Avalon Acoustics Isis - Manual (Page 13)

13
Toe-In
Adjusting the toe-in angle of the speakers is useful in tailoring the sound to
best match the characteristics of your system and listening room.
When the speakers are facing straight forward, they tend to create a large,
expansive sound-stage, painted with broad brush strokes. As they are rotated
toward the listening position, the image becomes more compact, with
increased focus, creating a greater sense of intimacy. Pointing the speakers
inward is also helpful in situations where strong reflections from the side walls
are a problem.
Start with the loudspeakers facing straight forward, and play either a mono
source, or a stereo source with a distinct center image, through both
channels. Carefully rotate the loudspeakers inward in small increments to
bring the image in precise center focus (small adjustments can be made with
the speaker on Apex™ couplers). Toe-in adjustment is rather delicate, and
experimentation is necessary to achieve the proper angle for your listening
situation. The optimum angle is usually between three and ten degrees
inward.
Apex™ Couplers
Supplied with your A VALON A COUSTICS loudspeakers are six Apex™ couplers,
used to couple the speakers to the floor, thereby minimizing time-smearing
resonance effects. The result is an increase in focus and solidity of the sonic
images.
On hardwood floors, you may protect the floor from the pointed spike using a
large coin, such as a quarter. However, the coupling effect of the Apex™
couplers will be reduced.
Once you have located the proper position and toe-in angle for your A
VALON
A COUSTICS loudspeakers, place the couplers under the speaker bases. It is
easiest to install the couplers with the assistance of a friend. Lean the speaker
forward first, and position two couplers pointing downward, one under each
rear corner. Then lean the speaker backward and place one Apex™ coupler
under the front center of the base.
IMPORTANT: It is imperative that the Apex™ Couplers are utilized, in order to
insure that the bottoms of the loudspeakers are not blocked. This is especially
important on thick carpeting.