Welcome to the AudioShark Forums.
Results 1 to 21 of 21
  1. #1
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,961

    Seating choices and reflections

    Wondering what opinions are out there for listening seat (or seats, chaise, couch, etc.) and material types and heights of seat backs.

    Comfort may rule when listening, but are there certain materials and back-heights to either avoid or seek out when wanting to replace the place where you put your butt?

    I've personally noticed that overall height seems to make the most difference with regards to reflections that hit my ear. E.g., Higher seat-back = more reflections/splashy sound that enters my ears. Same with smooth surfaces such as leather. Combine a high-back seat + leather covering and reflections are exacerbated.

    Then comfort enters the picture, and low back fabric seats might not be the most comfortable. So there must be a compromise that some of you have found. Please share your best mix of comfort and limited reflection solutions. Would love to know what you've found as the magic butt holder in your rooms.

    Thanks.
    Avanti Audio

    arc sp-11 or ls27 | arc d130 | vpi classic 2 w/periphery ring w/Si3N4 bearing & sapphire thrust plate & 2x jmw 10.5i | phoenix engineering eagle & road runner | ortofon cadenza bronze, miyajima zero mono | sentec eq11 w/ Sylvania 5751 TMBP & CBS 7318 | auditorium a23 | canton ref 9 dc | 2x m&k v125 | oppo bdp-95 | chord qutest | lumin d1 & sbooster | avanti audio vivace cables

  2. #2
    Banned
    Join Date
    Dec 2019
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    786

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Since I have a bad back, I enjoy Hancock & Moore Leather Lift Chair (Austin model). A lot of people like the Ekornes chair. One of my favorites is the Human Touch Omni Perfect Chair.

  3. #3
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3,381

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    There was an amazing thread on WBF I believe on high-end listening chairs. They were gorgeous!

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
    Power: Two AudioQuest Niagara 5000’s with AudioQuest Dragon and Hurricane Power Cords

  4. #4
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    San Jose, CA
    Posts
    455

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    We have custom seating so the back heights are below ear level in order to prevent the reflections you're asking about. But it does mean holding your head up using your neck, instead of have support from the seat back.
    Neko Audio
    Authorized Dealer: AC Infinity, APC, Audeze, Bryston, Devialet, Elite HTS, Fortress Seating, JMF Audio, JVC, Kaleidescape, LG, LUMIN, Magico, Ortofon, RME, Samsung, Soulution, STAX, Trinnov, Vivid Audio, Weiss & more.

  5. #5
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,961

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by NekoAudio View Post
    We have custom seating so the back heights are below ear level in order to prevent the reflections you're asking about. But it does mean holding your head up using your neck, instead of have support from the seat back.
    Thanks, this is what I am purposely trying to avoid...seat-backs that are tall and wider than my head faced with reflective materials, or even too absorptive materials. So many "audiophile chairs" seem anti-ear friendly with their height and material types.

    Perhaps the best choice for my needs of comfort, style and low-back is something like, or an array of Cassina (or equal) Le Corbusier LC2 lounge chairs. I'd like to have a comfy and functional sweet spot when solo listening but also allow other listeners a spot to enjoy the music together. I do love the design and comfort that the Le Corbusier LC2 affords.

    Maybe I just answered my own question. LOL.
    Avanti Audio

    arc sp-11 or ls27 | arc d130 | vpi classic 2 w/periphery ring w/Si3N4 bearing & sapphire thrust plate & 2x jmw 10.5i | phoenix engineering eagle & road runner | ortofon cadenza bronze, miyajima zero mono | sentec eq11 w/ Sylvania 5751 TMBP & CBS 7318 | auditorium a23 | canton ref 9 dc | 2x m&k v125 | oppo bdp-95 | chord qutest | lumin d1 & sbooster | avanti audio vivace cables

  6. #6
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2014
    Location
    USA
    Posts
    3,381

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    I really like the Ekornes Stressless Classic Recliners. I may eventually purchase one of these. They make some lower back versions for those concerned about acoustic interference.

    https://shop.stressless.com/en/c/rec...BASE_CLA&text=

    Ken
    "No summit worth climbing is easily attained."
    --------------------------------------------
    Source: MSB Select II DAC with Two Mono Powerbases and Femto 33 Clock; Renderer V2 Digital Input Module and Roon Nucleus Plus; MSB UMT V Signature Transport
    Amps: Vandersteen M7-HPA Mono Amps; MSB M204 Mono Amps
    Speakers: Vandersteen Model 7 Mk2
    Power: Two AudioQuest Niagara 5000’s with AudioQuest Dragon and Hurricane Power Cords

