Hi all,
I’m running the X4 in my living room and I’ve encountered a very interesting bass behavior that I’m hoping to get some insight on.
I’ll attach a diagram of my living room layout (not to scale), but I’ll try to describe the key points here.
🏠 Room and layout
Room is approximately 24 ft (length) × 21.5 ft (width), opens up to the dining hall
Ceiling is ~10.5 ft for most of the room, but opens to double-height near the staircase at the rear (the last 6 ft of the 24 ft boundary)
Speakers are:
~3 ft from front wall
~2.5 ft from left side wall
~6.5 ft apart
🧱 Left side boundary
The main left boundary runs the full 24 ft length and consists of:
Solid wall (front section)
~8 ft sliding glass door
Short solid wall section
Wooden door
Short solid wall near the rear
In addition, there is a 6 ft solid staircase wall, positioned about 4.5 ft inward from the main left wall, running parallel to it near the rear of the room.
🎧 Listening positions
Main sofa (normal listening) which is situated from a varying 9 to 11 feet from front of speakers:
Bass is weak making the sound more pronounced on the mid/highs and hence missing out on balance.
When listening from the staircase position (so basically sitting on one of the steps of the staircase), the sound changes significantly to one that is pleasing; bass suddenly appears. It sounds fuller/stronger, more natural and well-balanced. I now finally understand what the fuss about OB bass is.
This position is about 3 ft from rear wall
Very close to the 6 ft staircase wall on the left
Right side opens toward the staircase / upper floor (no close boundary)
Ear level would be around 12 inches elevated compared to sitting on sofa.
The staircase position appears to benefit from:
Very close proximity to a solid side boundary (left)
Some rear wall reinforcement (~3 ft)
Ceiling opening
Overall asymmetrical boundary condition
Even when the sofa is pushed back to the max (where the stairs begin, about 6ft from the rear wall), the bass is till missing. When you descend from that heavenly staircase position, the bass simply weakens.
❓ Questions
Would it be fair to say that this staircase location represents a locally optimal pressure zone (reduced cancellation / better modal balance)?
Clearly, listening to the system from the staircase isn't exactly practical, therefore would incorporating a subwoofer helps when listening from the sofa ?
I’m not chasing more bass quantity per se — I’m trying to understand how to reproduce the quality and balance of bass I hear at that staircase location at the main listening seat.
Appreciate any thoughts, especially from others running OB in non-ideal or irregular living spaces.
Thanks in advance!
