Poor sound at R40 Detroit?

[bfields]

I had seats in the very last row at the Palace of Auburn Hills for the Rush concert last weekend, and the sound was terrible. Except possibly for some brief solos, I couldn't make out the bass parts at all, the low end was all just a generic rumble. And in general everything sounded muddy.

I've never been to a show at such a large venue before. Is that just a typical stadium rock show problem, or was it this particular venue or show, or do I need to spring for closer seats next time? If the latter, any rule of thumb on the distance at which the sound quality starts to noticeably decline?

(The show was still fun in other ways, and my wife (who wasn't quite as hung up on the sound quality) had a great time. But she did notice--it really wasn't a subtle problem.)

 

[David Jayne]

Yes it's a typical problem, which is why I won't go anymore.

 

[s0c9]

Had similar issues with my Kenny Chesney/Jason Aldean tour at ATT Stadium (seats 90,000) in Arlington TX a few weeks ago.
I will NEVER pay to go see another concert there.. horrible, horrible, awful sound - given what was paid for tickets - horrendous!

 

[bfields]

From comments elsewhere it's clear some people at least could hear bass at shows on the same tour, so I'd be curious what the difference was. (Seats, venue, ?) Also sort of curious what exactly was going on technically.

 

[FuturePrimitive]

When I saw them in Buffalo a few years ago it was the same, nothing but rumble. Very disappointing. (the sound, not Rush)

 

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

From comments elsewhere it's clear some people at least could hear bass at shows on the same tour, so I'd be curious what the difference was. (Seats, venue, ?) Also sort of curious what exactly was going on technically.

I had lower tier seats on Alex's side at the Columbus show (Nationwide Arena) and the sound was almost headphone quality much of the time (especially compared to other arena shows I've seen) Geddy cut through like a knife (especially with the Ric on Red Barchetta and the P on Roll the Bones). It was a bit muddy the first two songs, but they cleared it up by the start of Headlong.

 

[bfields]

I had lower tier seats on Alex's side at the Columbus show (Nationwide Arena) and the sound was almost headphone quality much of the time.

So, different venue, but also closer than we were. I wonder which is the more important factor.

 

[MOTORHEADBANGER]

So, different venue, but also closer than we were. I wonder which is the more important factor.

I would say a little of both, though venue is probably the bigger factor (sound system, acoustics, etc)

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Venue and distance combine into a horrible jumbled mess when you are near the back wall or adjacent to a wall. the reflections make all the "long waveforms" into a jumbled mess.
What are reverb, reflection and standing waves? & Standing Waves
Bobby Owsinski's Big Picture Music Production Blog: 5 Reasons Why Concerts Sound So Bad
Bad live sound: Venue or band? - concert resolved | Ask MetaFilter