  7. #7
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    east of Seattle
    Posts
    821

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    here is the big question;

    do you want a 1 hour chair?
    a 2 hour chair?
    a 4 hour chair?
    or a 12 hour chair? which is a chair prescribed by doctors for patients that cannot lay down flat.

    i listen for 30 hours a week and many long sessions. so i need a 12 hour chair. not everyone listens so much, or maybe the WAF is a dominant issue.

    a zero gravity chair of some sort (there are lots of different makers) keeps the angle constant between the leg and back and fully supports the lower leg. it was designed by NASA in the 50's for rocket launch since it distributes the weight of the body over the whole length. it takes the weight off your butt/spine. it does have a high back and so for listening it needs particular characteristics to minimize chair ear reflections.

    my 'Relax the Back' store zero gravity 'Perfect Chair' had it's 20 year anniversary in my room last May, this month it will be 21 years old. i'll be buried with it. it's a 'long' 'narrow' version with a visco-elastic memory foam and is rounded at the top with a half round pillow that reflects the sound away from my ears so it does not change tonality. i have not adjusted the angle of this chair since it was new. i can essentially sit in this chair continually. if i hurt myself or have body aches sitting in this chair literally heals me. somehow it's a therapy of some sort. at 68 years old i do fall asleep listening frequently, but it never causes any pain anywhere.....which is an important issue.

    i do own a Ekones Stressless chair for my football watching area which i view as a 2 hour chair. i have to get up and stretch after 2 hours or move the chair position around. and i can lay it back farther. i'm always moving it around to prevent back ache. i do have an Ekones Stressless sofa in my listening room sitting behind my zero-grav chair. i'd call that a 2-3 hour sofa, which is high praise for a sofa.

    also in my listening room i have a Cassina K10 DoDo chair that pivots, that i move into place when i have company which i view as a 1 hour chair. it has a low back and works great in the sweet spot for communal listening. and it's very elegant looking. you see it in my room pictures (my zero gravity chair is not in any recent pictures).

    i'm long waisted so i sit high. my zero gravity chair angle/position puts my ears at tweeter height. my K10 DoDo sits higher so works better for visitors. plus at this point i'm protective of my zero gravity chair as it has a hardwood frame and it's getting a bit fragile so i mostly keep it to myself. you have to be careful how you enter and exit.

  8. #8
    Audioshark
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Location
    Sarasota, FL
    Posts
    30,044

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Mike, that chair looks comfortable, but aren’t you laying a bit too flat?
    My Systems: http://www.audioshark.org/showthread...481#post158481

    "We can hear everything we measure, but we can't measure everything we hear. Let your ears be your guide."

    Dealer for: Aqua Hi-Fi, Aurender, AudioQuest Cables & Power Products, Berkeley Audio, Block Audio (distributor), Boulder Amplifiers, Bowers & Wilkins (B&W), Bryston, Clarisys Audio Loudspeakers (distributor), Classe’ Audio, Degritter Record Cleaning Machines, Esoteric, Finite Elemente, FirstWatt, Focal Loudspeakers and Headphones, GigaFoil, Harbeth Loudspeakers, Hegel, HiFi Man, Innuos, ISO Acoustics, Keces Power Supplies, Kharma Loudspeakers and Electronics, Kuzma Turntables, Lumin, Luxman, Magico Loudspeakers, MBL Speakers & Electronics, MSB Technologies, MySonicLabs Phono Cartridges, Nordost Cables, Ortofon, Pass Labs, Quadraspire, Rega Turntables and Electronics, Shunyata Research, STAX, Stein Music Products, Stillpoints, Soulution, VAC, Vicoustics, Viva Audio, VPI Industries, WireWorld Cables.

    https://suncoastaudio.com/
    Phone: 941-932-0282
    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Suncoast-Au...1105178279194/

  9. #9
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2014
    Location
    east of Seattle
    Posts
    821

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike View Post
    Mike, that chair looks comfortable, but aren’t you laying a bit too flat?
    depending on the listener it puts ears at tweeter height. i adjust the back rest for each listener. the seat itself is not as low as some other chairs. my visitors seem to like it. since it pivots it works great for conversation too. it has a heavy metal frame. it's not cheap.

