Listening axis for traditional speaker

[gainphile]

Quick question... What is the best listening position for 2-way speakers? Should the ear be placed inline with the tweeters or between the tweeter and woofer?

I am building a speaker and do not have normal one ready to try out.

Thanks

[Ron E]

Depends on how it is designed. With an MTM you are locked on the tweeter axis (vertical polar response is symmetrical). Otherwise it could be above or below or at tweeter axis.

[gainphile]

Thank you. Seems like Tweeter axis more practical implementation then.

I am wondering why most floorstanders are so low which left the tweeters below the ears. This is different from bookshelves which the stand could be adjusted.

[Salas]

Originally posted by gainphile
Thank you. Seems like Tweeter axis more practical implementation then.

I am wondering why most floorstanders are so low which left the tweeters below the ears. This is different from bookshelves which the stand could be adjusted.

About your original question:

Talking about commercial speakers, Stereophile mag always picks the tweeter axis as reference.

About low floorstanders:

They try to make them unobtrusive and they sacrifice many things in commercial products. Some of the low ones make provisions in their crossover design though, and their manuals state that are sounding best when your ears are at their top panel level.

In general:

I would aim between the rims in a DIY 2 way, because the integration cone would be better, and I would make it as tall as it should.

[gainphile]

Good advice, and makes sense about the majority of commercial speakers design.

Thank you.

[ZilchLab]

Originally posted by gainphile
I am wondering why most floorstanders are so low which left the tweeters below the ears. This is different from bookshelves which the stand could be adjusted.

You use the term "Traditional."

In the case of vintage consoles and floorstanders, nobody knew any better, or cared. It was furniture.

The end tables played just fine, thank you, in which context, anything playing to the knees or above was obviously "High fidelity...."

[Rudolf]

I recommend downloading Xdir. This program will show you how crossover frequency, phase delay and different SPL levels will influence the beaming characteristics of a 2-way speaker.
Rudolf