Can you have a huge 3D soundstage in a small room?


Ok I just came from a dealer where I listened to the Krell Resolution speaker and the sound stage was GIGANTIC. This is what Ive been trying to achieve in my room for years. The dealers room was quite large. I would say about 18w'x 25d'x 12'ceiling approximately. My room is 13'x 35'x 8'ceiling. The speakers have to go on the long wall. Right now I am using the Vandersteen 2CE Sig and I know that they need to go but am I ever going to get that huge holographic sound in my current room? I am willing to spend the money if it will work.

Thanks
braro

Showing 1 response by audiokinesis

My room is similar to yours in dimensions, and I can get excellent depth and a fairly wide soundstage but still not as wide as in a wider room. On some recordings, I can get sounds coming from outside the speakers and even directly to the right or left of the listening position. I'm using relatively phase-coherent speakers (full-range electrostats) and treating the first reflection zones with diffusion (fake ficus trees).

I agree with Zargon that the Vandies are very capable in the imaging department. Unless your room is overly bright, my standard suggestion is to try fake ficus trees along the sidewalls in the first reflection zones (typically $29.95 each in your local craft store). If your room is too bright, then absorption in the first reflection zones might work better.

You might also try nearfield listening - that is, with your listening chair less than 6 feet from the speakers. The direct sound should dominate with such a setup. Now the driver integration may be a problem at such close range, but experiment with different ear heights (try slouching more than normal) and see if that doesn't help snap the imaging into focus. The

Duke