peterfranks
Super Member
After a week or so of listening, I've discovered that (surprise, surprise) placement of these speakers is huge! I've found they sound much better away from the wall. The sound flattens out significantly and the "scooped" sound I had mentioned before is reduced. I think because there are 9 tweeters to the single mid, the wall can greatly increase the high frequencies and disrupt the balance with the midrange driver, which could account for the "scooped" sound. I'd love to see how'd these sound in the middle of a room, or maybe even some sort of 'baffling' behind them against the wall. Thoughts?
I'm going to ask the original owner and see if he was told anything by the salesman in terms of their recommended placement.
Thanks for posting this observation. As noted in my thread on the KLH Model Twenty-Eights (omnidirectional speakers), we feel they produce the best sound when within a couple inches of the wall which produced better sound reflection and better stereo imaging - the opposite of yours.
If you can ask the original owner his experience when purchasing the D12s that might reveal some good information (example: how they were set-up in the store). These speaker makers all jumped into the "omnidirectional sound" arena and were trying to obtain certain results. Your post as well as others seem to indicate that speaker placement could be a make or break deal on the sound - more so than with just forward facing drivers. Would be interesting on speaker placement recommendations as per the manufacturers or dealers.
Thanks!