I have a pair of S5s arriving next week, and since they weigh almost 200 pounds each I want the first setup to be close to the final setup. Since they are sealed speakers I am wondering if placement from the back is as critical as with ported speakers. What distance from the front baffle to the rear wall do you suggest?
Bud,
The S5s are not as critical in placement as ported speakers. I have mine set up playing the corner with very good results, but if space is there, they do well with as little as 1/12 feet back of speaker to wall to 4-5 feet. I got hold of some $6 sliding pads from Home Depot, and when the speakers came in, we placed the speakers on these pads, and moved them around easily (hard wood floors). They also make some you can use on carpeted floors, and if that is what you need, maybe someone else can chime in as to how well they work. We live on the second floor of a beach house, and we uncreated the speakers below, wrapped them well with blankets, and moved them upstairs with the dolly. You'll need help, and it was the best $100. I paid the freight delivery guy I've ever spent. Get your dealer to send you the unpacking instructions if he's not going to be there. We had both my speakers unpacked, and moved upstairs in under an hour. I placed the speakers in a reasonable location, listened for a day, and then put the spikes under them for another 1000 hours of burn in. The bass really comes up in the 500- 800 hours so you will probably tweak them after then. They are movable on hard wood floors for small increments while on the spike and cups. Have fun, enjoy, and let me know your thoughts AFTER 500-800 hours.
Barry