Can a nearfield listening position ever be too realistic?

[bumpy]

Out of necessity I sit just 8 ft from my speakers (near field) in a room with plenty of acoustic treatments.

Over the years the system has been improved out of all recognition leading to a much more realistic presentation. This has the effect of bringing the performance into the room and with it a mixed blessing. Effectively it means that I am sitting 8ft from a female opera singer or rock band and most would agree this is not what we experience in reality.

In summary my speakers are verging on studio monitors and its very few people that get enjoyment over several hours with such a presentation. This is not about digital nasties or graininess but more the ability to relax in front of such a 'monitor' system.

Any tips or observations?

Thanks Chris

[struth]

i wouldnt say 8ft to be nearfield. At that distance tho a lively tweeter can be offputting so you could turn speaker slightly off axis to you or up or down etc

[bumpy]

i wouldnt say 8ft to be nearfield. At that distance tho a lively tweeter can be offputting so you could turn speaker slightly off axis to you or up or down etc

Thanks Grant that's a good tip but not one I have tried since updating my midrange/tweeter to the Cube Audio FC8 concentrics.

Regarding near field. My speakers stand nearly 5ft tall and 20" wide and it certainly feels nearfield

[Puffin]

I sit about 6ft from my speakers and my room has acoustic treatment and I love how it sounds. I have never had any doubts about the distance or what I hear or why I hear it. If I like it then the job is done. If you find it fatiguing then perhaps something has to change.

[Macca]

8 feet is more mid-field, near field is if you are sitting at a mixing desk with the speakers just a couple of feet from your ears.

have to say I have also found a 'monitor' presentation to be a bit too much for long term listening, although depends what I am playing, rock music can get a bit too much after a couple of albums. Not because it is too bright, or harsh or anything but it's just so full on and explicit.

Recently I've been using my old Philips pre-amp in place of the Nelson Pass pre and that sort of 'softens' everything just a little and I can listen all day to anything with that in the system. But on the minus side I don't get that open window into the studio like with the Nelson Pass, and I do like having that.

It's a trade-off, I don't think there is any perfect solution.

[bumpy]

I sit about 6ft from my speakers and my room has acoustic treatment and I love how it sounds. I have never had any doubts about the distance or what I hear or why I hear it. If I like it then the job is done. If you find it fatiguing then perhaps something has to change.

Thanks Rob. its just a question of what??

Sometimes when you concentrate on the big picture its easy to miss the obvious.

Incidentally here is a picture of my set up. You can see its all a bit 'in your face'

P1100197.jpg

[Jimbo]

I was watching this video yesterday and it maybe of interest? Discusses listening positions in relation to speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtPOesEzlzg

[bumpy]

8 feet is more mid-field, near field is if you are sitting at a mixing desk with the speakers just a couple of feet from your ears.

have to say I have also found a 'monitor' presentation to be a bit too much for long term listening, although depends what I am playing, rock music can get a bit too much after a couple of albums. Not because it is too bright, or harsh or anything but it's just so full on and explicit.

Recently I've been using my old Philips pre-amp in place of the Nelson Pass pre and that sort of 'softens' everything just a little and I can listen all day to anything with that in the system. But on the minus side I don't get that open window into the studio like with the Nelson Pass, and I do like having that.

It's a trade-off, I don't think there is any perfect solution.

I'm, sitting here nodding with agreement I can downgrade the components of my system and listen for hours, but I have worked hard for decades to get to this point and its a bit disheartening.

[bumpy]

8 feet is more mid-field, near field is if you are sitting at a mixing desk with the speakers just a couple of feet from your ears.

I would agree if you are talking small monitor speakers like the Yamaha NS10s, but with 5ft tall speakers I'm not so sure those definitions apply. If you sat a couple of feet away, the bass drivers would be aimed at your ankles.

[bumpy]

I was watching this video yesterday and it maybe of interest? Discusses listening positions in relation to speakers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtPOesEzlzg

Thanks James. I watched that right through and he agreed that when listening to big panels or dipoles you can get too close. The big downside to moving the listening chair further away, which he ignored, is that you approach close to the wall behind your head with all its own reflections. But I plan to give this a go and perhaps to drape the rear wall with acoustic treatment. (tapestry or rug).