Play 5 gen 2 as a stereo pair

Just to clarify new play 5 will be situated in the right of the pic

Be sure to Trueplay tune the speaker(s). In that position the sound could otherwise be horribly coloured by the proximity of the ceiling/walls/cupboards.

Hello PadNyl :)

Great to hear you are liking your Play 5. I love my pair as well!

It is definitely possible to have a stereo pair of Play 5's in the horizontal position. As a matter of fact after much testing, I have found myself preferring the pair in this position. It is largely a matter of preference, but as to objective statements, the vertical configuration gives you a more focused sweet spot between the speakers, while the horizontal position gives you a wider (and in my opinion deeper) sound-stage. As your speakers will be placed in your kitchen I assume you will not spend much time standing in the exact tight sweet spot, but will rather be walking around while listening. For this reason, I think you might actually prefer the horizontal configuration. You should of course test both configurations to see what you like the most.
Also, don't worry about the second speaker not being worth it in a certain configuration. If the speaker you have now sounds nice in its current position, adding a second speaker in a symmetric position should definitely add to the experience. The stereo separation really makes a huge deal.

Hope this helps. Feel free to ask me anything. I'd be glad to help.

Rune

Thanks for reply you have put my mind at rest. So you would highly recommend the 2nd one?

Be sure to Trueplay tune the speaker(s). It that position the sound could otherwise be horribly coloured by the proximity of the ceiling/walls/cupboards.

Hi thanks for reply yes I'll definitely be using trueplay and I have done with original.

Hi

I purchased a play 5 as a present to myself over the Christmas which I'm loving.
Were it not for the last part, my advice would have been to move the speaker from what is perhaps the worst of all places to keep a speaker.

But if you are loving the sound there, adding a second is going to work just as well, and add a new dimension to the sound quality.

Though the purist in me can't help but add:

First try a 1 unit on a returnable basis and see how it sounds in the same place. If around 70-80% as good, add another play 1 for the other location to stereo pair with the first. Release the 5 as a single speaker for another room/zone in the home where it can be better placed for then deserving even more love! And at a lower total cost than adding another 5 unit.

Yes PadNyl, I would absolutely recommend a second Play 5!

I agree with the others though that you should try out trueplay if you haven't. It helps a lot with clearing up the muddy midrange and boomy bass wall interactions can create.

Another thing that I recommend that is easy to do - whether for a new 1 pair or for the second 5 unit, or even for just the one 5 as you have now:

Use the shelf next to the chimney hood for speaker placement for one speaker use, as close to edge of the shelf next to the chimney itself and have the speaker pointing straight ahead. And if using a couple of speakers, place each at the other edge of the same shelf, next to the shelves at either ends of the wall. And in both cases, place the unit as close to the front edge of the shelf as is safe. In stereo pair therefore, each unit would be on the shelf adjacent to the chimney, but as far away from it as possible, and as close to the front edge as is safe. And both speakers would be pointing straight ahead.

This way you will at least eliminate one problem - the corner location - and it should lead to better sound. Placing the speakers as close to the front edge will give them useful distance from the rear walls, and allow the sound to be clearer by not having it bounce off the shelf surface in front on the speaker.

Remember that if using Trueplay, the tuning needs to be done every time the speaker placement is changed. A quick way to check things is to see what placement sounds best without using Trueplay, and then do the Trueplay antics for the better sounding location. And do it again when a second speaker is added, with both paired in stereo mode.

Trueplay works best when you do all that is possible/practical to place the speakers better in the first place.

Another thing that I recommend that is easy to do - whether for a new 1 pair or for the second 5 unit, or even for just the one 5 as you have now:

Use the shelf next to the chimney hood for speaker placement for one speaker use, as close to edge of the shelf next to the chimney itself and have the speaker pointing straight ahead. And if using a couple of speakers, place each at the other edge of the same shelf, next to the shelves at either ends of the wall. And in both cases, place the unit as close to the front edge of the shelf as is safe. In stereo pair therefore, each unit would be on the shelf adjacent to the chimney, but as far away from it as possible, and as close to the front edge as is safe. And both speakers would be pointing straight ahead.

This way you will at least eliminate one problem - the corner location - and it should lead to better sound. Placing the speakers as close to the front edge will give them useful distance from the rear walls, and allow the sound to be clearer by not having it bounce off the shelf surface in front on the speaker.

Remember that if using Trueplay, the tuning needs to be done every time the speaker placement is changed. A quick way to check things is to see what placement sounds best without using Trueplay, and then do the Trueplay antics for the better sounding location. And do it again when a second speaker is added, with both paired in stereo mode.

Trueplay works best when you do all that is possible/practical to place the speakers better in the first place.

Thanks so much for the advise I really appreciate it. While I think I'm following your instructions would you mind if I send you a picture when I have them set up to make sure I have followed out your instructions correctly?

Sure, I will let you know if you send me another picture.