Quote:
DS-21 wrote:
 I disagree with the lattermost point, because one other benefit of toeing in speakers is that one minimizes interaction with the near side walls. If anything, at longer distances maximizing the direct sound compared to reflections becomes more important. |
Depends entirely on the speakers and distances involved. If the speaker has an off axis response at the reflection point that is very similar to the on axis response, and if the speaker system is of low resonance, and if the delay between on axis and arrival and reflection arrival at the listener is at least about 4msec, then the reflection is highly desirable. Such a reflection under these rare set of circumstances would be distinctly beneficial, increasing timbre resolution in the signal and increasing perceived sound quality and in better giving an impression of the recorded spatial information(if present), according to the credible perceptual [1][2] texts on this subject.
With many speakers, in many environments? Absorbing the reflection points is probably a benefit more often than not.
-Chris
Footnotes
[1]The Modification of Timbre by Resonances: Perception and Measurement", Floyd Toole, Sean Olive, JAES, Vol. 36, No. 3, 1988, March, pages 122-141
[2]Loudspeakers and Rooms for Sound Reproduction—A Scientific Review
Floyd E. Toole
JAES, June, 2006, Vol. 54, pages 451-476