Make speakers disappear. Simple, cheap
My pet peave...
This simple visual trick is without question the biggest improvement in creating the illusion of stereo image that I've ever done. The illusion created is amazing and the improvement is HUGE. However I rarely see it used in two channel systems. I don't see any You tube reviewers using this illusion. When I go to audio shows it amazes me how MOST of the displays overlook this simple trick. (there are a small handfull of high end displays that get it)
I also have difficulty getting anyone to try this effect. It's too much of a commitment? WAF factor maybe?? They spend 10's of thousands on equiptment then miss the target on the biggest improvement of all!!
I'm flabbergasted when I see PS Audio new listening rooms that completely miss the mark on this illusion. Their rooms are bright as day and there is ZERO abience created. I think Pauls wife decorated the rooms and unfortunatley knows nothing about lighting.
You need to create the 'canvas' for the image to appear.The back wall behind the speakers should be flat black and as dark as possible. NO lights on the center back wall. My favorite is a matte dark black fabric that also aids in reducing reflections off the sheetrock.
You want to create the illusion that there is NO back wall. Just a deep, dark abyss from which the instruments will magically appear. This can be further enhanced by dimming the lights elsewhere in the room. Much like a movie theater. Ever notice a broadway play or a Las Vegas magic show is all about controlled lighting?
It's also a great effect to hi-light the speakers face with very low level up light. (Cheap at Ikea) or even a candle will do. Gentle lighting in front of the speakers or a down spot light in the middle of the room can even make the back wall darker.
Black paint will also work but I prefer a dark velour fabric.
The effect is dramatic and absolutely worth the little cost and effort yet no one does it.
@prof Bravo!! I found it very interesting and thanks for sharing. Looks amazing!! Your efforts have created a room that's above and beyond. "Batcave" is perfect for me. One question... why are the speakers toed out so much? My first instinct was to push the speakers back toward the back wall and toe them in a bit. I would imagine you've already done that? Just curious.
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Most people don't get it. Expected. Proffessional stage, set designers know very well how lighting and dark color can unleash the imagination. Las Vegas, Broadway, Disney set designers, all know these methods. Yes, it's a real thing. It has NOTHING to do with the color of the speakers. It's about creating an illusion of a black abyss that makes the back wall MUCH deeper. This allows the listener to 'see' much deeper into the sound stage. If you have a dedicated listening room but you can't change the color of the back wall? Spend thousands of dollars on equiptment and then have a room of visual distraction makes NO sense. Done properly it's looks very clean and dramatic and blends perfectly into the rest of the room. A huge mistake I see frequently is a fireplace down low, with a big screen TV up above. Speakers left and right. NOTHING could be more distracting to the music experience. You tell me...what is the main focal point in this room? The fireplace? The TV above? The vibrant wall color? It's surely NOT the stereo image. There is NO place for the music performers image to appear! Is the singer standing in the fire??? Nothing could be more distracting and detrimental to the image than all this clutter.
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@musicfan2349 That's it! "to aid in the mental sound stage". The WAF factor is false. The room doesn't need to be all black and wierd. It can be done very tastefully using a pallete of colors. As you point out, you can add depth, coziness and a high level of sophistication that will take your listening experience to a new level. What wife wouldn't like that? FYI... it's not just color that makes the magic happen.The lighting level, direction and the color temperature(Kelvin) of the bulbs are also extremely important. In fact, lighting is the probably the most over looked design flaw in most homes and can take you home to a new level when done properly.
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Diffusion panels are for just that, diffusion. They are visually very busy and actually detract from the soundstage illusion. Let's ask the question... as audiophiles aren't we attempting to re-create the musical experience as realistically as possible? To be able to not only hear the singer but 'see' the singer standing there in the soundstage? Or should the singer image be standing in your fireplace? Or the small space between your speakers and the wall? Properly blackening the wall disappears. This makes a much deeper soundstage that extendes well beyond the back wall. You can 'see' an entire orchestra in the 'Abyss'. Yes, it's taking advantage of tricks you can play on the human brain and the effect makes for an amazing upgrade.
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Lighting is important but the blackness of the wall is the most important...by far! The fabric I'm talking about is the blackest fabric made. It's my favorite. It's light absorbing "black Musou'. Like a black velvet but freaky black. They make a Musou paint also. It's NOT your everyday black paint!! It has a 99.9% light absorption. You will lose ALL depth perception it's SO black.This is used by photographers and stage designers for full black out. Your wall disappears into a black hole. It really has a 'wow factor' it's so black. Watch this video... "the worlds blackest room' the guy looks like he's floating in mid air. Total light absorbtion!! The walls disappear and the effect is amazing. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6q54q2iam8
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Congrats on your experience! As you have discovered, given the right environment the human mind can take a system to much higher levels. @jfrost27 Our local high-end stereo shop also does proffessional, good looking, well decorated rooms. I don't understand why "the rest of us have the reality of life" somehow means we can't have beautiful rooms too because we have kids? This concept is NOT an oddity and doen't somehow 'restrict' your family lifestyle. However, it is a lifestyle choice to have an exciting room... or not.
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Stereo itself creates an audible illusion. I can hear the sax on the left side, bass player on the right and the singer is clear in the middle. Not perfect but pretty darn good when set up correctly. I like it alot! @treitz3 the set up on porch is very interesting. You created a blank space with no visual distractions between the speakers that would enhance depth of field. Did you ever listen to it on a dark night? Looking into the dark abyss? With eyes wide open you can 'see' the musicians. Instead of staring at a wall. Since I don't have a mountain drop off I'm using dark faric to create a similar type of effect that works either near field or equalateral.
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@milpai Of course you still have to "work out your speaker placement". That's critical to the creation of the phantom stereo image. The 'black wall' simply makes the wall disappear and creates imaginary space for the musicans. As I pointed out, otherwise you're looking at a wall that detracts from the stereo experience you worked so hard to create. I don't have a photo handy but my system looks like this with less equiptment clutter in front. Minimalism is key. Equiptment off to the side is even better.
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