Vandersteen Audio
3
Model lCi+ Operation Manual
20
17
72
43 31 24
We use the same method to figure how far the centers
of the speakers should be from the side walls. We take the
width of the room, (14 feet) convert it from feet to inches,
(14 x 12 = 168) and divide the result by odd numbers.
168 divided by 3 is 56 (all to the nearest inch)
168 divided by 5 is 34
168 divided by 7 is 24
168 divided by 9 is 19
168 divided by 11 is 15
The results of these odd number divisions are the distances
in inches that the center of each speaker can be placed into
the width of the room, away from the side wall, to minimize
nodes and anti-nodes.
Now we can graph these odd dimensions distances on
the room drawing and see the intersection points of the
lines. These points represent where the centers of the
speakers can be placed to minimize nodes and anti-nodes.
24
34
56
56
24
15
72
43 31 24
As you can see, we have many intersections to choose
from in our example room. Some of the intersections in
your room will probably be eliminated by aesthetic or room
function considerations, so you may have less.
As you try different placements for your speakers, al-
ways place both speakers on the same length line. For ex-
ample, both speakers would be placed on the 43-inch line or
both speakers would be placed on the 24-inch line. The
speakers can be placed on different width lines, for example
one on the 34-inch line and the other on the 56-inch line.
Placing the speakers on different rather than matching
width lines will require that the listening position be offset
to center it between the speakers. Often, the bass response
of the system will be slightly more linear with the speakers
placed on different width lines, (asymmetrical placement)
while the imaging will often be better with the speakers
placed on matching width lines (symmetrical placement).
After listening to the speakers centered on the charted
intersections, you should listen with the speakers a couple
of inches away from the intersection points in each direc-
tion. In some cases, the speakers will sound better slightly
off the intersections due to the particular characteristics of
your room or a slight error in your original room measure-
ments. Both speakers should be moved the same amount
forward or backward when fine-tuning placement.
Several factors influence how speakers interface with a
room other than the room's basic dimensions so it is pos-
sible that none of the placement options on the wall you ini-
tially place the speakers on will sound quite right. The
sound may have too much or too little bass or be too for-
ward or too withdrawn. If you are unable to achieve satisfac-
tory sound with the speakers placed on one wall, try placing
the speakers on another wall of the room. Even in a rectan-
gular room, the speakers will interface differently with the
room depending upon which of the four walls they are
placed. In some rooms the speakers will sound best on a
short wall while in other rooms the speakers will work bet-
ter on a long wall.
THIRD DIMENSIONS PLACEMENT
A placement method that provides some unique effects
is to place each speaker on the thirds of the room measure-
ments and the listening position on the third of the length.
The speakers are placed one third the length of the room
from the wall behind them and one third the width of the
room from the walls alongside them. The listening position
is then placed one third the length of the room from the
wall behind it.
Speaker
Listening
Position
56
56
Speaker
72
72
In our 14 by 18 foot example room, the thirds are 72 in-
ches in the long dimension and 56 inches in the short dimen-
sion. The intersections of these measurements are used for
third dimensions placement. In addition, the listening posi-
tion is placcd 72 inches from the rear wall of the room.
Both speakers should be tried up to two inches ahead
and behind the intersections to determine if this improves
the sound. Both speakers should be moved the same
