Gentlemen,
Timely topic. I've got an open plan listening area--my my living room--that is roughly 15' long and 11'3" wide with a "mostly" open wall on the longer side (that is, from the back/listening end wall, the open wallspace extends about 11-12' toward the speaker end). 7'6" ceiling. I am using B&W CDM7se floorstanders.
If there is a problem presently it is with a weaker lower end. (Duke hit the nail perfectly.) Overall positioning has been tweaked to the point where I am happy with the sound but I cannot seem to get past the bass issue. On most recordings I really don't notice (but imagine that there is still an effect that will be appreciated if the issue is corrected) while on others the lack is clearly noticeable.
We've got carpet on the floor and upholstered loveseats at both the closed side and at the listening location. I'm guessing these don't help the bass but the rest of the frequency range sound so good I'm in a quandry.
The wife and I would like to put in hardwood and to replace the loveseats (the cats are slowly shredding them) with leather but I am really nervous about "hollowing out" what is now an otherwise very rich sound (absent some degree of bass).
My speakers of choice (the next upgrade) would be the larger B&W 803D which also have the benefit of better (and additional) drivers and B&W's diamond tweeter. (http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1005bw/#) I'd been concerned that the size was a problem but Duke has suggested otherwise. Any comments on current setup or proposed changes (gear or room) would be greatly appreciated.
Timely topic. I've got an open plan listening area--my my living room--that is roughly 15' long and 11'3" wide with a "mostly" open wall on the longer side (that is, from the back/listening end wall, the open wallspace extends about 11-12' toward the speaker end). 7'6" ceiling. I am using B&W CDM7se floorstanders.
If there is a problem presently it is with a weaker lower end. (Duke hit the nail perfectly.) Overall positioning has been tweaked to the point where I am happy with the sound but I cannot seem to get past the bass issue. On most recordings I really don't notice (but imagine that there is still an effect that will be appreciated if the issue is corrected) while on others the lack is clearly noticeable.
We've got carpet on the floor and upholstered loveseats at both the closed side and at the listening location. I'm guessing these don't help the bass but the rest of the frequency range sound so good I'm in a quandry.
The wife and I would like to put in hardwood and to replace the loveseats (the cats are slowly shredding them) with leather but I am really nervous about "hollowing out" what is now an otherwise very rich sound (absent some degree of bass).
My speakers of choice (the next upgrade) would be the larger B&W 803D which also have the benefit of better (and additional) drivers and B&W's diamond tweeter. (http://www.hometheatermag.com/floorloudspeakers/1005bw/#) I'd been concerned that the size was a problem but Duke has suggested otherwise. Any comments on current setup or proposed changes (gear or room) would be greatly appreciated.