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Importance of wall behind listener?

In my audio setup, I essentially have no back walls to speak of. Behind the listener is an opening into a long hallway, an opening to a den (to the left of listening position), and an opening to the kitchen (to the right of listening position). I'm wondering if this is a hinderence in getting a truly 3D holographic soundstage representation. Other folks who have a near identical systems get phenominal soundstages, so I know it's not any of the equipment. The difference is they have a back wall vs. my no back wall, and their straight ceiling vs. my sloped celiling (peaked at center, dropping on both sides).

Any thoughts?
1markr

Showing 2 responses by sns

sns
3,003 posts
 
I have a nearly identical room with essentially no back wall and sloped ceiling. I have experimented with various acoustic treatments behind the listening postion. Absorbers kill the openness, and even diffusors sound less open than just leaving that space alone. One thing that will help is diffusors on the ceiling, I use RPG Skylines and Doublebusters. You may also want to try diffusors behind the speakers. I get a very nice enveloping and palpable soundstage with these treatments!
sns
3,003 posts
 
1mrkr, I should have made it more clear that I do use diffusion behind my listening position, only on the ceiling. I use a combination of skylines and doublebusters spread from just behind 1st reflection point on ceiling to behind listening postion. Sitting diffusors on floor stands behind listening postion has not worked as well as the natural ambience of no diffusors.
On WAF, that is difficult for me to know, I have a dedicated listening room so it doesn't matter. I actually like the esthetics of a fully treated room, I'm not so sure others do.
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