Ear level problems?

[timmyleohoward]

I've got two Paradigm studio reference 100 towers and the only space is on a two foot tall counter. I don't want to downgrade to bookshelves. How important is it for the front L&R to be ear level?

 

[NINaudio]

Ideally you want the tweeters to be at ear level with your listening position. I'd imagine having them that high would alter the sound when you're sitting down and listening to music or watching a movie.

 

[sizzam]

Ideally you want the tweeters to be at ear level with your listening position. I'd imagine having them that high would alter the sound when you're sitting down and listening to music or watching a movie.

My mains tweeters are a good 6' away but id say around 1' below my ears but the receiver compensates for that with software and the imaging is spot on.

 

[ryanosaur]

Vertical dispersion of a speaker is usually much poorer than the horizontal dispersion. Where a good speaker design may allow great leniency in audibility across the soundstage... once you stand up... that's the bugaboo!

In general, I'd say that within 15º off axis is a necessity for most speakers in vertical dispersion. This gets complicated by XO design even more as sometimes you will find speakers with an upward tilt to the radiating pattern.

It is always well worth experimenting with placement.

My advice is to know how high your ear-holes are when you sit at your LP... how high is it to the center of the tweeter... How far you sit... Do a little MATH: High-School Geometry! You can figure that out pretty easily, if you are within the sweet spot.

 

[timmyleohoward]

Vertical dispersion of a speaker is usually much poorer than the horizontal dispersion. Where a good speaker design may allow great leniency in audibility across the soundstage... once you stand up... that's the bugaboo!

In general, I'd say that within 15º off axis is a necessity for most speakers in vertical dispersion. This gets complicated by XO design even more as sometimes you will find speakers with an upward tilt to the radiating pattern.

It is always well worth experimenting with placement.

My advice is to know how high your ear-holes are when you sit at your LP... how high is it to the center of the tweeter... How far you sit... Do a little MATH: High-School Geometry! You can figure that out pretty easily, if you are within the sweet spot.

15' away, 2' above...

 

[timmyleohoward]

15' away, 2' above...

They sound the same when I stand up and when I sit in my LP...

 

[KEW]

They sound the same when I stand up and when I sit in my LP...

That is the ultimate test!
Consider yourself lucky and enjoy!

 

[ryanosaur]

15' away, 2' above...

If your measurements are sound, you are 7.5º off axis.
as @KEW said:

Consider yourself lucky and enjoy!