I've sat practically everywhere at the Met. The NY Times article is right. Front row center balcony is what I'd say has the best sound too. During a tour of the Met, the guide (30+ year Met veteran) mentioned this was her pick too - and this was before the NYT article came out. Best balance between orchestra and singers. Phenomenal detail overall. Second best for acoustics is Family Circle - even in the last row.

Orchestra overhang is pretty bad. When looking at orchestra tickets, there's a seemingly random price drop in the back between some rows and seats right next to each other. That's where the overhang begins.

Dress Circle and Grand Tier overhangs are also really bad though. First two rows are great. Third row is okay. Anything farther back and I'd rather sit in Family Circle.

Moving down from Balcony to Dress Circle the orchestra/singer balance tilts towards the singers. Even more so in Grand Tier. Front row of Grand Tier is probably the best place to hear singers. They're singing straight at you and this is where one really realizes how powerful these singers are. Even if you've been to the Met many times, when you first sit here, it's like "Wow..."

Orchestra - even not under the overhang - does not have the best orchestra acoustics as the sound from the pit shoots up. The top end is kind of rolled off. It's like taking a stereo and turning down the treble a little bit. Exception is the front two rows of the orchestra where this effect doesn't happen as the sound from the orchestra hits one directly. My favorite spot.

Side boxes, particularly closer to the stage, are great to hear orchestra detail as the sound shoots straight at you. It's not a balanced orchestra sound but it's very clear. If you love cellos, sit front box right at the Grand Tier or Dress Circle level and their soundholes are aimed right at you.

Only place I've yet to sit is the Parterre Center Boxes.