Can I use speakers on their side?
ELAC speakers can function on their sides, but sound quality may vary due to timing differences between the tweeter and woofer. The Uni-Fi UB5, with its concentric driver, handles horizontal placement better and maintains more consistent audio performance.
Using ELAC Speakers on Their Sides: Performance Considerations
Some users choose to position their ELAC speakers horizontally (on their sides) due to space or aesthetic preferences. While this setup is possible, performance may vary depending on the speaker model and listener sensitivity.
Sound Imaging and Horizontal Placement
When traditional speakers are placed on their sides, the tweeter and woofer alignment shifts to a horizontal axis. This can create a lobbing effect, where the timing and alignment of high and low frequencies reaching your ears may become inconsistent. This phenomenon can affect the overall soundstage and imaging quality.
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Some listeners may not notice any difference.
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Others may detect changes in clarity or balance immediately.
Uni-Fi UB5: Better for Side Placement
The Uni-Fi UB5 is more resilient to these effects thanks to its concentric driver design, which aligns the tweeter and woofer on the same acoustic axis. This design helps maintain accurate timing and coherence even when the speaker is placed horizontally, making it a better choice for side positioning.
Recommendation
For optimal performance, it’s best to use speakers in their intended vertical orientation. However, if side placement is necessary, models with concentric drivers like the Uni-Fi UB5 will typically deliver more consistent results.