AV123 Strata mini, Enjoyment Manual

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When you take the time to place your speakers properly, you’ll realize better “imaging”
(the apparent lateral placement of individual instruments or voices), and more depth or
“layering”. You’ll hear those advantages because you’ll be avoiding the aural confusion
caused by so-called “first reflections” that complicate our perceptions when speakers are
too close to a wall’s large, flat, reflecting surface.
Should I “Toe In” the Strata Mini speakers?
That’s a question many enthusiasts ask us at AV123. Some
people like to “toe-in” their main speakers to get better
performance. This simply means aiming both Left and Right
speakers so that they point more towards the prime listening/
viewing position rather than straight ahead. “Toe-in” can improve
imaging and add a sense of spaciousness to the sound. In a 2-
channel system (with no discrete center channel speaker), this is
especially effective in creating a “phantom” center channel effect.
In addition to imaging improvements, toe-in can also change
your speaker’s tonal balance (or timbre).
For that reason, you may want to play with
toe-in to get the most out of your speakers. Some time spent
experimenting here can yield a better match to your room’s acoustic
properties, provide a clearer, more precise phantom center image,
or just better suit your own listening preferences. If you are using
Strata Mini loudspeakers as part of a home theater system and
actually have a center speaker operating in a matrix mode like Dolby
PLIIx, DTS Neo:6, or another “simulated” multi-channel mode, the
toe in positioning can also help blend that center channel.
Back Wall of Room
1/3
Primary Listening Position Primary Listening Position
LEFT RIGHT
Minimum of 3”
from Wall
2/3
Maintain the
same distance
to the listener
Back Wall of Room
1/3
Primary Listening Position Primary Listening Position
LEFT
RIGHT
2/3
NOT
RECOMMENDED!
Placement in rooms with
odd shaped back walls
should still align the
speaker distances equally
to the listening position.
Don’t rely on electronic
time delay correction to fix
these problems whenever
possible as the difference
in room shape cannot
always be accounted for
with a straight time delay.
“Toe In” of Left and Right Speakers
Primary Listening Position Primary Listening Position
LEFT
RIGHT