Speaker placement: distance from walls and listening position

Before you decide

• Decision to record: Use placement to balance bass, stereo image and practical movement before relying on electronic correction.
• Comparison to make: Start with roughly symmetrical front speakers and a listening position that avoids sitting directly against a wall. Toe-in changes treble and image; boundary distance changes bass.
• Trade-off to accept: Manufacturer distances are starting points, not universal rules. Furniture, openings and room modes can make small moves more effective than a component upgrade.
• Evidence to verify: Mark positions, level-match comparisons and use familiar speech, bass and centred vocals while changing one variable at a time.