Floorstanding speakers: how to create the best sound system?
What are loudspeakers? Their task is to conjure up emotions worthy of the best concert halls and cinemas. When arranging the interiors of our homes, we are more and more willing to use floorstanding speakers, which are not only functional, but also serve as an extraordinary decoration for any space, both classic and modern.
Ideal floorstanding speakers: what to consider when buying?
The choice of a particular sound system is often determined primarily by the electrical power that the floorstanding speakers are able to accommodate. This power determines the strength of a particular device and the amount of current consumption needed to power it. However, when deciding to buy the right sound system, it is worth paying attention not only to the power that specific floor speakers achieve, but also to how they are designed. It is important to understand that the speaker cabinet has a direct impact on the acoustic pressure responsible for generating specific sound waves.
Another important feature of the sound system that impacts the decision to purchase a particular model is speaker configuration, i.e. the number of separate ways in which the sound frequencies are divided. In practice, we distinguish between two-way or three-way floor speakers. Another important feature of the sound system is the frequency range processed by floorstanding speakers. The frequency range is influenced by many factors, including the type of floor-standing speaker cabinet, the type of drivers used, and the size of the entire structure.
Another important parameter that determines the choice of a sound system is the maximum level of sound intensity that a particular speaker can generate without distortion. The last factor to consider when choosing a floorstanding speaker is the quality of such elements as the drivers used in the equipment, the wiring and the crossover. Contrary to appearances, speaker cables have a fundamental impact on the quality of the transmitted sound. They ensure that the sound reaches our ears without unnecessary resistance, distortion and delay.
How to set up floor speakers to fully perform their functions?
Floor speakers are responsible for emitting low, medium and high frequency sounds. They are placed directly on the floor, which means that they need adequate space around them to properly fulfill their functions. It is assumed that floor speakers delivering bass tones should be located at least half a meter away from the wall. In order to obtain a fully stereophonic sound, it is also important to properly distance the speakers in relation to each other.
It is worth remembering that when listening to music in an enclosed room, sound waves reach us both directly from the speakers and in the form of reflections from individual objects. Any sound coming out of a speaker reflects not only from the walls, floor or ceiling, but also from all other objects in the room. If the floor speakers are improperly spaced in relation to each other, the sounds coming out of them will interfere with each other, which will negatively affect the listening experience.
Proper placement of loudspeakers requires taking into account a number of guidelines: from the size of the floor speaker, through the type of the entire structure and finishing material, to the maximum values of individual parameters. The arrangement of each component resembles the positioning of musicians and their instruments on stage. Only the right harmony can ensure a spectacular effect. Floorstanding speakers have the advantage of being at an equal level, which directly affects the stereophonic quality of the sound.
Floor speakers: how to leverage their full potential?
Floor speakers require a relatively large free space. Only then will they be able to present their full potential. In order not to waste the capabilities of slender, but massive floor speakers, before the purchase it is worthwhile to take a close look at the space of the listening room and carefully plan the arrangement of all the elements included in the audio set.
In order to achieve a perfect stereo effect, it is worth remembering not only to maintain symmetry between the speakers and the listening area, but also the correct angle between our head and the left and right speakers, as well as the angle of their inflection. In irregularly shaped rooms, floor speakers can be arranged in corners, by directing them to the center of the room.
Proper positioning of speakers and furniture is so important that it is not always possible to adjust the quality of the sounds coming out with the amplifier knobs or equalizer. Many manufacturers include in their instructions guidelines on how to properly arrange the various components of a sound system. However, it is worth experimenting in this topic, because the effect can pleasantly surprise our senses.