December 03, 2021
Your favorite performer or band is finally coming to town, so you jump online to look for tickets. There’s only one problem — you aren’t sure where to sit so you can hear everything the way it’s supposed to sound.
Managers of music arenas, halls and theatres often tout their facilities as having no bad seats. In reality, some seats are better than others when it comes to being able to clearly hear the music, singing and talking. Knowing the best place to sit at a concert can heighten your experience quite a bit.
Front and Center Is Better for Sight Than Sound
Snagging a seat just feet from the stage will give you a great view, but the sound won’t be ideal. Typically, speakers are located on the side of the stage and are pointed toward the center of the venue. If you’re up front, the best sound will be directed behind you. You’ll hear music, but it will have a distorted quality.
Sounds Bounce in the Back of the Room
Those discount back-of-arena tickets may sound great to your wallet. Unfortunately, far-back seats aren’t the best place to stand at a concert.
When you’re too far from the stage, the sounds that come to you have tons of time to bounce around. They bounce off walls, ceilings and even people. Often, people with discount back-row tickets complain that all they hear is noise. For crisper sounds, you’ll need to dig deeper into your budget and opt for seats that are a little pricier.
Sound Quality Is Low By the Speakers
A lot of younger people think it’s exciting to stand next to giant speakers at concerts. Feeling the sound waves can seem thrilling. Yet the closer you are to a single speaker, the less balance you experience from the sound itself.
It also goes without saying that when you’re nearly hugging a speaker, you’re putting your hearing at risk. Resist the temptation to get a seat too close to any speaker.
The Almost-Middle Is the Sweet Spot
As you’re exploring the seats available at your music venue of choice, try to figure out where the middle is. Then, pick seats to the left or right of that area.
Speakers are generally set up to hit the middle of most venues, especially indoor facilities such as concert halls. If you’re going to an outdoor concert at an open-ceiling arena or long, runway-style venue, use your best judgment. When you get into the center-left or -right, the sound can travel to you without hitting many obstacles along the way.
Replicate the Big Concert Excitement at Home
You can’t get to every show. But you can always have the best concert seating at home if you use the right sound and audio equipment. As you’re creating your personal entertainment space, be sure to consider howsoundproofing and noise reduction materialscan help you get the best sound quality from the comfort of your house.
FAQs
Typically, speakers are located on the side of the stage and are pointed toward the center of the venue. If you're up front, the best sound will be directed behind you.
Where should you sit at a concert if you want to hear the loudest sounds? ›
The front row is typically the loudest seat at a rock concert. This is because the sound waves from the speakers travel directly to the front row, making it the loudest seat in the house. The second row is also quite loud, but not as loud as the front row.
How do you get the best seat at a concert? ›
Instant Answer. Visit the venue's website to view a seating chart before you buy your tickets. For the best view, choose seats that are toward the middle of the venue, near the stage, and which aren't behind obstructions like pillars or the sound booth. Buy your tickets early for better chances at getting a good seat.
Where is the best sound in a concert hall? ›
For most people, the differences in sound around the hall are not noticeable unless you are in the far extremes like the front or last rows. Again, if sound quality is your primary concern, then you'll probably want to head for the middle of the hall.
Are front row seats good at concerts? ›
However, when you are in the front row, the sound is crisp and clear. You will be able to hear every note and lyric as if you were in the studio with the artist. Even if you are not an audiophile, there is no denying that the sound quality in the front row is superior to anywhere else in the venue.
Which seat is best for sound in a concert? ›
The Almost-Middle Is the Sweet Spot
As you're exploring the seats available at your music venue of choice, try to figure out where the middle is. Then, pick seats to the left or right of that area. Speakers are generally set up to hit the middle of most venues, especially indoor facilities such as concert halls.
Is it better to sit on the left or right of the stage? ›
Seat-side preference was found to be modified by the map's arrangement: With screen, stage, or entrance on top, participants preferred seats to the right of the screen, stage, or entrance, while for the other positions the results were not conclusive.
Is it better to stand or sit at a concert? ›
Standing at a concert often places you closer to the stage and allows for a better view of the performers. You are also more likely to be in the middle of the action and able to see the performers' expressions and movements up close.
Should you sit down at a concert? ›
You'll have a better view of the stage and you'll be able to see the band more clearly. You'll also be able to take pictures and videos more easily from a seated position. However, you may miss out on some of the energy and excitement that comes from being on your feet and dancing along with the music.
What does best seats mean on Ticketmaster? ›
The “Best Seat” filter is just as it states, as it shows the best available seats for that event (on a “Seat Rating” scale of 1 to 5 stars, with 1 being the worst and 5 being the best). This filter is ideal for anyone looking to secure the best seats in the house!
Whether you have your speakers on stands, on a shelf or wall-mounted, remember that speakers are generally designed so that they sound best when they are level with your ears when you are listening to them.
Which concert halls have the worst acoustics? ›
Royal Albert Hall
London's Royal Albert Hall has been notoriously known for its bad acoustics since it opened in 1871. The huge domed ceiling creates an echo so that audiences feel like they hear the music twice. Throughout its history, many adjustments have been made to try and remove that echo.
Where is the best place for audio speakers? ›
Room Speaker Placement
Try and create as much symmetry as possible between you and your speakers. The optimal placement is to center your speakers along the longest wall in the room (so that each speaker is equal distance to the walls on each side of the room).
How do you stand out at a concert? ›
How To Stand Out In A Crowd
- Take a stand. There's no better way to feel confident and in control than by standing or sitting up straight. ...
- Exude confidence. ...
- Get passionate. ...
- Dress the part. ...
- Be original. ...
- Master the balancing act.
Rail – A physical barrier, often made of metal, placed between the stage and the pit or general admission area. Also sometimes called a “Crash Barricade” or “barricade.” To “be on the rail” means to be front row at a concert.
Are balcony seats better for concerts? ›
It depends on whether or not the theatre has air conditioning. The general advantage of a higher seat is that it gives you a better view of the stage. The drawback is you can get very hot up there! If the theatre has air conditioning, then it will probably be all right.
Who puts on the loudest concert? ›
In 2008, Sleazy Joe performed what was irrefutably the loudest concert ever recorded in Hassleholm. The sound pressure levels measured an ear-boggling peak of 143.2 decibels!
How do you prepare for a loud concert? ›
Hearing protection at loud concerts
- Wearing ear plugs is the best way to protect your ears. If you attend concerts regularly, you may want to invest in custom ear plugs. ...
- Stay a safer distance from the speakers; at least 25 ft.
- Take breaks from the area where the music is the loudest.
On the morning of 27 August 1883, on the Indonesian island of Krakatoa, a volcanic eruption produced what scientists believe to be the loudest sound produced on the surface of the planet, estimated at 310 decibels (dB).
