I have a well padded full leather high back chair in the sweet spot . Not sure whether I’m imagining that sound is better with a low back chair with back rest at shoulder level and upholstered with fabric . I’m curious what kind of chair members prefer
‘Listening chair‘
- Thread starter alfa100
- Start date
Definitely lower back, choice of covering isn’t important, whatever you prefer.
david
Low back. Look for the E-Kornes Stressless line. They even have different sizes (S/M/L), depending how tall/big you are.
Agree, the Stressless is a good choice.
I recently went and got another pair of Eames lounge chairs with ottoman. Made in China off of Amazon. The quality difference between the knock- off bought 10 years ago and these is night and day. These are so much more like the $6,000 ones made in USA but are only $600.
Leaves more money for other things in life.
I recently went and got another pair of Eames lounge chairs with ottoman. Made in China off of Amazon. The quality difference between the knock- off bought 10 years ago and these is night and day. These are so much more like the $6,000 ones made in USA but are only $600.
Leaves more money for other things in life.
Steve Williams
Site Founder, Site Co-Owner, Administrator
This is not an area where advancing technology brings about much change in recommendations. Thus my thoughts in my 2010 "The Listening Chair" thread remain basically unchanged.
I would only stress that leather/vinyl surfaces for such a chair are not the best choice, especially in systems where the speakers are aimed at the listening position. Such materials are basically reflective and will definitely negatively affect your perception of imaging and staging. I would also emphasize that this whole area is one of trading off comfort for sonic excellence. A vestigial chair like a simple height-adjustable stool is the sonic touchstone, while a back-and-head supportive reclining lounge chair is at the extreme comfort end of the scale. You have to make a personal decision about what is best for you based on the criteria I outlined in The Listening Chair thread.
With changing system sources I'd also point out that holding a large control tablet like an iPad in your lap will be sonically detrimental to an almost unbelievable degree. It's like putting your head near a totally untreated glass window--worse because as you manipulate the iPad the angle of reflections keeps changing. For serious listening, once you've dialed in your program source and volume, put that "remote control" on the floor out of your sight so that the glass will no longer affect the sound you hear.
I would only stress that leather/vinyl surfaces for such a chair are not the best choice, especially in systems where the speakers are aimed at the listening position. Such materials are basically reflective and will definitely negatively affect your perception of imaging and staging. I would also emphasize that this whole area is one of trading off comfort for sonic excellence. A vestigial chair like a simple height-adjustable stool is the sonic touchstone, while a back-and-head supportive reclining lounge chair is at the extreme comfort end of the scale. You have to make a personal decision about what is best for you based on the criteria I outlined in The Listening Chair thread.
With changing system sources I'd also point out that holding a large control tablet like an iPad in your lap will be sonically detrimental to an almost unbelievable degree. It's like putting your head near a totally untreated glass window--worse because as you manipulate the iPad the angle of reflections keeps changing. For serious listening, once you've dialed in your program source and volume, put that "remote control" on the floor out of your sight so that the glass will no longer affect the sound you hear.
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Elliot G.
Dealer - Bending Wave
A chair with a high back that extends above your shoulders is not a chair that one would prefer to use for serious listening... period.
If you are trying to get the best sonic result then why would you want a filter around your ears????
If you are trying to get the best sonic result then why would you want a filter around your ears????
Elliot G.
Dealer - Bending Wave
are you a Giraffe Howie? LOLSurely it depends on how long your neck is?
Unfortunately I have a leather sofa. I got some bad advice a few years ago from a so called acoustician who said it wouldn't matter. Well, I have attached the REW data for all to see. At least my sofa is a low back so I purchased an extra large king size pillowcase and put 4" of denim insulation in it. You can see the before/after I put the pillow on the back headrest. This is a very audible difference. I was also getting sound reflection from the arms of the sofa that I put pillows (stuffed with denim insulation) to cover. Do yourself a favor and stay away from leather/vinyl.
One other thing that can/will happen with leather is that it will vibrate and become a resonator. This can cause absorption at frequencies you don't want.
One other thing that can/will happen with leather is that it will vibrate and become a resonator. This can cause absorption at frequencies you don't want.
Attachments
I totally disagree about the needing a low back chair. All theory, shit for proof. There are some chairs with wings and that are way behind head support tall that might be problematic like no padding that is absorptive... Really though if you need to hear the room behind you to enjoy your stereo I think you have other problems. The music should come to you, you shouldn't have to be at attention to read it.
I got one of these, it's the best of both worlds. Headrest down and sit upright for serious listening, headrest up and recline when comfort is the priority.
Sometimes rooms have excessive bass and leather sofa's can result in a desirable attenuation of some peaks. Can you explain us how these measurements were taken and which is which?
I have the leather Ekorne Reno's in my room and do not see any adverse consequence of their insertion. The Reno headrest is adjustable and I keep it in the lower position for music.
Furniture is part of the room acoustics as is everyone's fat butts, did anyone measure that too ? Buy a minimalist bar stool with open legs if you don't want anything to show up in your measurements and make sure that you leave the room when playing music, just in case ! How does anyone know that leather is worse than cloth, how do you measure that? Did you take out filling and measure it? A larger sofa is going to be more absorbent than a chair no matter what the material.
david
? Buy a minimalist bar stool with open legs if you don't want anything to show up in your measurements and make sure that you leave the room when playing music, just in case ! How does anyone know that leather is worse than cloth, how do you measure that? Did you take out filling and measure it? A larger sofa is going to be more absorbent than a chair no matter what the material.david
Has anybody else fantasized about an old school barber's chair? Would be cool to get a real straight razor shave to boot !
Now you guys have me worried. I normally listen wearing only my water buffalo leather underpants. Do I need to A/B my faux leopard fur woollen thong? Problem is they have little bells as accessories and I'm concerned they might attenuate the highs down in my undercroft
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