Thank you all for responses thus far. I apologize for the belated reply. Homework to help with, High School Open House one night and open curiosity as a reader instead of being the OP are the reasons. The other night I tried moving the TV out of the way. At first, the difference was subtle (ie not immediate nor night/day) but over the space of a few hours as I listened intently there was an apparent improvement in the illusion of depth. I think this was aided significantly by there being no visual barrier directly in front of me. With the absence of the TV, the soundstage was hovering in space between and behind the speakers, and thus seemed to be more holographic and go deeper. Another interesting observation: the soundstage seemed to end at the furthest visual barrier. In this case, it was now the wall. But at any rate, there was more dimensionality. Also, the removal of the TV alleviated some frequency glare in the midrange. So the TV is contributing not just to a perceived flatness in stage but also negatively to the sonic reproduction.
And being a true and crazy audiophile, yesterday I went down to Best Buy and bought a flat panel plasma to hang on the wall. This despite my current TV working perfectly fine. But what would an audiophile be if not obsessed with that last percentage of realism, no matter what the cost or logic? I now will happily list my current TV on craigslist for a little more then 1/10 what I paid for it a few years ago.
to address some specific comments:
@ Niturner920 and Peter_s re: DIY diffusion panels. Feel free to PM me and I will explain how I made the panels. Cost and labor are both fairly negligible.
@ Bryoncunningham and others re: material on the wall behind my head. Currently there are two 2x4x2" fiberglass absorption panels on the wall behind my head. I tried the DIY diffusion panels there but they didn't seem to improve anything. Regarding the vaulted ceiling - it's true that it is pointed the 'wrong way', ie ideally in my room things would be turned 180ยบ so that the ceiling would be going up toward me like an amphitheater. Unfortunately, that layout doesn't work for other reasons in my room. I've thought about hanging panels from the ceiling at reflection points above my head but am not crazy about poking holes in my ceiling just yet, mostly because I'm not sure I have the paint color to touch up the holes if I want to repair them.
@ Tpreaves/Rrog re: entry way. Good observation. I will try putting an absorptive panel in there and listen for an improvement. I realized in the back of my head that having that large hole behind my speaker was a liability, but never thought to treat it. Also regarding the leather couch, there is a large sheepskin blanket/rug draped over the length of the top to address the purpose of reflection from the leather.
And being a true and crazy audiophile, yesterday I went down to Best Buy and bought a flat panel plasma to hang on the wall. This despite my current TV working perfectly fine. But what would an audiophile be if not obsessed with that last percentage of realism, no matter what the cost or logic? I now will happily list my current TV on craigslist for a little more then 1/10 what I paid for it a few years ago.
to address some specific comments:
@ Niturner920 and Peter_s re: DIY diffusion panels. Feel free to PM me and I will explain how I made the panels. Cost and labor are both fairly negligible.
@ Bryoncunningham and others re: material on the wall behind my head. Currently there are two 2x4x2" fiberglass absorption panels on the wall behind my head. I tried the DIY diffusion panels there but they didn't seem to improve anything. Regarding the vaulted ceiling - it's true that it is pointed the 'wrong way', ie ideally in my room things would be turned 180ยบ so that the ceiling would be going up toward me like an amphitheater. Unfortunately, that layout doesn't work for other reasons in my room. I've thought about hanging panels from the ceiling at reflection points above my head but am not crazy about poking holes in my ceiling just yet, mostly because I'm not sure I have the paint color to touch up the holes if I want to repair them.
@ Tpreaves/Rrog re: entry way. Good observation. I will try putting an absorptive panel in there and listen for an improvement. I realized in the back of my head that having that large hole behind my speaker was a liability, but never thought to treat it. Also regarding the leather couch, there is a large sheepskin blanket/rug draped over the length of the top to address the purpose of reflection from the leather.