Does anybody hear difference with a coffee table in place?

T Boost · Jul 21, 2018

Hey chaps, I just joined this forum and I've searched and can't see that anyone has asked this question before.
Do you have a coffee table in your room between you and your gear? Can anyone hear difference if one is there or not?
Here's mine. It's not large or bulky, maybe why I can't hear a difference.

Mike Lavigne · Jul 21, 2018

T Boost said:
View attachment 42790Hey chaps, I just joined this forum and I've searched and can't see that anyone has asked this question before.
Do you have a coffee table in your room between you and your gear? Can anyone hear difference if one is there or not?
Here's mine. It's not large or bulky, maybe why I can't hear a difference.

I can hear the difference with a small 16" x 16" low table next to (on the side of) my listening position I use for my remote, lap top, cell phone and beverage. for serious listening or groups all tables are banished to either the rear of the room or out of the room. for daily casual listening the table stays.....as I multi-task.

will every system/room have the same sensitivity?

that is a good question.....my guess is that mine is more revealing than some others of this type thing. this is an easy thing to check as small tables are easy to move.

Steve Williams · Jul 21, 2018

If you can't hear a difference with it there why beat yourself up trying to her it. Experiment is over

Mike Lavigne · Jul 21, 2018

oh and btw, welcome to What's Best Forum.......and I like the picture of your listening room. looks like a very nice and elegant spot to listen.....with some serious gear.

best regards,

Mike

Steve Williams · Jul 21, 2018

Like Mike I didn’t see that this was your first post. Indeed a warm welcome to WBF.

sbo6 · Jul 21, 2018

I also hear a difference with my side table in place and even a difference when the laptop on the side table is open or closed. I would think it also depends on your room size, amount of or lack thereof of room treatment, sweet spot position, the system and your ears. Drinking alcoholic beverages seems to reduce any side or coffee table inclusion effects ;-)

Welcome to WBF! Nice system!

astrotoy · Jul 21, 2018

Welcome!

In addition to objects between the listener and the speakers, some people prefer not to have any equipment between the speakers. That is a more difficult problem to solve (I have my equipment between, but behind my speakers). People have their equipment on the side or on the back wall. Finally, some people use material to diffuse or dampen the rear reflections from hard surfaces behind the speakers, and first and second reflection points on the side walls Rear walls are often left more live.

I even visited a home recently with a very nice system with a fancy sound absorbing/reflecting/resonating device positioned half way between the two speakers (nothing else between or behind the speakers - equipment on the side).

Larry

Mosin · Jul 21, 2018

I can hear a difference, but it isn't particularly significant.

The biggest change you could hear in your room would be if you covered the glass behind your system. I believe it would be a major change for the better. It is at least an experiment worth looking into. My two cents, for whatever that's worth.

Priaptor · Jul 21, 2018

I am a “purist” in this sense. My chair is low back, no reclining and nothing between me and my speakers.

still-one · Jul 21, 2018

Some of us are fortunate to have dedicated rooms where we don not have to place tables between us and our speakers, nor do we have to place tall objects between them. For those who must accept some trade offs I wouldn't mess up the fictionality of a room just for improvements that would not be apparent to most just walking into a room.

PeterA · Jul 21, 2018

Priaptor said:
I am a “purist” in this sense. My chair is low back, no reclining and nothing between me and my speakers.

Same here. I add the coffee table back in when we have dinner parties, but most of time it is out of the room. I agree with Mosin about the glass front wall.

Wecome to WBF. Are those Eggleston speakers? I used to own a pair of Rosas.

NorthStar · Jul 21, 2018

More Canadians the better. :b
Welcome to WBF!

* Your table is elegant; it fits your room and it is practical to put your books, your cognac and your cigar box. Leave it there, because I too can't hear a difference for the better or worst.
___

And Peter you are correct.
• http://www.chantlibre.com/enceintes-egglestonworks-emma.asp

https://youtu.be/TSEFBDQyl-0
___

16819158_1972516382977255_3770401650134887654_o.jp g

?http://www.tonepublications.com/review/egglestonworks-emma-loudspeakers/

Because "All You Need" ... from the review above ^

https://youtu.be/PHG6dtPT6vs

Priaptor · Jul 21, 2018

still-one said:
Some of us are fortunate to have dedicated rooms where we don not have to place tables between us and our speakers, nor do we have to place tall objects between them. For those who must accept some trade offs I wouldn't mess up the fictionality of a room just for improvements that would not be apparent to most just walking into a room.

My perspective of this is that everything matters. Looking at your system I can't imagine you have "things" between your speakers and listening location or that you have a lounge chair/recliner with a high back.

The point being, it depends what we are looking for and what are preferences are. If I wanted my listening area to be a show and entertaining area, yeah no problem with a coffee table, high back chair, ottoman, speakers stuck in a wall unit, etc BUT if I were looking for high fidelity that befits a system with X2s, Momentum M-400s, etc, there would be no way I would compromise that experience.

Just my opinion but also just laying out the bare truth as I see it, especially if you are investing big time in a gear. It took me years to find the optimal listening chair.

Tango · Jul 21, 2018

I hope you continue to enjoy your music, system while putting up your feet on a coffee table. Listen comfortably.
My system is in my office. I sit behind a huge glass working table. Any sound differences? Of course. But my wife keeps reminding me not to be too silly

. I like it when my system “caught me off guard” working while listening. I don’t hear any differences when my dog sleeps in front of one side of my horn though.

Kind regards,
Tang

jeff1225 · Jul 21, 2018

it_prd_ovw_nelson_platform_bench_01.jpg.rendition.480.480.jpg

This is the coffee table I use, Nelson Bench by Herman Miller. And, as a bonus, it acts as a scatter plate.

NorthStar · Jul 21, 2018

I like that one too.

audioguy · Jul 21, 2018

This is one of those differences usually easily measurable (and audible). I did some work in mixing/mastering studios and both the soffit speakers and console mounted speakers had an obvious bounce off the console. In your room, of course, the distance (and angle) to the table is much different.

But how large is the problem and how much does it affect your listening pleasure? If not much, leave it alone and put your feet up and enjoy your music.

Sammy T · Jul 21, 2018

Looks like a bench at a golf course

NorthStar · Jul 22, 2018

Noooh!

° https://www.hermanmiller.com/products/seating/benches/nelson-platform-bench/

Priaptor · Jul 22, 2018

sammy t said:
looks like a bench at a golf course

lmao

Does anybody hear difference with a coffee table in place?

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