Tweeter at ear height?

[James S.]

I am posting to get your thoughts on my front speaker positioning. As seems to be the standard, it is recommended to aim the speakers so the tweeter is at ear height. I have SVS Prime Pinnacles where the midrange is mounted above the tweeter. Would it still be recommended to have the tweeter at ear height? That would have the midrange aimed slightly overhead. Thanks.

 

[shadyJ]

I am posting to get your thoughts on my front speaker positioning. As seems to be the standard, it is recommended to aim the speakers so the tweeter is at ear height. I have SVS Prime Pinnacles where the midrange is mounted above the tweeter. Would it still be recommended to have the tweeter at ear height? That would have the midrange aimed slightly overhead. Thanks.

With dome tweeters, you usually have a little flexibility on the vertical axis. You should still stay within a +/- 10 degree angle of the tweeter. That is pretty easy to do especially if you are not seated close to the speaker.

 

[James S.]

I sit about 11ft back, give or take a few inches. Would you recommend aiming the midrange at ear level as long as the tweeter is within 10 degrees of that? Or still aim the tweeter at ear level?

 

[-Jim-]

SVS Prime Pinnacles are over 40 inches high and SVS designed them to be floor standing. I wouldn't elevate them.

 

[James S.]

I wasn't going to elevate them, but I can angle them. They have adjustable feet so I could angle them so the tweeter points at ear level.

 

[James S.]

My seated ear height is around 40". The tweeter is at 33". Which is why I was thinking they should be angled up at bit, like I have my center angled up slightly. But then that has the midrange pointing slightly overhead.

 

[ryanosaur]

As was said before, just get yourself so the tweeter is firing at ear level ideally, whether you elevate the whole speaker or tip it slightly. If you are within that 10° range of on axis (vertical), you should be good.

 

[ryanosaur]

My seated ear height is around 40". The tweeter is at 33". Which is why I was thinking they should be angled up at bit, like I have my center angled up slightly. But then that has the midrange pointing slightly overhead.

The wavelengths of the low and middle frequencies are larger and more forgiving, this is why you don't see instructions to have all drivers aimed at your ears.

 

[James S.]

Will do. Thanks, guys.

 

[ryanosaur]

Will do. Thanks, guys.

Just for kicks, I looked to see if there was a vertical plot for the Prime Pinnacle and didn't see one. Shady isn't really able to do vertical plots in his testing due to the complexities of trying to balance a 60# Tower Speaker on a turntable 8' in the air...
(Such a wuss...)

((Just playin', Shady... you know you rock! <3 ))

Anyway, the guys with a Klippel NFS like Erin or Amir can measure vertical directivity characteristics. Usually, though, it is rare to find a Speaker with such poor off-axis performance that staying within that ±10º rule of thumb is a pretty safe approach. Not foolproof, mind, but pretty safe.

If you want to see what some vertical charts look like, just look at pretty much any Speaker review from Erin's Audio Corner or ASR. That Klippel NFS does pretty much all the hard work for them.

Just for kicks, here is Amir's review of the Ultra Bookshelf from SVS. It may use the same Twwet, IIRC, but the characteristics can change due to cabinet and other drivers.

SVS Ultra Bookshelf Speaker Review

This is a review and detailed measurements of the SVS Ultra 2-way Bookshelf speaker. It is on kind loan from a local member and costs US $999 for a pair on Amazon including Prime shipping. The sample I received has wood grain but what is on sale is glossy finish: There are dual binding...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[James S.]

Thanks for the additional info.

 

[shadyJ]

My seated ear height is around 40". The tweeter is at 33". Which is why I was thinking they should be angled up at bit, like I have my center angled up slightly. But then that has the midrange pointing slightly overhead.

At a seated height of 40" with a listening distance of 11', you are fine. No need to change anything, all the drivers will be playing happily together where you are listening.

 

[James S.]

Thanks, shadyJ.