10.
Stereo Width and Imaging
Once you have located the best position for the speakers and your chair for bass performance, separate the
speakers by 50-60% of the distance from your chair to the speakers. For example, if your chair is 10 feet from
the speakers, move the speakers 5-6 feet apart. Now, move the speakers apart in increments of 3 or 4 inches at
a time, listening carefully at each position. At some point you will start to hear two separate speakers instead of a
stage effect or continuous image. When this occurs, your speakers are too far apart. Begin moving the speakers
back in small increments until you notice a point at which you achieve one cohesive sound stage. For best
imaging, angle the speakers so they are on axis with the listening position as shown in Fig. 1.
11.
Left/Right
The 1.7's are matched pairs and mirror-imaged. The serial number for each speaker in the pair is the same,
except for a "1" or "2" following each serial number. As you face the front of the speakers, the speaker with the
serial number ending with the "1" after its serial number has the tweeter near the left edge, and the speaker serial
number ending with the "2" has the tweeter near the right edge. Depending upon the acoustics of your room, the
imaging and sound stage will be better with the tweeters on the inside or the outside.
12.
Phasing
The Magneplanar 1.7 has superior phase characteristics. We suggest you resist the tendency to place the
speakers so they are parallel to the front wall. For optimum phasing, the speaker should be on axis with the
listening position as shown in Fig. 1. This requires a certain degree of toe-in, especially if the speakers are placed
with the tweeters on the inside.
Once you have located the ideal speaker position, a mark is helpful for quickly replacing the speakers. A small
tack, yarn woven into the carpet, or piece of tape can be placed on the carpet so your ideal listening spot can be
easily relocated when the speakers (or chair) are moved for cleaning, etc. In the event your ideal listening spot is
inconvenient from the standpoint of the room layout and decor, simply slide the speakers wherever they look
best. For background listening the speakers can be placed close to the wall and it will make little difference.
The entire placement procedure may seem like a great deal of work, but is necessary in the setup of any high
quality system. The time and effort expended should be necessary only once, and will repay the owner with
countless hours of musical enjoyment.
Fig. 1