How BIG is YOUR Sweet Spot

mcullinan · « **on:** 24 Jul 2007, 06:54 pm »

Is there enough room to comfortably seat two? Seating for 1 only? Do you have to lean to the right, twist your head to the left and balance a lamp on your nose to find it? What you havent found your sweet spot yet???
Just curious.
Mike aa

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 06:58 pm »

Quote from: mcullinan on 24 Jul 2007, 06:54 pm

Is there enough room to comfortably seat two? Seating for 1 only? Do you have to lean to the right, twist your head to the left and balance a lamp on your nose to find it? What you havent found your sweet spot yet???
Just curious.
Mike aa

One seat...all that is required.

George

Zero · « **Reply #2 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 07:10 pm »

I'll show you mine if you show me yours.

mcullinan · « **Reply #3 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 07:11 pm »

chosenhandle · « **Reply #4 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 07:34 pm »

she's a size 6

mcgsxr · « **Reply #5 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 07:55 pm »

That's a rather personal question, no?

My sweet spot is large enough for 2 for sure, the b200 on OB with the phase plugs installed throw a remarkably wide stage.

Housteau · « **Reply #6 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 07:59 pm »

Quote from: zybar on 24 Jul 2007, 06:58 pm

One seat...all that is required.

It is the same with my room. With all focused 2 channel systems that I am familiar with, there is only one listening position where everything comes together as it should. However, I have heard wider spots for systems that are set-up more diffuse.

mcullinan · « **Reply #7 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 08:09 pm »

Yes,
Mine is only one person also... where the musical image is the most balanced. I have to lean a bit to the left, since my listening position is less than optimal.
Mike

martyo · « **Reply #8 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 09:19 pm »

One person. My Carvers have very narrow dispersion, I've always thought that was the drawback to those and similiar type speakers. I'm REALLY surprised with these responses, especially knowing (by the systems page) the speakers some of you have.

Speakers I have not heard but heard much about.

biz97 · « **Reply #9 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 09:32 pm »

This was a huge concern for me as I take my music a bit differently than most on these forums. I wanted a system for my living room and wanted it to sound good in the sweet spot as well as well outside of it. I tried quite a few different speakers and they all had lots of detail but went flat or fell apart after you got too far out of the center position. I ended up going with some Ohm Microwalsh Talls which throw a huge soundstage and have held together better in this respect than anything I've auditioned in my place. They definitely aren't the end all of speakers of course but they have many strengths that make them a joy to listen to

. I then decided if I was going to listen by myself and try to get really into the detail that I would use a headphone setup. I am looking to pair my Sennheiser 650s with a nice tube amp that should give me two really nice and different musical experiences.

Housteau · « **Reply #10 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 10:22 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 24 Jul 2007, 09:19 pm

One person. My Carvers have very narrow dispersion, I've always thought that was the drawback to those and similar type speakers. I'm REALLY surprised with these responses, especially knowing (by the systems page) the speakers some of you have.

Speakers I have not heard but heard much about.

You shouldn't be too surprised. This really is the nature of two channel, for the most part anyway. My Acoustat 1+1s had a very, very narrow sweet spot, due to how that dipole beamed higher frequencies. The CLS1s were better with their curved panels. My speakers now, the VMPS RM-V60s are also dipoles, but they have an extreme dispersion of 180 degrees. Even so, my sweet spot is still limited to one person. It is wider, but still ideal for only one.

What I loose by moving off center is the placement of everything within the soundstage. The presentation in the sweet spot is wall to wall, but also focused with a tight center, and just as important right center and left center. There is also height and depth, all those things that help create the illusion of bringing the musicians into the room with me. The sound is still very pleasant elsewhere. It is just missing that magic and most of what I have worked so hard to achieve. My system is not for background music in any form. That would be a complete waste of what it is.

Years ago a friend was over and asked me if I ever just cranked it up so I could hear music when I washed my car. What blasphemy I thought. Too bad we have gotten out of the habit of burning heretics

. I tried to explain, but it was a lost cause. In his mind I wasted my system because I did not do that sort of thing. To him, it was to light up the neighborhood with

. There is nothing wrong with wanting a multi-use 2 channel / background music system. It is just that it is an entirely different animal.

Housteau · « **Reply #11 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 10:39 pm »

I guess this brings up another question. Is pursuing ideal two channel listening a selfish activity by its very nature? Then, are various multi-channel music systems more for those that enjoy sharing their hobby, in real time

.

martyo · « **Reply #12 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 10:43 pm »

I've heard so many comments like "huge stage" and "rock solid image".........Since a huge electronics upgrade, I've figured speakers were next. For increased resolution, but also for FINALLY having that big sweet spot. VMPS, SALK, MERLIN,(probably out of my price range) RAW, are all under consideration, all very fine speakers from what I have read and been told by others that have heard them, but I guess the size of that sweet spot may go relatively unchanged. Certainly with increased resolution it will be sweeter, just not bigger.

Quote

I guess this brings up another question. Is pursuing ideal two channel listening a selfish activity by its very nature? Then, are various multi-channel music systems more for those that enjoy sharing their hobby, in real time

No, I don't think so, I always give the guest the "spot". IMHO multi- channel is not the answer.

miklorsmith · « **Reply #13 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 10:47 pm »

I'm not focused on staging and my rig sounds great everywhere in the room. At listening sessions with others, I usually don't listen to even one song in "the seat". Folks tend to wander around and listen whereever. Of course, the sound and image whatnots are best in the main chair but it really sounds great whereever you happen to be. I sometimes crank it downstairs and listen upstairs. If the stairwell door is open it sounds killer - thumpin' bass too, sounds like being at the club.

BrianM · « **Reply #14 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 10:48 pm »

Since I got Ellis 1801s the issue of "sweet spot" has been rendered almost irrelevant. The sweet spot is anywhere on the first floor of my house. I guess it's because they have extremely good dispersion. Music pours out of them, fills the room, spills over into the next room and the next. Okay yes it sounds more ideal sitting in between them 10-12 feet away, but actually I can be anywhere in the 2-channel room, or lying on the floor, and listen very happily. I couldn't say that about any of my previous speakers.

Housteau · « **Reply #15 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 11:13 pm »

Quote from: martyo on 24 Jul 2007, 10:43 pm

but I guess the size of that sweet spot may go relatively unchanged. Certainly with increased resolution it will be sweeter, just not bigger.

That depends on what you value the most. As you can see here not everyone values the same kind of presentation. Some are less focused on focus and get their enjoyment and realism from other aspects of what their systems can do for them. However, if you want it all, then more than likely you will be limited to a single sweet spot with a two channel system.

That is why some find three channels for music done properly works better for them. This way they have center steering for off center listening.

kyyuan · « **Reply #16 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 11:38 pm »

If one owns Bose speakers, then it doesn't matter. aa he he he

arthurs · « **Reply #17 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 11:40 pm »

Quote from: kyyuan on 24 Jul 2007, 11:38 pm

If one owns Bose speakers, then it doesn't matter. aa he he he

If you own Bose isn't ANY spot sweet???

BrianM · « **Reply #18 on:** 24 Jul 2007, 11:40 pm »

Quote from: kyyuan on 24 Jul 2007, 11:38 pm

If one owns Bose speakers, then it doesn't matter. aa he he he

It's true there is more than one way to render the issue of sweet spot irrelevant.

TONEPUB · « **Reply #19 on:** 25 Jul 2007, 12:06 am »

I've got Martin Logan Summits. The sweet spot is about 2 people wide, maybe three tops...
However the ultimate spot is still smack dab in the middle...