Near Field, Far Field or Somewhere In-Betwen?

[Macca]

How far away from the speakers do you listen?

Let's say for the sake of argument that 'near field' is within 6 feet, mid field 6 to 12 feet and far field anything further than that.

I'll try and make it a poll if I can work out how.

State your reasons for your preference and vote based on your main or 'best' rig if you have more than one.

[Macca]

Hey the poll worked - except for the spelling error.

I listen far field because it lets you crank the speakers up to 'full fat' levels where they can work optimally without the sound becoming overwhelming and 'too big'. If that makes sense. Also with multi-way speakers you get better driver integration at a distance.

[struth]

Mid for me. Always has been and probably as most houses dictate that or near. One speaker is about 8ft and other maybe 10ft from my seat. Being offset the toe ins are different as are the attack angle. Far speaker is up a couple of mil.

[kininigin]

Near field for me as i have no other choice really! Have always listened near-field,so have no idea if i'd prefer anything else!

[Marco]

I listen near-field, simply because I have no other option, and also because it suits the presentation of my speakers (large Tannoy DCs), and how they interact with the room I use them in - and indeed most rooms, due to their inherent design.

Also, generally but not always, I prefer the sense of 'intimacy' and immediacy one gets with near-field listening, but conversely, I can enjoy the 'walk around sound' effect ones gets with far-field listening, in a large room, as long as the acoustics are good.

One also has to consider that the longer you allow bass waves to develop (by sitting further away from the speakers), the more bass you can hear, which can swamp the sound and make for a rather 'phat and plummy' sonic presentation, which I detest. In that respect, give me the faster and more immediate near-field listening experience, any day!

In terms of the 'big room vs. small room' thing, for me I'd rather have a GOOD room (acoustically), than big or small, so as usual it's QUALITY, not quantity, that counts!!

Marco.

[hifi_dave]

Not many rooms in the UK can accommodate 'far field'.

[Michael loves music]

I'm 11 feet away sound lovely

[Macca]

Not many rooms in the UK can accommodate 'far field'.

12' or more from the speakers is do-able in a 16 x 12 lounge, easy in an 18x12 and they are not unusual room sizes for the UK, although I agree they are larger than average.

[petrat]

I listen near-field, simply because I have no other option, and also because it suits the presentation of my speakers (large Tannoy DCs), and how they interact with the room I use them in - and indeed most rooms, due to their inherent design.

Also, generally but not always, I prefer the sense of 'intimacy' and immediacy one gets with near-field listening, but conversely, I can enjoy the 'walk around sound' effect ones gets with far-field listening, in a large room, as long as the acoustics are good.

One also has to consider that the longer you allow bass waves to develop (by sitting further away from the speakers), the more bass you can hear, which can swamp the sound and make for a rather 'phat and plummy' sonic presentation, which I detest. In that respect, give me the faster and more immediate near-field listening experience, any day!

In terms of the 'big room vs. small room' thing, for me I'd rather have a GOOD room (acoustically), than big or small, so as usual it's QUALITY, not quantity, that counts!!

Marco.

Same speakers, same reasons, same conclusions.

[Spectral Morn]

Midfield because the speakers work best in this position, within the room.

In the past I have done nearfield because of the room and the size of the speaker - mini monitors.