Speaker Tonality and Tweeter Direction

[James Edward]

More thoughts as I'm trying out some new speakers... Interestingly, at least for me, is that these sound smoother with the tweeters pointed directly at me. This seems counterintuitive, but there it is. There is some sort of I don't know what in the center protective screen of the tweeter. Is this dispersing the highs off to the sides? I imagine so.
The imaging is also spot on by this positioning. That makes perfect sense, but the tweeter smoothing I find contradictory.
Please comment on this if you care to.
Jim

[James Edward]

As usual, further research brings forth answers. It seems a big part of toeing in speakers is that it removes the room somewhat from the sound. As speakers are angled inward, early reflections from the side walls are reduced. This makes sense. Of course the tweeter design itself plays a role too, and I'll need to read further about that.
Not really in the same vein, but more toe-in makes for better off-axis listening in my living room. The angle reduces output of the speaker closest to me, and the farther one is pointing more toward me.
Thanks and back to your regularly scheduled listening...

[Nick B]

As usual, further research brings forth answers. It seems a big part of toeing in speakers is that it removes the room somewhat from the sound. As speakers are angled inward, early reflections from the side walls are reduced. This makes sense. Of course the tweeter design itself plays a role too, and I'll need to read further about that.
Not really in the same vein, but more toe-in makes for better off-axis listening in my living room. The angle reduces output of the speaker closest to me, and the farther one is pointing more toward me.
Thanks and back to your regularly scheduled listening...

My listening room has some glass panels on the left side. When slightly toed out, the sound becomes more like a cathedral, which is quite pleasant on some recordings. The harshness I had in my system was finally tamed with the combination of an Uber and different cabling.
I'm quite curious what speakers you'll end up with 

[BobM]

Every speaker will react differently with your room. Some have a wide dispersion and require first reflection absorption. Other tweeters beam and work better with more toe-in.

I would try the following until you get a sound you like. Start with the speakers firing straight ahead and put some absorptive stuff on those side walls. Second, start toeing them in an inch or two at a time and see how the sound changes. Third, even try crossing the axis of the tweeter in front of your listening position. Believe it or not some people say an extreme toe in works best for them

You also didn't say what speakers they are. There may be a forum discussion this very issue with that model.