Adjusting The Feet And/Or Spikes; Loudspeaker Placement And Room Acoustics - KEF Reference 201/2 Owner's Manual

Adjusting the Feet and/or Spikes

Under normal circumstances your loudspeakers
will be commissioned by your retailer or
consultant, who will have been trained in their
installation by KEF.
KEF strongly recommend that you do
not attempt to level your loudspeakers
single-handed.
Recruit the assistance of another adult -
or consult an authorised KEF Reference outlet
for assistance which may be chargeable if the
purchase was not made through them originally.
The spike/locking nut combination supplied is
designed to provide small adjustments, not to
compensate for seriously irregular floors.
A spirit level is provided with certain models to
gauge when the loudspeaker is perfectly level.
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A rigidly-sited loudspeaker performs better than
one that can move because it enables the cabinet
to remain fixed while the drive units are allowed
to move as determined by the source signal.
Best results will be obtained if the loudspeakers
are level and stable. Check the general stability
of each loudspeaker by gently rocking it from
side to side, front-to-back and diagonally.
Often, you will find that the loudspeaker is close
to vertical, but rocks because one spike (or two
spikes diagonally) seems too short.
If the general stability is good, but the
loudspeaker is leaning to left, right, backward or
forward, then equal minor adjustments to the
two spikes opposite to the direction of lean
should be made.
*
* Only supplied with
Model 207/2

Loudspeaker Placement and Room Acoustics

The listening room is one of the most variable
elements in the hi-fi chain and its effect cannot
be emphasised too strongly, nor can its effects be
reliably predicted. Spacing the loudspeakers
approximately 2m - 3m (6ft. - 10ft.) apart will
allow the stereo images to develop fully.
You should sit at a distance at least equal to and
preferably greater than the distance between
the loudspeakers.
Positioning the loudspeaker in a corner or near
to a side wall is not recommended as the
significant bass boost caused by this position will
affect the sound and cause the stereo image to
deteriorate. However, placement close to the
front wall is catered for in the Uni Balance
feature (see later). It is best to place the
loudspeakers symmetrically within the room,
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relative to the walls, ceiling and floor,
where possible.
Be aware also that soft furnishings near to a
loudspeaker will deaden the sound - similarly,
nearby reflective surfaces may brighten up the
sound. Move the loudspeakers until you are
satisfied that the sound is right and that the
stereo image is well defined.
Like all other KEF Uni-Q loudspeakers,
your Reference Series loudspeakers are
designed to be used with little or no 'toe-in'.
However if required a 'brighter', or 'sharper'
sound may be obtained by pointing the
loudspeakers directly towards the listening
position or adjusting the HF output
(via Uni Balance).
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