From concerts to NHL games, Madison Square Garden (originally built in 1874) is a favorite of athletes, spectators, and performers. 

Is it the NYC location? The home game advantage? The massive crowd it can hold? There’s nothing like feeling the vibrations of the notes to your favorite song in your chest or the relief of the game-winning buzzer sounding, but is that the real reason it’s so special? The simple answer: no. Why? MSG is home to a unique architectural design known as the concave ceiling.

Designed by Charles Luckman, it is the only arena ceiling of its kind. The design consists of “perforated metal and sound absorbent acoustic installation,” which allows for 360 non-obstructed views. The arena has been rebuilt four times, most recently in 2010. The current design is the most capable of captivating sound. 

The audio that runs through MSG is impeccable. The concave ceiling amplifies and improves the quality of sound that any speaker would put out. So, combining it with the 16-bag end quartz quad-18 loudspeaker systems that supply the bass and the 64 18-inch subwoofers providing the foundation for the sound (bagend.com), it’s not a surprise that many notable critics have named MSG for having “the best arena sound system in the world.”

Luckman lived for ninety years (1909-1999) and wasted none of his time. While contributing to the first-ever concave ceiling arena would have been sufficient to secure his place in history books, he also designed the Theme Building, The Forum, and the Prudential Tower. He was a successful entrepreneur and architect. Luckman was also involved in politics as he was elected to the President’s Committee on Civil Rights during the Truman administration. 

Thanks to Luckman, there is truly no bad seat in MSG, except maybe next to your screaming friend.