Listening position

[brucew268]

The Stereophile measurements have the dispersion pattern of my speaker (Proac Response 1sc) showing that the listener's ear should be at or below the level of the tweeters, otherwise may experience a sense of 'suckout' in the crossover region. Yet the recommended stands are 24" (and very rigid). By my measure, on my sofa, that puts my ears 4-5" above the tweeter axis.

Would that assume that most 'listening chairs' are lower than a sofa?

Would you try to raise the speaker on 4" granite slabs, or angle the speakers upward slightly, or just slouch down a bit ;)?

[Barry]

Do you notice any lack of treble? How far away from the speakers is your listening position?

I would experiment with tilting them up and down by a few degrees. Give it a try and let us know how you get on.

[hifi_dave]

Move up and down in your seat to determine where the best balanced sound is. Then you can work out the required stand height.

[brucew268]

Hmm. Slight sense of more 'clarity' when sitting up (above tweeters). But slightly better integration slouched down to their level. I'll have to do some extended listening to determine the trade offs between the two. Fairly subtle and didn't immediately notice the difference at first.

[brucew268]

Experimentation these last month's with toe-in and the different orientations to axis probably make this whole question a bit relative.

I do wonder though if most listening chairs are lower than my sofa or club chairs.

[Macca]

When listening always best to follow Churchill's dictum: 'Never stand up when you can sit down and never sit down when you can lie down.'

The distance you are listening from will make a difference as well.

[awkwardbydesign]

A slightly different slant, but I always try to make my speakers with the tweeter above ear height. I find that this mimics the way I hear vocalists, in particular, at live events; looking slightly up at them. Whether or not this has actual acoustic advantages I can't say for certain, not having done any relevant measurements, but it certainly has a psychoacoustic benefit.
It's definitely odd that the recommended position for your speakers is unrealisable, though.

[Tarzan]

A slightly different slant, but I always try to make my speakers with the tweeter above ear height. I find that this mimics the way I hear vocalists, in particular, at live events; looking slightly up at them. Whether or not this has actual acoustic advantages I can't say for certain, not having done any relevant measurements, but it certainly has a psychoacoustic benefit.
It's definitely odd that the recommended position for your speakers is unrealisable, though.

Good posting.:)

[It Cost How Much!?!]

I have a pair of spare ProAc Tablette Ref 8's and these sound better higher, I use 41" PMC studio stands, heavy-ish, very like tall Target R1's. Quite a lot of small monitors like being above listening height in my experience.

[Spectral Morn]

Experimentation these last month's with toe-in and the different orientations to axis probably make this whole question a bit relative.

I do wonder though if most listening chairs are lower than my sofa or club chairs.

Interesting question. Most folks probably just use any old thing to hand but in reality as you have found out chair height Vis-à-vis your ear height is an important factor most forget about, dismiss or don't know about. To pick a chair the general rule would be measure floor to tweeter and pick a chair that puts your ear at the same level. However there are some speakers that do sound better with ear above or below the tweeter axis.

Probably best to ask the speaker company what listening height they recommend and work from there.

I recently bought a dedicated chair - for the speakers I use - as a somewhat rushed purchased sofa was putting my ears a bit too high and slouching wasn't comfortable.

My first encounter with this issue was many years ago with Proac Super Tablets and Audio Dimensions stands (Target R1s are a copy of these) when my parents bought me a lovely leather chair to replace the rather battered low one I was using. I ended up placing the stands on granite slabs to get them to the right height - crucial with mini monitor types - and this improved things massively in terms of integration, imaging and the granite slabs bass. With Proac's toe in is also very important, so experiment away. All important factors always worth keeping in mind.

The new listening chair - came believe it or not from TK Max, real bargain price, spotted by a work colleague I got the display one at a further reduction - is a very nice repro Barcelona Chair, which puts my ears bang in the sweet spot for my Anthony Gallo speakers.

http://www.hicksandhicks.com/content/images/products/hicks-and-hicks/barcelona-chair-brown/barcelona-chair-brown_1266-product.jpg


Regards Neil

[jollyfix]

[QUOTE=Dalek Supreme D L;566419]

The new listening chair - came believe it or not from TK Max -

http://www.hicksandhicks.com/content/images/products/hicks-and-hicks/barcelona-chair-brown/barcelona-chair-brown_1266-product.jpg

I have seen some great chairs in TK Maxx, best place to buy top quality coffee and olive oil too.
Back on topic, in the past i have found my sofa higher than my tweeters so always used slabs under to rise them up to the desired position , depending on the speakers sometimes i tilted them back also ( worked with some, not with others). Right now i am using my Planets ( omni), so chair height does not apply.

