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. 

 

gdaddy1

Showing 4 responses by rauliruegas

Dear @treitz3   :     I don't have a dedicated audio room and the nearfield seat position is the best trying to listen as in a "free space " where the room stays out of " consideration ", yes I know that's just a dream but is all I have. As you I don't listen always at near field position.

Even all what involves my room/system I could think is a system with very high resolution and acceptable quality level performance. Main characteristic is an almost non-existent elctronics/speakers noise floor where I or any one can't detect it even with the volume wide open and with the ear at 10 mm. from the silk dome  tweeters.

From there the speakers 95db efficiency helps to have that quality level to the listen reproduced sound, any kind of MUSIC at any SPL. No it does not have the " immediacy " that only horn driver has but at least " approaching " it.

 

For me that immediacy is an intrinsical characteristic of live MUSIC at nearfield position where between you and the source exist only " the air " and is from here where the other live MUSIC characteristics are developed through those whole instruments/source transient responses. Only an opinion.

Yes, my system is a full range one and has external powered subwoofers, even that it does not has any external hi-pass cdrossover for the main speakers where the audio signal could be degraded and this no/hi-pass it's because I took advantage of my Levinson monoblocks original design where the amps are coupled by an input cap and it's through this input cap where the high-pass is " happening " at around 80 hz 

In that way the speaker/subs signal comes directly from my Phonolinepreamp to the amps and subs. Other characteristic in my system is that the elctronics it does not use any input connector for the electrical power and neither input fuses: both " elements " generates some kind of different type  and level of added noise.

 

In the other side the noise floor enviroment is something that I learned to " disappears " when in listen sessions where in your system is just truly non-existen ( I envy you about. ).

"  That was the absolute best I have ever heard a near field setup. ", that's for sure and maybe only a few in the audio world can have same kind of outstanding experience in their own systems. Congratulations "! !.

 

You are rigth, we all are in the " hands " of the whole recording engineers and yes what we all listening in our room/system is  a far-away " approximation " of the live recorded MUSIC  and my main target is to stay "truer/nearer " to that " approximation " trying , between other things, to put at minimum any noise/distortions developed at my room/system adding the less and losting the less too.

My very long trip in the audio world looking to listen MUSIC was and still is a learning one trying to scale step by step to the next level of that audio/MUSIC learning ladder till we find out " total " satisfaction " according each one of us audio/MUSIC targets and priorities. Ok, those it what I want to share here.

 

@milpai   " With the right setup you would have the perception of depth with vocals (most of them) near the front and the instruments either on the sides and/or behind - depends on the recording. " obviously with out that black paint/fabric on place.

I agree with you and yes @gdaddy1  needs to works with because IMHO his room/system has a " problem " that till today was not yet detected, this is part of the " learning ladder ".

 

R.

 

 

 

Dear @treitz3  :  Thank's again.

I knew that I was missing " something " wider on what I could imagine.

For a few days I will be busy but I come back to you as soon is possible due that exist many critical and inresting audio  issues in your posts that I would like to share here.

Rigth now I only can think that in that " free space " the speaker efficiency spec could be really important.

 

R.

Dear @treitz3  :

 

 When a system makes you want to close your eyes to experience even more? 

That’s when you know you are listening to a stellar system   "

 

First than all I know for sure that I'm ignorant of many/several home audio subjects

due to the complex audio world. 

 

Now, in my over 40 years in audio this is the first time that I read a precise " conclusion " like yours and I wonder all what I'm missing , I mean the very good reasons you have and know to arrived to that " conclusion " . that according your sentences I'm far away of a " stellar " kind of room system.

I really apreciated and maybe other gentlemans too that you can share your way of thinking in that important quality subject in a home system. Thank you in advance.

 

R.

Dear @treitz3  : " 

" When a system performs so superbly, even if your eyes are open and you have visual cues and a true 3-D experience? When a system makes you want to close your eyes to experience even more? 

That’s when you know you are listening to a stellar system.  "

 

The  @gdaddy1  is not my room/system main priority as it’s not too soundstage.

 

As many of you I attend often to music hall to listen live MUSIC.

I always seat at near field as I can and normally the orchestra stage is highly iluminated and during the play of the score ovserve that no one close their eyes but the other way around: way open.

Yes in a live MUSIC session I like to listen MUSIC not my " imagination " ( in the instant that you close your eyes you can imagine everything you want everything that your brain builds and in the way you like it. ).

In the recording proccess the microphones are " seated " at near field position to pick up the developed sound not exactly the sound stage.

Characteristics of MUSIC is for me the critical subject: timbre, rhytm, natural brigthness, dynamic power, natural tone balance and the like and these and other main characteristics is what I want to appreciate in my room/system listen sessions. I like to listen full range room/system ( with out good bass management MUSIC just can't exist. )

Every room/system develops its own " soundstage " that we can change it according what we prefer about and that " soundstage " it’s not wha comes from the recording microphones.

Each one of us have our MUSIC listen home ystem priorities where in my case soundstage is " important " but almost at the end of my MUSIC charcateristics list.

A question for you: if we are seated at nearfield positon listening at live SPL to a trio of piano, trumpet/horn and battery: can you have a precise and well defined soundstage? and do you think that can listen to that live horn seated at near field for say: half an hour?

A experiences like that are as a learning sessions.

Like I say that’s me and that’s why I " disagree " with some of you. Maybe I’m wrong but it’s what it’s.

I like to listen my system and that my system can put me nearer to the recording.

 

Regards and enjoy the MUSIC NOT DISTORTIONS,

R.