Nearfields at Equilateral Triangle: Minimum distance?

[Saudade]

After re-arranging my mix space and calibrating it with a SPL meter to K-system (or I thought I did it correctly to K standards), I ended up with a equilateral triangle with just 57cm (!!!) for all sides. I used rockwool to basstrap two rear corners of the room floor to wall and treat the 1st reflection points.

I did everything I could based on my budget and severe space constraints. (it's a 3m x 3m space)

Now everything sounds very dry (in a gd but scarily revealing way) but the more significant difference I noticed is the stereo image seems to be a bit....weird And that the LCD monitor I have in between the two speakers affects the stereo image drastically depending on how far back it is pushed. When it is upfront with its two sides almost touching the speakers, it sounds better. But when I push it backwards, it sounds like there is a hole in the middle.

My questions:

1. Is there a physical limit of how close nearfields can be? Is 57cm a ridiculous futile attempt in placement for accuracy?

2. WHere should the LCD monitor be? Although it sounds better when upfront logically I think it should be screwing with the side reflections off it, so does the distance help or aggravate it?

Thanks for any help

[Weasel9992]

57cm is pretty close even for nearfields. Your speaker manufacturer probably has some specs that deal with this specifically. For example JBL recommends that I place my 4328's in a 60 degree equilateral triangle; obviously that means that they'll be the same distance apart from each other as they are from me. The limitation is this: as you get closer to your monitors, they get closer to each other until they eventually meet in the middle, but you'll blow your stereo image way before that.

At this point you're less than 2' from your speakers...I wouldn't get any closer. That also tells me that your monitoring position is in the wrong place (see below). As far as your video monitor goes, I think you're getting reflections from your speakers that are screwing with your image. Any chance you can move it elsewhere? For instance, I have mine placed on a rack to my right to avoid this exact issue.

What I'd do if I were you is start from scratch with the basics of setup: if your room is just short of 10', then your head should be at around 3'8" into the room. After you get that settled you should be able to come up with a comfortable triangle for your speakers.

Frank

[Saudade]

Thanks Frank.

Well that pretty much confirmed my worst fears....yeah I read about the 38% rule too, but it is impossible to apply in the space I have due to the size of the furniture. And because I had to place the subwoofer further from me in order for it to be aligned to the same "firing line" as the satellites on the table.

I am using Bluesky Mediadesk 2.1....no recommendations on minimum distances. The 57cm is the furthest spread apart I could go, given the length of the desk the satellites are already perched precariously on its edges (Obviously there is no space for speaker stands here )

On the left side of the table is the door, the right side is a 60U (!!!) vertical flight case type rack flushed to the corner. Right behind me are windows. Cabinets on both rear sides.

I can't move the LCD monitor much except push it further back too. Guess I am quite screwed

[Weasel9992]

A room like this is tough. Could you fabricate some monitor stands that would attatch to the desk? I could imagine several ways to do it that would cantelever the monitors out to the right and left a bit more while leaving them at ear level. If you want to look at pre-fabricated products, try Peerless mounts *http://www.peerlessmounts.com/en/dyn...categoryID/196

Frank