[lousyreeds1]

Hi all,

Had a very interesting experience last night with my Super 6 Alnico XRS that I thought I'd share.  My space is about 15'x15' with open sides.  The speakers are out from rear walls about 2.5', and around 9' apart.  I usually sit about 11' back.  I use all Red Wine Audio electronics (15 watt hybrid MOSFET amp).  Last night I moved the listening position forward so that I'm about 6' in front of the speakers (nearfield), and I found that this raises the quality of the musical presentation DRASTICALLY.  Previously I had found the presentation simultaneously a little distant/overly polite, a little harsh, and prone to breakup with high-complexity material.  Moving the listening position up resulted in a much faster, richer, more open, more detailed, more involving sound.  In otherwords, everything improved, and it wasn't subtle.

Have others had this experience?  It makes me wonder if I'm using the Omegas in a space that is simply too large to fill (the total square footage in the room is about 580 square feet given the open side walls).  I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.

Thanks!

[DBC]

Interesting, I have the Alnico Monitors & Decware Super Zen (2 watts / channel). My room: 16' x 21', vaulted ceiling with large openings into other large areas of the home. Front of speakers placed 4' from the front wall and spaced 9' apart. Listening position is 11' from each speaker and 6' from rear wall. Hardwood floors with large padded area rug. Modest room treatments (absorption & diffusion).

In my case I have an abundance of volume (they will play loud). I do use a Sub for Bass reinforcement since my Monitors are placed so far out into the room.

If your room is 15' x 15' then according to your figures your original Listen Position was about 2' from the rear wall? Moving up placed you about 7' from the rear wall. I'm thinking you might have been sitting too close to rear wall and reflections were causing room boundary cancellations????  Generally I avoid sitting near the center of the room or near the rear wall (room acoustics can get a little weird at these points). You might try sitting about 4.5' forward of the rear wall.

[RDavidson]

+1 DBC. I think you're right. What lousyreeds is hearing is more direct sound, and less reflections overall. This is why there are many people who greatly enjoy near field listening. Room effects are instantly lessened, without room treatments. But, near field listening just isn't practical for all. Some speakers (Multi-driver types) have a more coherent sound when sitting further away as the timing of the sounds from the woofers and tweeters normalizes (better) over some distance. With that said, room treatment becomes more of a MUST than optional, for best sound.

[Canada Rob]

DBC and RDavidson, ditto.

[lousyreeds1]

Thanks for the comments.  To clarify, the normal listening position is in fact fully up against the back wall (there's a bookcase on the front wall that skews the measurements).  Our living room setup doesn't really allow for changing the listening position permanently, but it's now clear to me just how much sound we are losing from having the couch pushed all the way against the wall.  I hadn't thought of the particular appeal of nearfield listening for single-driver speakers - thanks for pointing that out. 

Do people think putting some sort of drape or rug behind the couch would alleviate this issue somewhat, given that a permanent move of the listening position is not in the cards?  Would be interested to hear your thoughts.

[DBC]

Your problem makes sense, up against the wall is about the worst place for the listening position. Generally you want some type of diffusion on the wall behind you to help scatter reflections (minimize them). In my case I have a walkway behind me and a bookcase along the rear wall. The irregular shape of the bookcase and objects within help to diffuse the rear wall reflections.

Sounds like you are already sitting in somewhat of a Dead Zone, adding something to Absorb sound on the back wall may make it worse ???   

[RDavidson]

Agree again with DBC. I think having some sound treatment behind you will likely help, BUT part of your problem probably also lies in side wall and ceiling reflections as well as room nodes too (the dead zone). Try putting a pillow behind your head, and see what happens, with regard to the back wall reflections. If you can't really address the room or the arrangement of stuff, maybe what'd be easiest is to just get a comfy, but easily movable listening chair for those really involved listening sessions. When you're done, move it back out of the way.