POLL: Forward or Laid-back Soundstage.

[mdavis]

Hi folks.

Yesterday I had and audiophile buddy over to listen to a few changes to my system. Overall he was impressed with the experience but stated that he wants the sound to "come at" him more. He felt that since my system presents a the soundstage farther back than his, he wasn't hearing details as clearly as he should.

Personally, I prefer a somewhat laid-back presentation. It feels natural to me and compliments my small listening room.

So, I'm simply curious about how you all prefer your soundstage presentation. What say you?

[Still-One]

I prefer a forward presentation yet with some depth. Very much like live music sounds.

[gadawg]

After thinking about this for a bit I think a bit of both actually. I like a soundstage that has the greatest distance between front and back which means some of it might be fairly close up then other parts are way far off. Big soundstage but with very solid images spread out all over the place ... and yes I want my cake and eat it too!

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by Still-One

I prefer a forward presentation yet with some depth. Very much like live music sounds.

Agree with Jim.

I want to trigger a visual in which the singer(s) and guitar player(s) are more forward; yet, the drummer and possibly others, depending, are closer to my back wall (but not pasted there).

Best Sirs,

Bob

P.S. Hope it was okay to change Jim's word from "line" to "live" in my post.

[Kal Rubinson]

Neither. It should vary as dictated by the source.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by Kal Rubinson

Neither. It should vary as dictated by the source.

end thread?

[PHC1]

Other than small differences of how speakers recreate the depth of soundstage (not talking about anything else here) and the even tinier, minute differences the rest of the system and differences there bring, the depth of the soundstage and the perceived details or resolution because of depth, is a function of speaker placement in the room and boundaries like the back wall and the acoustics of the room itself.

Place the speakers far from the well treated rear wall (behind speakers) and side walls and the soundstage will be deep and wide and will tend to sound laid back but all the details will still be there. Place speakers near a reflective rear or side walls and the soundstage will collapse, appear forward and not as wide as well as accentuating certain frequencies which add to the illusion of extra spark or detail (most of the time too much so and fatiguing)

In a well setup and treated room the soundstage will very often defy physical barriers depending on the recording and gives the illusion of instruments emanating from behind and beyond the physical walls in the room.

[SCAudiophile]

Originally Posted by PHC1

Other than small differences of how speakers recreate the depth of soundstage (not talking about anything else here) and the even tinier, minute differences the rest of the system and differences there bring, the depth of the soundstage and the perceived details or resolution because of depth, is a function of speaker placement in the room and boundaries like the back wall and the acoustics of the room itself.

Place the speakers far from the well treated rear wall (behind speakers) and side walls and the soundstage will be deep and wide and will tend to sound laid back but all the details will still be there. Place speakers near a reflective rear or side walls and the soundstage will collapse, appear forward and not as wide as well as accentuating certain frequencies which add to the illusion of extra spark or detail (most of the time too much so and fatiguing)

In a well setup and treated room the soundstage will very often defy physical barriers depending on the recording and gives the illusion of instruments emanating from behind and beyond the physical walls in the room.

+1 on this and truth of the source.

[mdavis]

Excellent thoughs here. My soundstage varies with the recording. Orchestral generally starts behind the speaker and extend very deep while lead vocals from say typical Zeppelin is in the middle of the mix and vocals from Ella (or even Adele) are at the forward plane of the speaker w/3D rendering.

As mentioned earlier it seems that a system that consistently reproduces the presentation only in a certain way may not be truthful to the recording (although some will prefer this). I just found it interesting that my audiophile friend (who's an experienced listener) confused the way the system presented music with a lack of detail, when in fact the detail is there and proportionally attached to the instruments making the sounds. Also, I understand why he likes a very forward sound, but for me it's the difference of speaking to someone from a comfortable distance versus a close talker who gets right in your face.

Nevertheless, I always find it facinating to try to understand what others are drawn to in their listening experience. Sometimes, music can even take on a different meaning that way. I guess that's one of the reasons I enjoy this hobby so much.

Thanks for sharing your responses.

[imprezap2]

The two main digital sources that I use, Wadia 381i and Ayre DX-5, both throw a large and deep soundstage, the difference is that with the Ayre DX-5 the soundstage moves more in front of the speakers, with the Wadia the soundstage moves a bit further away from listening position.

Off course soundstage depends on the recording heavily.