  10. #10
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2018
    Location
    CA
    Posts
    118

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    I wanted a low back leather chair for my listening room and went with this one when it went on sale. It is amazingly comfortable for hours on end and I can keep my remote on one arm and my phone on the other.

    https://www.crateandbarrel.com/briar...,859_4,86_9,35

  11. #11

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by Mike Lavigne View Post
    here is the big question;

    do you want a 1 hour chair?
    a 2 hour chair?
    a 4 hour chair?
    or a 12 hour chair? which is a chair prescribed by doctors for patients that cannot lay down flat.

    i listen for 30 hours a week and many long sessions. so i need a 12 hour chair. not everyone listens so much, or maybe the WAF is a dominant issue.
    Mike, thank you for this post. During quarantine I've been spending more and more time on the couch and this idea of a 12 hour chair sounds very appealing.
    As an aside, I have been following your posts here and on other message boards (particularly about the taiko extreme as I bit the bullet and have one on the way). Your advice on all things audio is always invaluable.

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    SE Pa
    Posts
    2,029

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by Alpinist View Post
    I really like the Ekornes Stressless Classic Recliners. I may eventually purchase one of these. They make some lower back versions for those concerned about acoustic interference.

    Ken
    they also offer adj backs (which I have) for even greater flexibility ......
    Attached Images Attached Images
    Cheers ! …. Dave

  13. #13
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Dec 2018
    Location
    San Jose, CA
    Posts
    455

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    You can also order chairs with a motorized headrest, letting you have it down when you want no reflections and up when you want some head/neck support.
    Neko Audio
    Authorized Dealer: AC Infinity, APC, Audeze, Bryston, Devialet, Elite HTS, Fortress Seating, JMF Audio, JVC, Kaleidescape, LG, LUMIN, Magico, Ortofon, RME, Samsung, Soulution, STAX, Trinnov, Vivid Audio, Weiss & more.

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Nov 2013
    Location
    Colorado
    Posts
    1,961

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Quote Originally Posted by Tubes View Post
    I wanted a low back leather chair for my listening room and went with this one when it went on sale. It is amazingly comfortable for hours on end and I can keep my remote on one arm and my phone on the other.

    https://www.crateandbarrel.com/briar...,859_4,86_9,35


    Great looking chair suggestions guys, thank you.

    Steve...the chair you posted here looks to be more my style, shape, fit and height. My parents have a couple of similar chairs in their living room that I forgot about, and they are very comfortable. Will look further into a low back, upright sitting position design such as your Crate and Barrel suggestion.

    Not sure when I'll move forward with the purchase(s) (I will need at least two if not three for my room since it serves television viewing too) as I'm feeling pretty $$-tight right now given the state of things, but now I have something to research during this time.

    Thanks again guys.
    Avanti Audio

    arc sp-11 or ls27 | arc d130 | vpi classic 2 w/periphery ring w/Si3N4 bearing & sapphire thrust plate & 2x jmw 10.5i | phoenix engineering eagle & road runner | ortofon cadenza bronze, miyajima zero mono | sentec eq11 w/ Sylvania 5751 TMBP & CBS 7318 | auditorium a23 | canton ref 9 dc | 2x m&k v125 | oppo bdp-95 | chord qutest | lumin d1 & sbooster | avanti audio vivace cables

  15. #15
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Apr 2017
    Location
    Wesley Chapel, FL
    Posts
    956

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    I had the same issue as others with a head rest to large.

    Started with this chair.





    I took it the back apart and created a narrow head rest and built a foot stool to match the chair.


    Attached Images Attached Images
    Synology 1019D+ - SGC Sonictransporter I9 w Roon/HQ Player- UltraRendu- PBD Stream IF to Playback Designs MPS5 via fiber optic - ARC 40th Anniversary Pre - ARC 610 T's - Martin Logan CLX's - 4 Martin Logan Depth i Subs - Shunyata Hydra, DIY PCOCC interconnects, speaker cables and power cords with Furutech terminations. Blue Jeans CAT 6's. Acoustically treated room with one permanent chair.

