A flat but precise soundstage can be effected with bookshelf (or other close-boundary support) mounting. However, soundstage depth can't really exist behind the speaker plane except via frequency-related nonlinearities (psychoacoustic tricks). Speaker designers have a major decision to make when designing for free-space or boundary support, irrespective of venting issues. A good example is how JMLabs and PSB both blew it by simply taking their normally stand-mounted satellites and reconfigured the cabinets for surround function, but seemingly didn't bother to revoice them for the consequent boundary support. The result are lots of congestion in the upper bass and lower mids. Further, Boston did a great job here with their VR-MX sats, as an example. I just saw newish versions from Spendor and Wharfedale, and trust that these surrounds are properly voiced too. As a gross generality, if a small speaker sounds too lean on a stand in free space then it was (hopefully) voiced for boundary support, and may sound much better on a (sturdy) bookshelf or on a stand pushed closer to the wall. OTOH if it sounds great in free space it risks sounding bloated, congested and too warm with boundary support. Thank you Roy Allsion!
Soundstage and the effect of the rear wall
I'm a little confused about how the distance that a speaker is from the rear wall will effect the quality, depth, etc of the soundstage.
Due to practical considerations my speakers are placed on shelves, which are mounted to the wall. There is only about 1"-2" between the back of the speaker and the wall. I realize that this will tend to enforce (or maybe exaggerate) low notes to a degree, but with these speakers I am not all that concerned about this. I am more concerned with trying to optimize this system's soundstaging/imaging abilities and how the close placement to the rear wall might effect that, if in fact it does. Or does that low note enforcement effect soundstaging in some way?
Should I treat the rear wall behind the speaker in some way? If so, would it be better to absorb or diffuse for this purpose?
Thanks, Jb3
Due to practical considerations my speakers are placed on shelves, which are mounted to the wall. There is only about 1"-2" between the back of the speaker and the wall. I realize that this will tend to enforce (or maybe exaggerate) low notes to a degree, but with these speakers I am not all that concerned about this. I am more concerned with trying to optimize this system's soundstaging/imaging abilities and how the close placement to the rear wall might effect that, if in fact it does. Or does that low note enforcement effect soundstaging in some way?
Should I treat the rear wall behind the speaker in some way? If so, would it be better to absorb or diffuse for this purpose?
Thanks, Jb3