[Spectral Morn]

[QUOTE=Dalek Supreme D L;566419]

The new listening chair - came believe it or not from TK Max -

http://www.hicksandhicks.com/content/images/products/hicks-and-hicks/barcelona-chair-brown/barcelona-chair-brown_1266-product.jpg

I have seen some great chairs in TK Maxx, best place to buy top quality coffee and olive oil too.
Back on topic, in the past i have found my sofa higher than my tweeters so always used slabs under to rise them up to the desired position , depending on the speakers sometimes i tilted them back also ( worked with some, not with others). Right now i am using my Planets ( omni), so chair height does not apply.

I don't venture into TK Max as I hate the disorganised mess it is but a colleague who works in the bookshop I work in, but after lunch, came in and described this wonderful leatherchair to me. It sounded like a Barcelona so I googled an image - yep that's it they said. So I went and bought it - last one so they gave me a further 10% off the already reduced price - and carried it on my head back to where I work - must have been a funny sight lol

Anyway I didn't know TK did furniture, I thought it was mostly clothing.


Regards Neil

[jollyfix]

Most people think that Neil, i hate clothes shopping, but always pop into TK because of the other stuff, quality kitchen bits n bobs, bought some great thick olive wood chopping boards ( to go under some HIFI kit), dirt cheap price. Their home dept great for loads of stuff, all quality, from rugs to lamps/lights ( bought my turntable light from there), side untis etc..

[Spectral Morn]

Most people think that Neil, i hate clothes shopping, but always pop into TK because of the other stuff, quality kitchen bits n bobs, bought some great thick olive wood chopping boards ( to go under some HIFI kit), dirt cheap price. Their home dept great for loads of stuff, all quality, from rugs to lamps/lights ( bought my turntable light from there), side untis etc..

I saw all the other stuff, when I bought the chair, so I pop in now for a look just in case anything else interesting comes in.


Regards Neil

[Barry]

Interesting question. Most folks probably just use any old thing to hand but in reality as you have found out chair height Vis-à-vis your ear height is an important factor most forget about, dismiss or don't know about. To pick a chair the general rule would be measure floor to tweeter and pick a chair that puts your ear at the same level. However there are some speakers that do sound better with ear above or below the tweeter axis.

Probably best to ask the speaker company what listening height they recommend and work from there.

I recently bought a dedicated chair - for the speakers I use - as a somewhat rushed purchased sofa was putting my ears a bit too high and slouching wasn't comfortable.

My first encounter with this issue was many years ago with Proac Super Tablets and Audio Dimensions stands (Target R1s are a copy of these) when my parents bought me a lovely leather chair to replace the rather battered low one I was using. I ended up placing the stands on granite slabs to get them to the right height - crucial with mini monitor types - and this improved things massively in terms of integration, imaging and the granite slabs bass. With Proac's toe in is also very important, so experiment away. All important factors always worth keeping in mind.

The new listening chair - came believe it or not from TK Max, real bargain price, spotted by a work colleague I got the display one at a further reduction - is a very nice repro Barcelona Chair, which puts my ears bang in the sweet spot for my Anthony Gallo speakers.

http://www.hicksandhicks.com/content/images/products/hicks-and-hicks/barcelona-chair-brown/barcelona-chair-brown_1266-product.jpg


Regards Neil


How much do these (reproduction) Barcelona Chairs go for Neil? Do they deliver?

[The Barbarian]

Stereo's sound good when you step into the next room.

[Spectral Morn]

How much do these (reproduction) Barcelona Chairs go for Neil? Do they deliver?

Hi Barry

They range in price - brown always seems dearer than other colours. You can get them from £230 ish (poor quality one) up to 800/900 pounds on average. However some such as Knoll 4000 ish and original ones even more.

Very comfortable and beautiful to look at, a real work of art. Audio wise much will depend on the speakers but the height of my chair suits my speakers.


Regards Neil