Magnepan MG 3.7 - Manual (Page 8)

12. Phasing
The Magneplanar 3.7i has superior phase characteristics. We suggest you resist
the tendency to place the speakers so they are parallel to the front wall. For
optimum phasing, the speakers should angled as shown in Figures 1 or 2.
Once you have located the ideal speaker position, a mark is helpful for quickly
replacing the speakers. A small tack, yarn woven into the carpet, or piece of
tape can be placed on the carpet so your ideal listening spot can be easily
relocated when the speakers (or chair) are moved for cleaning, etc. In the event
your ideal listening spot is inconvenient from the standpoint of the room
layout and decor, simply slide the speakers wherever they look best. For
background listening the speakers can be placed close to the wall and it will
make little difference.
The entire placement procedure may seem like a great deal of work, but is
necessary in the setup of any high quality system. The time and effort
expended should be necessary only once, and will repay the owner with
countless hours of musical enjoyment.
13. Room Acoustics
The judicious use of damping material can improve the sound. Acoustical
damping can be achieved with household items or wall hangings. A word of
caution--when audiophiles discover the effectiveness of damping material,
they sometimes overdo it (on the premise that if a little is good, more is
better). Before making a permanent change to your room, experiment with the
positioning of the damping material. Usually a portion of one or two parallel
walls should have some damping. However, it is a trial-and-error process.
An over-damped room will provide very precise imaging, but the sound will
seem “dead.” An under-damped room may heighten the illusion of being in a
concert hall, but the imaging will seem imprecise with all the instruments
mixed together. “Hardness” or over-bright sound is usually the result of a room
with hard surfaces (glass, hard paneling,etc.). Moderation is the key.
Diffusers are also helpful to improve the acoustics of a room. Contact your
Magnepan dealer for more information on the proper use of diffusers.
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