Try moving closer to the speakers and see what that does.

In my experience with my Vandersteens - I'm in an equilateral triangle 7' per side, with the speakers firing straight forward (no toe-in). I have mine about 2' from each side wall. I use mine about 18" from the wall behind them - I like the bit of extra bass reinforcement that gives me.
When I sit closer than 7' it sounds fine but better when 7' or further - I reckon the drive units integrate better once i'm back a certain distance.

Your experience and ears and room may be different of course. And my vandy's are 2Ci's, an earlier version than yours.

Hi Wig,

I purchased my 2Ce Sig. IIs almost a year ago, and I find their performance exceptional. Seven feet is the minimum recommended listening distance. The instructions in the manual for listening height are very specific, and don't forget the three inch high base is taken into consideration. Like BillB, I find that an equilateral triangle gives the best sound. With the speakers seven feet apart, you should be seven feet from each speaker. Try making the triangle eight feet on a side if you can. Experiment with height by crouching down at the listening position and slowly standing up while listening. It's easy to hear when the sound is just right. Trust your ears.

Good luck,

Bert

http://www.tnt-audio.com/casse/waspe.html

http://www.gcaudio.com/resources/howtos/speakerplacement.html

I could be wrong but I thought that Vandersteen speakers were "Time Coherent" and that if you sat too close the effect of having all of the sound from the various drivers arriving at the listening position at the same time would be lost. I know with Thiel speakers, which are also a "Time Coherent" design there is a minimum listening distance. Consulting the manual, the dealer that you purchased them from, or the manufacturer never hurts. Speaker placement always requires some experimentation but starting with the manufacturers standard recommendations always makes sense, then work from there.

Thanks Guys,

I'll try more experimenting with toe-in and listening distance. My previuos Thiels 2.3 were good at 9' listening distance, seperated 8-9' apart with about 1/4" toe-in. Should I increase the tilt back to 3 1/2" for this close distance?

Thanks,
Wig

Quote:
Should I increase the tilt back to 3 1/2" for this close distance?

At nine feet from the speakers, and a listening height of 43 inches, the chart in the manual says tilt back should be slightly less than 3 inches. Do you have the manual? I could scan the listening height section and get it to you somehow.

bertdw,

I had a hard time distinguishing the graph so I call Vandersteen two weeks ago and customer service said 3", I probably should have spoken to a tech. Will I lose any coherence or will it render a sweeter mid-range with the extra tilt? From your experience, you reccomend listening distance same a speaker width?

Thanks,
Wig

Extra tilt will give the same results as a slightly lower listening position. It's easier to move your ears, try it! I've found that too much tilt, or a lower listening height will make the sound warmer (more mid-bass, less mid-range and treble) while smearing transients.

As for your second question, yes, I recommend listening at the same distance from each speaker as the speakers are from each other. If your speakers are seven feet apart, you should be seven feet from each speaker, not seven feet from a point between the speakers. This really opens up the soundstage.

Let me know if this isn't clear.

Bert

Thanks Bert, I've corrected the tilt and toe-in to 0 degs. and will try the listening distance later tonight. I'll have to make sure the listening distance is equal.

Wig

Tried listening at 7' definitely more ambience and almost there feeling but lacks the detail and transients at 9'. What should the tilt be at 7' at a height of 43"? I placed a quarter under the rear spike which is tilted at 3" and I believe what you say is true because it sounded better at 7& 9' and I'll just have to play around before making permanent changes.

Thanks,
Wig

At seven feet from the speakers and a 43 inch height, the tilt back should be 3 1/2 inches. Are you getting the hang of the chart yet? I think the improvement you noticed is from listening at the same distance that the speakers are from each other, the "equilateral triange." Getting the tilt right will be the icing on the cake.

I still think eight feet would be better (distance between speakers and listening distance). Can you move the speaker that's farther from the side wall?

Bert,

I'm finally getting the hang of it. I have a computer and desk near one speaker so I can't move them 8' apart, but I may be able to move one speaker over one foot which will that that speaker about 24" from the side wall. The left speaker is 56" from the side wall and if i pushed it over one foot I wouldn't be able to open the drawers. I'll see if I can just move each speaker 6" and be at the required 8 triangle. It looks like at 8' the tilt will be 3.25-3.33 right?

Thanks again,
Wig

I'd say slightly less than 3.25, since the mark for 8 feet and 43 inches falls between the 3 and 3.5 lines, but closer to 3. I think at this point I'd be saying "close enough." Also, eight feet is only my recommendation, not a requirement. Give it a try, and don't forget to trust your ears. Let me know how it works out?