Characteristics of speakers that do well near-field

[andrew]

What are the criteria that make for a good near-field speaker? It seems clear that on-axis response is critical in the near-field. What, though, about horizontal and vertical dispersion? I'd first thought that narrow dispersion would be fine on the basis that one is seated at the right height but am wondering if wide dispersion is critical to give the stereo image height and width. What is the wisdom of the crowd on this topic?

 

[dominikz]

I'd say the main characteristics for good nearfield performance are:
1) Response optimized for flat on-axis
2) Small sized box with drivers as close as possible to one another (since that reduces the minimum distance needed for full driver integration and response stabilization). This should of course be balanced by required max SPL requirement, because small speakers are more SPL-limited.
3) Uniform directivity, so we get a bigger usable "sweet spot"

Directivity width is a more difficult topic. In nearfield, wider directivity will mainly mean a larger sweet spot (which is good), but it could also make phantom images wider and less precise due to a higher proportion of reflected sound from side walls. Whether or not that is desireable might be a preference thing.
In environments where first reflections are absorbed (e.g. many home studios) impact of directivity on phantom image size/precision might not be significant.

 

[andrew]

I'd say the main characteristics for good nearfield performance are:
1) Response optimized for flat on-axis
2) Small sized box with drivers as close as possible to one another (since that reduces the minimum distance needed for full driver integration and response stabilization). This should of course be balanced by required max SPL requirement, because small speakers are more SPL-limited.
3) Uniform directivity, so we get a bigger usable "sweet spot"

Thanks

Directivity width is a more difficult topic. In nearfield, wider directivity will mainly mean a larger sweet spot (which is good), but it could also make phantom images wider and less precise due to a higher proportion of reflected sound from side walls. Whether or not that is desireable might be a preference thing.
In environments where first reflections are absorbed (e.g. many home studios) impact of directivity on phantom image size/precision might not be significant.

The right question might be. How does one set-up nearfield speakers to get the best out of wide directivity? My situation is that the desk / speakers will up against a treated front wall and the listening position some 15' from an untreated back wall. I'm hoping that this means reflections from the back half of the room are well delayed creating a sense of enveloipment. The issue is likely the desk and sidewalls where short delay reflections might need to be addressed, and presumably wide dispersion speakers make this more complex.