Naim Audio Ovator S-800 - Manual (Page 5)

E4
OVATOR S-800, S-600 & S-400 – English
4.1 Positioning
The performance of any loudspeaker will be influenced
by the room and position in which it is located. Even small
changes of loudspeaker position can significantly influence
the sound. Changes of room contents, the introduction of
significant piece of furniture for example, can also have an
effect.
The following paragraphs constitute only a general guide
to Ovator positioning. Every listening room is different and
you may find an alternative positioning solution works best
in yours.
In general, try to choose a site for the speakers where they
are located between 2.0 metres and 4.0 metres apart,
clear of room corners, and where each one is between
0.25 metres and 1.0 metre away from a solid rear wall.
The distance between the speakers and the rear wall is
the aspect of positioning most likely to require
adjustment as the speakers run-in and you
become familiar with their performance in your
room.
If the Ovator is moved closer to the rear wall the
low frequency elements of music will become
more prominent. However this may be at the
expense of bass clarity and timing.
Note: There is no need to angle the Ovator
inwards towards the listening position but doing so
may be a useful fine-tuning adjustment.
The primary listening position should be central
between the loudspeakers approximately the
same distance away as they are apart.
Try to position each Ovator within a similar “near-
field” acoustic environment and with similar
acoustic characteristics along the side walls
towards the listening position.
Note: Different near-field acoustic environments
and characteristics would be created by, for
example, heavy curtains and glass windows, or a
plasterboard wall with and without bookshelves.
Diagram 4.2 illustrates the positioning guidelines
described above.
right
loudspeaker
left
loudspeaker
2.0m to 4.0m
listening
position
> 0.5m
0.25 to 1.0m
4.2 Room Layout
near-field acoustic
environment
2.0m to 4.0m
4 Installation
Once your Ovators are fully unpacked they may be manoeuvred into their initial working
positions. Take care that the floor-spikes do not cause damage or personal injury. The
S-800 and S-600 incorporate BMR transit screws. These should not be removed until the
speakers are installed in their final positions. The S-400 incorporates no transit screws.
Positioning guidelines are provided in the following paragraphs but you should be
prepared to make positioning adjustments as the speakers “run-in” and as you become
more familiar with them.
Ovator loudspeakers are not magnetically shielded and should be kept well away from
CRT displays and other magnetically sensitive items.