Leaving the first side wall reflective reveals off-axis loudspeaker behavior in tests

Evidence

Starting with my earliest listening tests in the late 1960s, through a prolific research period in the 1980s (see Figure 5.2), up to the present (see Chapter 12), it has been a monotonous truth that in double-blind listening tests, the highest rated loudspeakers had the flattest, smoothest on-axis and listening-window frequency responses. Listeners liked neutral, uncolored, direct sound. Beyond that, loudspeakers that exhibited similarly good behavior off-axis achieved even higher scores—reflected sounds would then have similar timbral signatures. These findings have remained valid in many different rooms over the years. — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1292 (#contradicts, via linked claim)

Categorization

• XREF: connects to: Room acoustics contaminate loudspeaker listening tests needing controlled environments; Off-axis wall reflections arrive substantially attenuated relative to the direct sound.; Early reflection control often concealed flawed off-axis loudspeaker performance. (+5 more)

Broader Connections

• Early reflection control often concealed flawed off-axis loudspeaker performance. #corroborates (0.92)
• Room boundaries alter loudspeaker output through reflected image sources #expands (0.88)
• Early side-wall reflections range neutral to beneficial with well-designed loudspeakers #expands (0.85) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 845
• Anechoic on-axis and sound power responses suffice to predict perceived loudspeaker quality #contradicts (0.85) — , Toole, Floyd E - Sound reproduction-…, 1292
• Perceived loudspeaker sound quality depends only on amplitude responses #contradicts (0.82) — Toole, Floyd E, Sound reproduction- the acoustics and…, 711
• Near-wall listening positions create early strong rear reflections #expands (0.75)