Listening seat against rear-wall - How bad is it? How to reduce inherent problems?

[markus76]

There was an article by Joachim Gerhard stating the optimum listening position was against the real wall. Speakers were placed far from walls.

Do you have a link?

 

[Elias]

His proposal looks like this. Listening position at the wall, and speakers almost in the middle of room.

Practical or not, that was considered optimal.

 

[markus76]

"Optimal" in terms of what?

I'd think having on-wall or better in-wall speakers with the seat away from the wall is much better in terms of clarity and spaciousness.

 

[Soundtrackmixer]

"Optimal" in terms of what?

I'd think having on-wall or better in-wall speakers with the seat away from the wall is much better in terms of clarity and spaciousness.

I have to agree with you Markus.

 

[Rudolf]

Do you have a link?

http://www.essex.ac.uk/csee/research/audio_lab/malcolmspubdocs/C78 Loudspeaker placement.pdf
The pictures in above paper say that ears should be 0.4-1 m in front of wall. So much for "seeing is believing" .

Rudolf

 

[a_tewinkel]

I also agree. For practical reasons I have my seat against the rear wall. Because there is audible colouration from the rear wall reflection, I put an absorber against the wall. This helps for timbre but unfortunately it really kills spaciousness and makes the sound somewhat dry/less lively.

 

[breez]

a_tewinkel:

How are the side walls? I have the thick absorber behind my head, but I feel quite strong spatial effect with bare side walls. Speakers on the long wall with strong toe-in. Speakers have smooth, but wide dispersion (Seas DXT + 6" woofer).

 

[markus76]

http://www.essex.ac.uk/csee/research/audio_lab/malcolmspubdocs/C78 Loudspeaker placement.pdf

Thanks

 

[a_tewinkel]

a_tewinkel:

How are the side walls? I have the thick absorber behind my head, but I feel quite strong spatial effect with bare side walls. Speakers on the long wall with strong toe-in. Speakers have smooth, but wide dispersion (Seas DXT + 6" woofer).

Side walls are at least 2 metres away from the speakers and the have a +-60 degree coverage angle, so that contributes to the lack of spaciousness. But the change in 'dryness' with the absorbers is profound, it may be less so with closer side walls or wider dispersion.

This set-up is not optimal for these speakers, they would do pretty good relatively close to the side walls. But in my room that is not an option.

 

[markus76]

His proposal looks like this. Listening position at the wall, and speakers almost in the middle of room.

Practical or not, that was considered optimal.

Just to put the record straight, this is what was recommended - note the minimum distance from the back wall:

An externally hosted image should be here but it was not working when we last tested it.

 

[keyser]

A little bit of topic, but be aware that inhaling glass fibers could cause you lung problems, so i suggest you to use absorbers based on synthetic materials instead which are 100% safe.

I also agree. For practical reasons I have my seat against the rear wall. Because there is audible colouration from the rear wall reflection, I put an absorber against the wall. This helps for timbre but unfortunately it really kills spaciousness and makes the sound somewhat dry/less lively.

The fiberglass in the panel has a very particular odor. It's not very strong, but you could smell it if you were sitting on the couch that is right in front of it. Also, while sitting down on the couch, you'd immediately notice the acoustic 'black hole' behind you. After about a year I decided to wrap the panel in cling film. This does two things: 1) it keeps the odor and microscopic particles inside; and 2) it brings back some liveliness and spaciousness. You might want to try it!