Sat front row at the symphony...

viber6  -- Oh yeah. A long, long time ago I saw the Preservation Hall Band at Preservation Hall. Truly excellent. It didn't hurt that I was maybe 16 at the time and was able to get a beer (my let's-have-fun older cousin headed up the trip, not my parents). I later saw the Preservation Hall Jazz Band at a slightly different locale, the tony Ambassador Auditorium in Pasadena. Thanks for jogging my memory!

@viber6 For 20 years I had various stats.  My favorite was the Acoustat 2+2.  My last was an ML Monolith III.  My new wife (1st died) hated them for their beaminess, lack of dynamic contrast, inadequate bass and overall brightness (replaced by Legacy Focus 23 years ago).  I enjoyed hearing Maggies, SoundLabs which are are essentially straight panels, Alsyvox, etc. flat speakers.  So, I certainly agree that I prefer flat panel stats and planars to curved ones.  

Each concert hall has their own sonic signature as I am certain you must know. 
 

That said, as a general rule, a few rows back will give the most balanced sonic experience. 

The idea that “the conductor’s perspective” (location) is best is flawed. Good orchestral composers and orchestrators are keenly aware of and exploit the fact that instrumental sounds blend to create specific desired colors and textures when heard from a distance. Just one example, a unison musical line played by a clarinet and a flute will sound very different and with a unique tonal color when heard from a distance than it will heard up close. The “detail” and separation heard up close may not be at all what the composer intends for the composition.

@mikeydee Glad you enjoyed it. A great Orchestra and venue. A  close colleague  of  mine plays with the PSO.

Also, their association with Reference Recording gives us wonderful things to listen to at home.