Importance of wall behind listener?


In my audio setup, I essentially have no back walls to speak of. Behind the listener is an opening into a long hallway, an opening to a den (to the left of listening position), and an opening to the kitchen (to the right of listening position). I'm wondering if this is a hinderence in getting a truly 3D holographic soundstage representation. Other folks who have a near identical systems get phenominal soundstages, so I know it's not any of the equipment. The difference is they have a back wall vs. my no back wall, and their straight ceiling vs. my sloped celiling (peaked at center, dropping on both sides).

Any thoughts?
1markr

Showing 1 response by solentgreen

In my experience, there is a trade off between placement for bass performance & soundstage. Usually, if you place the speakers nearer the front wall or sit near the back wall, you get better bass but the soundstage suffers.

I would suggest that a better way is to chose speakers with the bass performance for the size of room even when it is placed in the optimum position for the best soundstage.
In my room, the rear of my speakers are 4 feet from the front wall and I sit 5 feet in front of the back wall and on the better recorded CDs, I can hear an all enveloping soundstage which extends to ambience & echos coming from behind my listening position. In a friend's place, where his back wall is further back still, the effect is even better and you really get the illusion of sitting in a concert hall.

Hope this helps.