We carefully choose our bookshelf speakers and we selected each element of our high-end audio system. Even if we invested a lot of efforts and resources, the sound is still not as we would like to be.
What if the problem isn’t in the elements, but in their positioning?
Here below there are five golden rules to better position your bookshelf speakers. Note that everyone has their own preferences, so there is no definitive answer as to where your speakers should be.
1. Stay focused on the final goal
The first rule, when planning the layout of your listening room, is likely the most complex: you need to keep in mind the final goal. What does this mean? If you dream about having your system near a big window, but you are still looking for the right sofa, take the couch first! It’s better to start working on your music space when other variables are defined. Although bookshelf loudspeakers are very versatile, they cannot be positioned anywhere in the room: it’s better, for example, to avoid placing them too close to the wall or close to glassware or windows. So, if you want to start placing your speakers, carry out the home decor!
2. Look at the clock hand
One of the golden rules of High Fidelity regards the loudspeakers positioning in relation to the listening position. Bookshelf loudspeakers should be oriented at 10 and 10, angling them towards the preferred listening position. We should always remember that it’s usually advised to have loudspeakers’ tweeter at ear height.
3. Watch out for vibrations
If you put the bookshelf speakers above a shelf or a table, you probably need to work harder to space out and isolate the cabinet from the surface, maybe placing decoupling material such as feet or tips between the speaker base and the surface. This is to prevent vibrations that could ruin the sound transparency. Precisely for this reason Electa Amator III and Minima Amator II already have decoupling silicone feet. Moreover, the bottoms of the Sonetto I and Sonetto II loudspeakers are already raised with the aim of making easier the positioning on a shelf.
If you prefer to use a stand, make sure to choose the recommended stand for that speaker, or at least a completely suitable model.
4. Leave space
If spaces are small or if your sound room project includes a large coffee table in the middle, it’s better to pay attention to the distance between speakers and any furniture, the back and the side walls. In general terms, a distance of less than 50 cm from the walls is never advisable. Similarly, if the speakers are placed on a shelf, try to leave air and space around the speakers to avoid unwanted alterations with the low frequencies, creating the classic “rumble” effect.
This is always true unless your speaker is part of our Sonetto collection.
The special design of the base support of Sonetto bookshelf speakers has been specifically designed to let the air going through the reflex port from the front of the speaker. This allows you to place your bookshelf speaker with much less concerns!
5. Beware of objects around the speaker
Although style and design are necessary elements for making a listening room enjoyable, it could be better to avoid placing the speakers in close proximity of blank walls, large windows, floors without carpets. Beware that the presence of carpets and curtains positively affect the acoustics of the environment, contributing to the absorption of the first reflections and the lowering of reverberation.
