Taming room acoustics - part 2

Thought I'd give you an update on some more recent findings.



A couple of changes have improved things even more, almost making it sound like WMs system (can't be bad):

1. A new and improved interconnect from Zanash. This time using bullet plugs for connecting to my VRDS-7 and neutric din plug to connect to my Nait 5/hicap.
Overall a big improvement. Far more detail and bass, all in all a definite move in the right direction

2. Today I tried some more room damping. This time by hanging a duvet cover behind my seating position (using some dining chairs). Wow, for a free mod, works wonders at controlling unwanted high end frequency stuff. Seems to give the system more bass too. I'm not sure whether that's because I'm playing the system louder, or that the duvet is reflecting some bass, whilst simply smothering the excess treble.

So, huge smiles from London.

 

Ah the nasty rear wall reflection [rear wall to the listener]. My room suffers the same problem, I've tried to break up the flat surface with various half size bookcases and full hieght CD racks [ ikea billy], but I still need to bring the chair out a few inches for the affects to disappear.

Glad you like the plugs, I found them a revelation just think what they can do to a good cable [sic].

Seriously though good to hear that the improvement was worth while. I'm still not convinced as to the life span of them, in the sense of robustness, but they sound fantastic ........

 

I have been working hard to sort my room out as well. As it goes a good change round of the furniture has reeped the best results simply because I am not twice the distance from the speakers (I was arond 5 feet in front of them before)

However the speakers are at the other end of the room now and they are a little bit lively.

To sort this I have done the following:



Behind the speakers are three panels, a large grey one behind the speakers then a grey and a white one above. These are made from inch by half inch batton, covered in material. Behind them hangs underlay, off of the top batton. You can't see the underlay because of the material and it basically adds up to carpeting the wall.

I think it looks resonably funky and fits in with our living room (although we have ditched the ikea rug as its hideous)

Sound wise there is clearly an improvement. However not in the way I expected. Bass actually seems deeper although more in control, and the treble has been tamed which is a good thing for the CDP.

It all adds up to one thing for me. Room acostics must introduce the biggest variable as to weather your system will sound good or not, regardless of the badge on the front.

I am well pleased though, makes the room look bigger as well.

 

shh!

Dont tell Merlin, he'll say I told you so

 

I would rather fix the room than put a glorified EQ in their

 

Seriously though, I was round at merlins this week for a listen to his system. It is pretty bloody good now. I could very easily live with it (but with a bit more treble than Merlin likes)

The vinyl guys will hate me, but I prefered the CD player over the vinyl when we did a back to back comparison. Seemed to me to have more life and drive than the TT.

 

Gary,

How's the CDP coming on, did you take the CDI any further? Your LP12 was stunning when I heard it, but I seem to remember hating the CDI completely. Have the room changes helped?

 

Mike, I think its fair to say now you arn't sitting on the speakers the CDP sounds really good. I totally agreed with you on the sound previously and was probably a reason why I hadn't bought a CD in a year.

I bought one this weekend !

 

Garyi,

The only thing that stands out from thepic that I can suggest is bringing the speakers forward so that they are level or slghtly in front of the TV.
This will help imaging and Prat, but on the whole without hearing it it looks pretty good. Maybe a few hard reflective surface to the left but that would be difficult to cure. Hope it sounds as good as it looks.

 

Zanash, the SBL in general are best against a wall as they are in this configuration, if I pull them out I start getting sound stage, urgh.

 

Garyi, doesn't the right speaker affect at all your kits performance? Your kits are directly in the line of fire of your right speaker


regards

 

Mike, I can't access your pictures, says it couldn't be found?

 

Osama, my only concern with this was adverse effects on the record deck. But in context the kit is around 6 feet from the speakers, and although I have moved air in this room, not at that sort of distance.

I don't go in for sweet spots really, infact I am usually geeking here at the computer which puts my back to the kitchen (where you see the glass blocks in the picture) and so it is not relevent. although sitting between the speakers gives me an accurate stereo sound any way so not its not a problem.

 

Garyi

Like the carpet (!!) nearly bought one the same, but decided on something even more funky ... unfortuantley, our two cats love scratching the big bold circles on it!! Also like the panels idea which I might impliment when we move house in January.

I had a big problem with my system when, under the orders of the missus, I moved it from our fairly minimalist bedroom down into the lounge (she likes to read at night and I like to listen to music, so you can unserstand the problem!)

Basically, bass went to pot and lost some some nice treble sparkle and bite. Room is quite heavily furnished with soft stuff and half size of bedroom. Also, has an unusual angle and speakers have to be close to corners. Just sounded plummy where previously nice and tight. Tried all sorts of speaker moves within confines of room but no real difference.

So, just bought some small Tannoy MX2's and put them on decent tall stands. Not as enjoyable as the Rega Elya's where upstairs but at least listenable now ... basically bass has gone to all intents and purposes. But I can hear again some of the detail I enjoy, so an OK compromise ... better for keeping neighbours happy too I guess.

I knew room was important, but not important enough to make me get rid of speakers I really enjoyed previously :-( I wonder if 'partner effect' is even more important LOL!!!!

Dave