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.

gdaddy106-04-2025 7:35pm

...
75 posts total
View entire discussion

gdaddy1 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 278 posts 06-05-2025 at 05:10pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete 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.
gdaddy1 OP Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 278 posts 06-05-2025 at 05:26pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete These guys get it...
ticat Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 391 posts 06-05-2025 at 05:29pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I agree with the concept and recognize the value of the idea. It works, as any who has tried it would appreciate. Unfortunately, for those of use who are married, the black background may not pass the Wife Acceptance Factor.
musicfan2349 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 252 posts 06-05-2025 at 05:38pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete If I may? I rather agree with the OP's suggestion, if not necessarily their enthusiasm, about darkening the spaces around and behind 2ch speakers. For the most part I do tend to listen with my eyes closed during the day and in a darkened living room at night to aid in the mental sound stage. Then again, having cream colored Acoustat 1+1's the black paint idea might not work all that well for me. In our next home I do plan to finish my audio salon in muted/dark tones to set a tranquil, relaxed mood and compliment the B&W Matrix 800's I'll be setting up. FWIW, I found this on Reddit some months back on how to fool the eye regarding a room's dimensions: https://www.reddit.com/r/coolguides/s/tdxQMYjgHh Hopefully someone will find it useful? Happy listening.
bigdoghoss Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6 posts 06-05-2025 at 06:19pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete Hang black velvet on the wall... or just turn out the lights, but I may try reducing the clutter. The room could use that.