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Near field speaker setup

Hello!

I bought some LS-50 speakers and have them setup very close to my work table. The distance is about 5 1/2 feet apart tweeter to tweeter, around 3 1/2 feet - ear level with tweeters and I'm about 3 1/2 feet away, toe in 12 degrees.

What I want to know is, why does it sound so good this close? I hear a soundstage with the singer for example right in the middle, very detailed and instruments scattered around that sound spacious and detailed. I play at pretty low levels, maybe thats the key. If I move the speakers farther apart or move further away the effect I described fades. If anyone has a constructive comments on how to make it even better or confirm what Im hearing. Im just surprised how close I am.
I plan on trying a lot of different combinations, being stuck at home these days!

thanks for any feedback.

-Richard
128x128rgartner
doni
366 posts
 
Curious wha amp. are you using?  I have similar setup to yours, and am very impressed with the sound.  I’m using a class D ncore amp.  I think the LS 50’s sound especially good nearfield because of the coaxial drivers.  Other speakers I’ve tried in this configuration haven’t been as impressive.
extravaganza
373 posts
 
I had exact experience with harbeth shl5 .
Amp can inlfuence such image which you described
Solid state top amps like luxman,technics,etc..from japan does this effect too
rocray's avatar
rocray
1,448 posts
 
Near field listening,such as you have,eliminates room interaction. ( for the most part) 
elliottbnewcombjr
5,562 posts
 
My office, small bookshelf B&W with a sub in the middle, equidistant close triangle, direct sound prior to reflections, imaging is terrific. Big music system downstairs, bigger drivers, horns, bigger room, very nice imaging, but not as precise as my perfect close triangle upstairs.

I would encourage you to add a self-powered sub, not loud bass, just enough for bass extension, and a large benefit of self powered subs: removes the need for the smaller mains to try to do low bass, easier on the main amp not trying to do low bass also.

Many people make the mistake of going for too much bass, muddying up their mids.
rgartner's avatar
rgartner OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for all the feedback. Nice setup millercarbon, that took a while to drink in! Im onboard with the "every little thing" in sum does matter.

Im using an apple laptop -> Tidal -> Yggdrasil DAC -> Naim Nait 5i setup. Very happy with the way it sounds but for some reason in this hobby my mind keeps wanting more, after partaking in some extra curricular activities :), I moved in very close with this system as I describe its crazy the way the music sounds, hard to see how it can get better and Im certain it can since my system is not that high end.
I'd like to move to tubes and been looking at a PrimaLuna setup. I have a bottlehead headphone tube amp with sennheiser hd600 (pretty basic stuff) and that sounds incredible as well. Plan on fooling around with room acoustics as described from some of you today.
Anyway, having a fun time with all this hope you all are too, thanks again!

-Richard
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