Near Field Listening

MillerLiteScott
MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
edited October 2009 in 2 Channel Audio
What are some tips and tricks for near field listening?

For Starters I am using a RS amp, Sony HD Tuner and The Best Buy Insignia speakers.
I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
Post edited by MillerLiteScott on
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited September 2009
    Nice.. those are the NS-2112 cocentric speakers. They're kinda big for near field I'd say though! Mine are sitting on the storage shelf right now.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • LessisNevermore
    LessisNevermore Posts: 1,519
    edited September 2009
    MillerLiteScott wrote: »
    What are some tips and tricks for near field listening?

    For Starters I am using a RS amp, Sony HD Tuner and The Best Buy Insignia speakers.

    Get them up at ear level, and arranged in an equilateral triangle to your head.
    Basically, search for studio monitor setups, and you should find lots of useful tips.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited September 2009
    nguyendot wrote: »
    They're kinda big for near field I'd say though!
    Not at all.

    You have the right speakers for the application though, dual concentric work better than traditional TW speakers for nearfield.

    Page 10, orientation: http://83.138.162.162/products/31/Ellipse_iDP_Owners_Manual2.pdf
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited September 2009
    Thanks Mike. I found the info I was looking for in that KEF PDF.:D

    So far I am pretty impressed with what I have been hearing at very low levels.
    Great center imaging and deep sound stage. Stereo presence/separation is also very nice.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited September 2009
    MLS do you got a glass tube in that rat shack amp?
    BTW I have some monsoon planers with the tall black(not grey) satellites that are awesome! Puter speakers with a pretty damn clean 15wpc;)
    Take care.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • WastelandWand'r
    WastelandWand'r Posts: 466
    edited September 2009
    MLS,
    Nice trick, I am sitting here staring at the thumbnail trying to decide what speakers they are. Even after I opened the t-nail, my mind was telling me that it was a wide angle shot not a close up.
    After about 30 seconds, the proportion came into focus and I realized it was a desk not a wood floor.
    Yes I am slow, I admit it.
    Nathan
    Home Rig

    SDA 2.3TL's front and center
    Polk 1000p Center
    Pioneer Elite SC35 Receiver (Pre/Surround
    Sunfire Cinema Grand 5X200-Back in the mix.
    OPPO BDP-93
    Squeezebox
    Stepped up to name brand Speaker Cables and interconnects!
    Monitor 4, 5, 7, 10's, SDA 1B's, 2B's, 2.3TL's, RTA 15TL's all in storage waiting for me.
    Sales Rating #1!!
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  • reeltrouble1
    reeltrouble1 Posts: 9,312
    edited September 2009
    one note of caution as you research writing on the topic, do not confuse near-field, a particular phenomenom that occurs with waves close to the driver, with nearfield which is what you are actually doing.

    RT1
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited September 2009
    Have you done any of the mods to those speakers? (sound dampening, bracing, crossover)
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited September 2009
    Ben. No tube in this amp. Just some cheapo 5 way speaker binding post on the back in place of the really cheapo spring clips.

    nguyendot. No mods yet. Just enjoying them stock right now. I may do something later. They are just a fun cheap speaker along with the amp and moderately cheap tuner. The tuner really pulls in stations where other fail to pull in a station.

    I am enjoying the near field experience.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited September 2009
    I bought mine as a cheap stereo setup for the gf's apartment 2 years ago. Since we live together now I have them extra. I do like their imaging, being cocentric and all. Recently replaced them with VR-M60s though.... what to do with them now? :)
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited October 2009
    I have to say I am really enjoying my near field listening.

    nguyendot, over the weekend I filled in the kerf cuts in the curved side panels with wood putty and put some poly fill inside in addition to the cheap egg crate foam that was stock.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    Nearfield can be great. With the right setup, it can feel like headphones, but with a center image.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited October 2009
    MillerLiteScott wrote: »
    I am enjoying the near field experience.Scott

    I do too, every day, all day at work, it really pisses me off, that my home stereo doesn't do some of the things as good as my computer rig.
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2009
    nguyendot wrote: »
    Have you done any of the mods to those speakers? (sound dampening, bracing, crossover)
    Here are some crossover and driver tweaks for those wanting to squeeze abit more performance out of them.

    http://www.zaphaudio.com/Insignia.html

    http://www.speakerdesign.net/midrange_tweaks/insignia/insignia_woofer.html
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited October 2009
    hoosier21 wrote: »
    I do too, every day, all day at work, it really pisses me off, that my home stereo doesn't do some of the things as good as my computer rig.
    Blame it on your home listening room.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • Systems
    Systems Posts: 14,873
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    ...listening room.
    Arguably the most important component.
    Testing
    Testing
    Testing
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  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,411
    edited October 2009
    Face wrote: »
    Blame it on your home listening room.

    agree 100%
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited October 2009
    Thanks for the links Gilles:D
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • amulford
    amulford Posts: 5,020
    edited October 2009
    hoosier21 wrote: »
    I do too, every day, all day at work, it really pisses me off, that my home stereo doesn't do some of the things as good as my computer rig.

    Sell all that **** and get you some good cans...;)
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  • MrGlobe
    MrGlobe Posts: 401
    edited October 2009
    I looked into getting a pair of these speakers last year about this time. I ended up getting the Polk T15s for $10 more. Even though they use a 5.25" driver vs the 6.5" of the Insignia, they seemed to have a much cleaner sound and tighter bass. Are these just my findings? I almost returned the T15s when I read all the good reviews on the Insignias, However it wasn't even an argument after auditioning them in store.

    That and the fact that the T15s got knocked down to $50 for black friday last year.
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  • steveinaz
    steveinaz Posts: 19,538
    edited October 2009
    Near field listening is for intellectuals. I say 2000 watts of Bostons "hitch a ride" into Klipsch LaScala's in the garage.
    Source: Bluesound Node 2i - Preamp/DAC: Benchmark DAC2 DX - Amp: Parasound Halo A21 - Speakers: MartinLogan Motion 60XTi - Shop Rig: Yamaha A-S501 Integrated - Shop Spkrs: Elac Debut 2.0 B5.2
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  • mhardy6647
    mhardy6647 Posts: 33,804
    edited October 2009
    Still hard to beat the BBC's LS-3/5A specification for nearfield monitors for their "field" operations (in trucks).
    You can buy new production versions:
    http://www.stirlingbroadcast.net/
    http://store.acousticsounds.com/index.cfm?get=detail&title_id=16618

    Cheaper than buying a vintage pair!
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  • George Grand
    George Grand Posts: 12,258
    edited October 2009
    I also have a small Monsoon sub/sat desktop system with the ribbons. It is neat. I should add I never listen to music on it.
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