I was reading about Ken Ishiwata's preference for radical speaker toe-in--generally with the speaker axis crossing in front of the listener--on another forum, and realised I'd never tried it.
Speculations about the purpose range from "larger sweet spot" to "reducing room distortions" and much in between. Ken says "That's the way it sounds best." and I didn't find any other information about "why" or "how" from him. Some Stereophile reviewers indicate that this is their standard set-up. Ken just says try it and judge for yourself. Give it some time to appreciate the differences from parallel or an axis cross behind the listener.
So I am. The speaker axis now crosses about a metre in front of my ears.
So far here's what I've noticed:
The soundstage is narrower (mostly) and the sound not so spacious. Some tracks still have sounds "outside the speakers".
The soundstage image is also much more focussed and precise, and somehow "tighter" and more consistent.
I think the bass is better.
I think the detail is better.
The sweet spot is larger--moving my head from side-to-side no longer changes the image placement.
It's an interesting presentation and I like lots about it and will leave it like this and see how it wears.
Does anyone else use this set-up, or has tried it and given it up? I'm really interested to hear comments.
Greg