How do you create your ideal listening environment?

Nowadays, most homes have smooth, hard floors and neatly plastered walls.  This is really not conducive to an optimal listening experience. In such cases, a lot of the sound in the room tends to bounce off of the hard surfaces. This causes reverberation or echo. The result is a distorted sound.

If you would you like to counteract this effect, introduce materials that absorb sound reverberation. Materials like curtains, floor coverings and upholstered furniture. A wooden floor can also provide a natural form of absorption. This produces a nicer-sounding result than a tiled floor. 

You may also wish to consider acoustic panels, such as those often seen in recording studios. Although these are, of course, visible and you might not like them. One option is to cover the panels with printed material, creating the impression of a painting. Nowadays, panels with lovely designs are also available to suit your living room. 

You might also think about placing the speakers so they are directed at ear level. This also helps to create the optimal sound. Dedicated Vogel's floor stands and wall brackets are available.