S3A Orientation and Nodes

[dwaynedelario]

Hey all,

Before I take the serious plunge into acoustic treatment, I was wondering if you think I could improve the sweet spot at the listening position (and by improve I mean even out) by changing the orientation of my S3A's. Currently I have them horizontal with speaker A on the left, B on the right. I am getting peaks at 60Hz and 135Hz, with dips around 90Hz and 250Hz. Its a large room but I am monitoring in a fairly small triangle. Just wondering if anyone has any experimentation ideas before I have to drop the cash on traps etc.

I haven't had major translation problems but I definitely need to check reference mixes all the time to make sure my low end is in order. All suggestions welcome! Thanks.

[dwaynedelario]

I should add that they are mounted on stands with the additional decoupling aid of recoil stabilizers.

[jwl]

I couldn't see your image. How do you have the room laid out?

[DanDan]

I don't think the orientation of your S3A's will change the bass response noticeably. The wavelengths of bass frequencies are much much larger than the speaker. If you had a height mode issue it is slightly possible that you could place the LF woofer in a null. You will probably want to keep the tweeter near or at ear height so overall I don't think there is much to explore in that avenue.
I do recommend that you experiment with the distance from the front wall, and your mix position. Your software will help you find the optimum spots.
DD
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[dwaynedelario]

Thanks for the info. Some composers that I work with who also have the ADAMs have been told different stories by different engineers... vertical with B on the right... horizontal with B on the left etc etc. These things probably do affect the stereo image but like you say, probably not the bass response in the room. I do believe they may be too close to the front wall.. will try moving them back.

[roscoenyc]

If you go vertical you'll want the full range speaker (of the 2) closest to ear level on the horizontal plane. The Adam guys have told me it is all up to you and your room. But make sure that you rotate the tweeter if you change to vertical.

It is easy to rotate the tweeter.

[DanDan]

Hi Ros, I have not heard of tweeter rotation. Did this come from ADAM or where?
DD

[roscoenyc]

Yep,
the guys from ADAM told me about the ribbon tweeter rotation at the AES show.

If you look at pics of their speakers the the tweeter 'ports' are always
horizontal. 4 screws to loosen to turn them.

[DanDan]

Thank you Ros, I will try it.
DD

[DanDan]

I rotated my tweeters. Slightly brighter airy impression, no big. However I have seen some frequency graphs with various off axis responses, H and V.
Vertical looks much much better.
DD