There are many discussions and different ideas about the dedicated high-end audio listening chair. There are numerous options. Those looking for the luxurious appeal are often attracted by the Vitra iconic Eames Lounge Chair with matching ottoman. Although it is not ideal for every body type (too small for me), many audiophiles are very fond of this first-class lounge seating solution for various reasons.
Some go even further up the luxury ladder with another legendary and timeless creation: the Knoll’s Barcelona chair by Mies van der Rohe. The Barcelona chair can be found in many chic settings and luxurious environments and with its unique design, it is hard to miss. For the audio listening chair, it may not be the last word in comfort, and its height can be a challenge if you want to achieve the right ear height.
Of course, the list does not end here. There are many more examples and even special audiophile listening chairs like the beautiful Lobster Chair from GamuT. There are practically hundreds of options to choose from. It certainly depends on personal taste, but that should not be the only rule.
So what is my opinion on the subject!
I have been living happily for some time now with a larger, luxurious, and ergonomic lounge chair for two people. Great comfort, perfect ear height, etc. However…
After some further research and consideration, I started to look at the importance of the listening chair from a different perspective.
My findings and tinkering with different ideas are related to my listening room, but there are some good examples and general confirmations that point in that direction. Magico’s official listening room is one of these examples with a single, non-intrusive listening chair positioned at the optimal listening position and without any distraction around it.
If the listening room is treated acoustically correctly, there seems to be no need for a massive listening chair.
Our whole body acts as an energy absorber when it comes to the reception of music. Not only the ears but also the skin and bones are important receptors that help the ear mechanism to decipher the complex aural message.
The logical conclusion is obviously simple. The less of the chair possible. If the body has to receive as much data as possible from 360-degree sound space, then the chair should not be in the way at all. It should contribute to a deeper listening experience.
By combining everything, I have limited the choices to a single chair with an at least physically intrusive design. The listening chair should not cover the body in any way and prevent the energy from accumulating somewhere in the structure of the chair. Again, if the listening environment is already optimized.
Our perception of the acoustic space depends to a large extent on the density of the acoustic anchor points and the reflections on the side and rear walls. This rules out any chair with a protruding top and any kind of huge cushions around the head. A nice headrest certainly feels like a comfortable choice, but in the end, it serves as an absorber and blocks the delays and decay to form properly.
I will continue to pursue my final choice, but I have already been more than inspired by the latest findings and experimented with a smaller, less “in your face” sitting choices.
The additional level of holographic experience is not marginal. It’s a considerable step up. The same applies to the clarity and lower register impact.
There is always something that will challenge our understanding of the high-end audio realms. The search seems to be a never-ending affair, but it is one of the most rewarding. Especially since the end result is reflected in a higher level of music reproduction that can embody an emotional interaction of a kind that is simply not possible with other sensual experiences.
While these posh-looking and massive sofas may look like a great idea and can hold a few more listeners, the epicenter seems to be quite a lonely spot on the ultimate level of pursuing the best possible outcome.
Pushing the needle too far!? For many, this kind of research may feel like a total exaggeration. For someone like me, who has to deal with critical assessments on a daily basis, this somehow falls under the mandatory task and labeling.
When such discoveries and experiments provide further insights and raise the bar for high-end audio performance, it’s more than valuable, as it provides viable conclusions and far more accurate experience. But most importantly, if such objective findings allow more enjoyable listening experience and far deeper immersion into the music, then every such an effort matters! ♛
Matej Isak