Chair

I have a Flexsteel Ezra, electric recliner with powered headrest and powered lumbar. Give one a try.

@rick_n - having your head above the back of the headrest makes a big difference. While listening to something with nothing behind your head, cup your hands behind your ears and hear the difference. That's essentially what's happening when the back and headrest are right behind your ears. 

Another intriguing swivel chair I've seen at high-end furniture stores and high-end hi-fi shops is called the Lobster chair; very comfortable and seat and back just the right height. Pretty pricey, though. 

I’ve been using an Eames replica for years. Original Eames chairs are not even all that comfortable from what I’ve been told by people who own them, I’m going to replace mine eventually as the spring mechanisms, and other aspects of the chair are beginning to weaken. The point is I would definitely get one again.

This suggestion may not be workable in a living room setup, but here goes anyway.

I worked for >30 years in a home office (freelance medical writer, often 10-12 hr days). In the first year my back began to fall apart ... the trash office chair I bought for $50 was the culprit.

By reading all available office chair comments I stumbled into Steelcase orthopedic office chairs--first it was the Criterion (excellent chair), then their then-TOTL, the Leap v1. I’m sitting in my 2nd Leap v1 (gave away the first, still in great shape after 25 years). I buy them 2nd hand via Interent from an Arizona company, National Office Interiors & Liquidators. These are very expensive chairs, but on a used basis the cost is quite affordable.

I never used these chairs with an ottoman, but there’s no reason you couldn’t. I have no idea how a Steelcase Leap would fit in visually with your space, but I can tell you--your back would never again complain after hours of listening.

BTW, I’ve near had the type of living room that supports use of an Eames type chair plus ottoman (they take up a lot of floor space). But if I did, it would be an original Eames leather chair or one of the excellent newer chairs inspired by it. Though honestly, I ddon’t know how the lower back comfort of any such chair could equal a Leap’s.

Stressless with battery operated recline and footrest.  The footrest unfolds from under the chair, no issues with floor space.  
 

https://shop.stressless.com/en/recliners/stressless-magic/p/000000000001144706?pid=114470657981110

@skywachr - I've had a real Herman Miller Eames chair and ottoman for 3 years, and my opinion is that it is extremely comfortable and a purchase I'm very glad I made. 

@audphile1 

You outta try the classic Eames replica. Find a retailer that sells one with real wood veneer and top-grain leather. It comes in standard and tall versions. 

@lallitk yes absolutely. It’s on the list. Just haven’t gotten around to it yet. 

I have an original Eames and ottoman, but I still get lower back pain after long listening sessions. I suspect the right pillows/bolsters would help, but I am moving soon and the listening spot is more likely to be a new sofa. So I will evaluate those carefully for comfort. 

In a 1978 cycling accident I suffered an spinal injury known as sponodylothesis at L5.  It is inoperable.  For years I had an Eames Chair, which I recently had refurbished and then gave to my son in-law.  It was OK, but never great for me, but it served for many years.  I also have an Ekornes Stressless, which I believe is somewhat better.  Somewhat.  About 8 or so years ago I bought a Zero Gravity chair from a company called Relax Your Back.  Serious money.  It is somewhat better than the Stressless.  Somewhat.  All three of those chairs are leather.  Leather is the bane of music, it reflects, it just affects the sounds.  About 5 years ago I bought a reclining sofa from LAZY BOY, kinda ugly, over stuffed cloth thing.  It is so comfortable there are nights when I leave the bedroom and come out to the music room to sleep in it.  And the bonus is, cloth chairs/sofas absorb sound, they don't reflect it, so it is possible to work them into the room treatment scheme.  As an added bonus, LAZY BOY is competitively priced.

I had back trouble for two years after a car accident. Chairs became a huge concern. The best thing I did was read a short book by John Sarnos M.D. called Healing Your Back Pain. It was a life changer. Soon, the comfy recliner became a luxury, not a necessity. Good luck!

Ekornes Stressless recliner and ottoman… there’s a reason why they are relatively expensive.

Extremely high quality.  I buy them in pairs for my wife and I.   We are on our fourth set, top of the line now.  They wear like iron. Thick, full grain leather and the very best foam of different densities throughout the chair.  I often sleep in mine and weigh 290 lbs.  You can find them used at reasonable prices.  It’s very clear if they are in good shape.  Go to a Stressless dealer and try out the various models.  They sit a bit differently.  Also, a good dealer can repair them if needed.  Sometimes they go on an attractive sale when models change.   My current pair are about 12 years old and still perfect.  Way better made than Eames which is basically  just leather, foam and plywood.   Good luck.  

On my 2nd Ekornes stressless. 1st one lasted about 15 years and would still be perfectly good except I cleaned the head part with an abrasive sponge stupidly and it created a minor line hole. I liked the chair so much that I had a custom fabric created to slip over the bad area even though the issue was only noticeable if you knew about it (like the cashmere sweater with the red dot George bought for Elaine for her birthday). Chair is still in excellent condition.

When I got the new one I could not believe they make the exact same model. Got a non standard/stocked color and it took like 6 months to get it (it was in 2000 during the pandemic). US stocked colors are available quickly I beleive. Not sure what the tariffs will be with Norway.

The only problem is that it is so comfortable I am always falling asleep in it. I'm amazed that even after 3-4 hours I have absolutely no pain or stiffness when I get up. Before this chair I went through a couple others that I still have but if you sit in them for a while you get back pain.

Yeah they are very expensive and dealers can't discount around here. Maybe you could get a small discount on a demo model, but then your color selection would be limited. I wouldn't buy a used couch or recliner. Just spring for it and forget about it. You'll be glad you did.

sokogear… +1!

@audphile1 - I fixated on this question because the comfort of your listening position is paramount. I tried the Eames chairs and, despite everyone saying they’re comfortable, found them not so. 
 

I strongly recommend the Papa Bear Chair with Ottoman which you can purchase from Modernica in LA. It’s a mid century classic from a Danish designer. It’s incredibly relaxing to sit in and you and adjust your position easily. It’s also a great reading chair. And it looks beautiful. 
 

It’s made in LA and you can custom order your fabric choice too. 
 

I have two of them as my wife took over the first one I purchased! 

Thanks @bluethinker

Looking at papa bear chair it does look extremely comfortable but my concern is the cave effect it will create with the “wrap around” type back. I’m thinking this isn’t going to be an ideal design for listening to music. 
 

@audphile1 - The key to the chair is the ottoman. Once you put your feet up onto the ottoman, the chair becomes rather ideal for listening to music. It’s a veritable relaxation zone. 
 

That said, I saw some of the other suggested chairs and I’m sure some also offer ultimate comfort. I am always looking to balance comfort with design aesthetics. 

I finally made it to the store and checked out few Stressless models. One I liked the most was the Opal. I was in a rush and was only able to sit in it for few minutes and it felt really comfortable. Need spend a bit more time there. So far it’s definitely on the list.