Was watching Audioholics this evening and they were talking about cross-firing speakers for maximizing the sweetspot.

Have you all tried it with Tritons in the fronts?
2-channel or as home theater?

Is it viable?

At about the 14min mark the discussion starts.

I've tried it, and don't like it at all. Sandy's setup tips are spot on, at least in my case.

I haven't watched the video you posted, but understand the concept. Succinctly, left speaker pointing at right ear, right speaker pointing at left.

No reason to do this unless you have no choice due to poor seating (with respect to speaker placement). The music axis becomes in front of the listener as opposed to *directly* behind the listener, in an optimized situation.

Of course, like most things in life, there is a degree of subjectivity involved. So, if you try cross firing and prefer it to non cross firing, then "who's to say"? Ultimately you need to setup/position your speakers in such a way that it makes most sense (sounds best) to *you*.

The afformentioned stated, I know from my personal experience that folks with hi-end systems do not configure the speakers in such an arrangement, not do concert halls.

BUT...I do suspect there are use cases where cross firing could be sonically advantageous, or at least preferred.

If you have the luxury of trying both cross firing and non cross firing configurations (which I do/have), try both and settle on what you prefer.

I'd like to add to my previous post to state that what I've indicated assumes a two channel *stereo* environment.

If you're listening only to mono recordings and/or have multi-channel (many speakers firing) going on, conceivably results could be different from two channel stereo.

In my two channel stereo setup, I've listened to plenty of mono recordings and they too sound terrific with a non cross firing speaker arrangement. I've never had any experience with multi channel though.

Lastly, just making another point here, which is that if you look at very large concert venues (and I understand large concert venues are not considered near field or should be compared to a home environment), but consider outdoor concerts at Glastonbury. You'll note that the overwhelming majority of concert goers are *inside* the left-right axis point of the speakers. Only the very few and very distant from stage concert goers are *outside* the left-right axis point of the speakers and, therefore, in the cross firing zone.

As GDHAL says, whatever works for you. Nothing beats some experimenting.

I suspect most of us have tried various speaker angles. I started out with left speaker aimed at left ear, right at right, gradually aimed them a couple feet in back of the listening position, I.E. out just a little more. It seemed to add some depth to the sound stage. Probably room first reflections and how well they're damped/diffused plays a role also.

Happy listening!

Rick

You know, out of curiosity I did take a look/listen to video at the 14 min mark where the group (3) speak about this. Seems to me the point is raised in cases where you *want* there to be more than one sweet spot (PLP and/or PVP). Not typical, if you ask me. No doubt in my mind that there can only be *one* true PLP/PVP. True being the operative word.

Yeah the thing is my space is mixed use and, while unconventional, I'd like others to be able to sit with me and enjoy some listening; not going totally solo.

Thanks guys!