  16. #16
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    24

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Nice work on the chair, footstool and headrest. I admire the talent. Being Covid 19 semi confined except for food pickups and dog walks has taken its toll on my back as I’m listening for more hours than normal. I have a leather surfaced power recliner that was an impulse purchase at Costco. Cheap and cheerful. The height allows my head to clear the backrest at tweeter height. It’s fairly comfortable. The Ekornes Stressless show up on Kijiji regularly if cost is an issue.
    PS Audio BHK Pre, BHK 300's, Direct Stream DAC, Perfect Wave Transport, P5, WOO Audio WA5-LE, Focal Utopia Headphones, Lavricables Headphone Cable, Intel NUC with ROON Rock, Matrix, HDPlex 300W LPS, EtherRegen , Custom Ethernet Cables, Wilson Audio Sasha 1, Iconoclast and Siltech Loom for Speakers, IC’s, power. NRG Custom Cables for high current, Shunyata NR for DAC, Nordost Red Dawn for peripheral devices. California Audio Technologies CAT600.2 amp.

  17. #17
    Junior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2019
    Location
    Canada
    Posts
    24

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Nice work on the chair, footstool and headrest. I admire the talent. Being Covid 19 semi confined except for food pickups and dog walks has taken its toll on my back as I’m listening for more hours than normal. I have a leather surfaced power recliner that was an impulse purchase at Costco. Cheap and cheerful. The height allows my head to clear the backrest at tweeter height. It’s fairly comfortable. The Ekornes Stressless show up on Kijiji regularly if cost is an issue.
    PS Audio BHK Pre, BHK 300's, Direct Stream DAC, Perfect Wave Transport, P5, WOO Audio WA5-LE, Focal Utopia Headphones, Lavricables Headphone Cable, Intel NUC with ROON Rock, Matrix, HDPlex 300W LPS, EtherRegen , Custom Ethernet Cables, Wilson Audio Sasha 1, Iconoclast and Siltech Loom for Speakers, IC’s, power. NRG Custom Cables for high current, Shunyata NR for DAC, Nordost Red Dawn for peripheral devices. California Audio Technologies CAT600.2 amp.

  18. #18

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    all it takes is a towel folded twice on top of the back rest, problem solved. buy what you like..

  19. #19
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Golden, CO
    Posts
    858

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    I’m into mid-century and have been. Using the Saarinen womb chair and ottoman for the last few years. Perfect ear height and it envelops your body keeping things very cozy for hours. Great for napping also.


  20. #20
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Jul 2015
    Location
    Golden, CO
    Posts
    858

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    I’m into mid-century and have been using the Saarinen womb chair and ottoman for the last few years. Perfect ear height and it envelops your body keeping things very cozy for hours. Great for napping also.
    Attached Images Attached Images

  21. #21
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Mar 2014
    Location
    Ormond Beach, Plantation Bay CC
    Posts
    5,172

    Re: Seating choices and reflections

    Ekornes Stressless Classic Recliners we love ours. WE have had our chairs since 2008. Still solid and still very comfortable.
    2chl : Vincent Sp331MkII, W4S STP-SE Stage 2, Kef 201/2, KEF 140, Vapor Breeze, Lumin, Bryston CD, BHA-1, Quicksilver Headamp, HD650, HD800s, HD820's, Dan Clark 1.1, Focal Stellia, OPPO 203, 105. ( Boxed up: Pass Xa-30.5, VPI Classic, Dynavector DV-20XL, Manley Chinook, Cadenza Bronze)

AudioShark - The Best High End Audio Discussion forum.

AudioShark forum is a leading forum site for High End Audio Discussion, Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater System Discussion, Best Home Stereo System Discussion, Home Theater Installation Discussion etc.

The AudioShark forum was created for sharing the passion of high-end Audio. We have Audiophiles from all over the world participating and sharing their knowledge. From novice to experts, you will find a friendly environment for discussing about High End Audio, Stereo System, Home Theater System, Home Stereo System, Home Theater Installation, Amplifiers, Speakers, Subwoofers, Integrated System, Acoustic treatments & Digital Room Corrections and many more.

At AudioShark, we also have incorporated an exciting Marketplace where members can peruse terrific buys on used gear, as well as meet dealers and discuss the purchase of new gear.

We are as crazy about this hobby as you are! So come on in and join us! Audioshark.org the Friendliest Audio Forum!

Industry Participation Disclosure : The owner and administrator of Audioshark is the owner of Suncoast Audio LLC in Sarasota Florida. Suncoast Audio has a full brick and mortar presence in Sarasota with several great show rooms with many world class brands. More information can be found at http://www.suncoastaudio.com

Audioshark is a community of like minded individuals. Audioshark welcomes participation from all manufacturers and owners of all brands and products. It is our belief that online forums provide a community of like minded audiophiles and music lovers to encourage the growth of this wonderful hobby.

Sincerely,
The Audioshark.org Team

Seating choices and reflections

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •