Energy Speaker Systems APS 5+2 - Manual (Page 6)

A u d i s s e y A P S 5 + 2 o w n e r s m a n u a l
5
ROOM ACOUSTICS AND SPEAKER PLACEMENT
ENERGY loudspeakers have been designed to provide high performance in a wide
variety of domestic settings. It is important to note however, that building structure,
dimensions and furnishings all play a part in the quality of sound you will ultimately
achieve. Where possible, the following should be taken into consideration when placing
ENERGY speakers in your listening room:
1. Low frequency performance (below 100 Hz) can be affected by the structure of the
room. A solid floor is preferred to avoid exaggeration of low frequencies.
2. Rooms with different height, width and length are preferable for best low frequency
performance.
3. Mid and high frequencies are affected by the mix of soft and hard furnishings in the
room. An excess of soft items such as curtains, carpets, sofas and wall coverings can
produce dull, lifeless sound reproduction. The same room without any soft furnishings
will produce a brighter, harder sound, so a balance of soft and hard furniture, floor and
wall coverings should be your goal for optimum sonic performance.
4. Most of the sound heard from a loudspeaker has been reflected from one or more
walls of the room. Usually, less than half the sound is heard directly from the
loudspeaker. The remaining information you hear has been reflected from the
surfaces of your room to create a life-like performance.
Reflective surfaces have individual sound absorption characteristics, and it is important
for good stereo perception that frequency response be the same from both left and
right channels. It is therefore important that consideration be paid to the left and
right reflecting walls. First, they should be symmetrical, equally spaced from the
speakers and the listeners. Second, they should have the same, or at least very similar
reflective properties.
EXAMPLE: A curtain on one wall and a painted surface on the opposite wall will
result in unbalanced reflections, which in turn, will affect the stereo image. Experiment
with toe-in/toe-out positioning of your speakers until best results are achieved.
5. ENERGY Bipolar loudspeakers are designed to be free standing.They should
therefore be positioned with an open space between the loudspeakers and the walls
of the listening room.
6. For best results, placement distance from the rear wall should not be the same as
from the side walls.The APS 5+2 should be positioned at least 18 inches (45cm)
from the back wall.(see figure 1)
7. Spiked feet are recommended for stability on carpeted floors.
8. The APS 5+2 pair should be placed 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m) apart.The distance from the
loudspeakers to the listener should be about 1 to 1.5 times the distance separating
the speakers. (see figure 1)