Matt, I totally agree. The big problem I personally see with most folks room treatments is that they go too far. Often when they get advice from the treatment company themselves, their rooms become very deadened and unrealistic in the reverse. I've found over the years that I have become better and better in treating my own room. I just walk around and listen for harsh spots and where the reflections come from and up go beautiful quilts or something to absorb or reflect. Big plants in the corners of the room and a diffusion panel (albums racks work GREAT for this purpose) on the opposing walls and of course a rug or carpet in front of most speakers is usually needed. I rarely find the need to do much more in my rooms (four different houses). I'm lucky in that none of my rooms so far have had the 50hz resonating problem that even most stores have in their 'professionally' done rooms have.
You are dead on in venues too. I get to go see Joe Bonamassa next Monday at the Bushnell in Hartford, CT. I'm so glad it's the larger venue there (they have a smaller intimate one also). Both their rooms are outstanding in sound quality. I got to see Joe last year at Carnegy Hall and the room was all of that I thought. It was acoustic and the size of the room was perfect. This time around he has a full band so I'm excited as it's the larger room (maybe 8k seats?) and it's sold out so it will sound it's best and the room will allow everything to breath and bloom. I chose to sit in the rear orchestral seats as they are center stage and I love how the sound is back there when there's a full band accompanying him.
Yes it's all about the venue and it's cool when you have recordings where you know the venue and or the producer so you know how it was recorded. All I know is that I'm at the point in my audio journey where I'm listening for hours and hours a day, every day. I love where my room is and even though I want to sell my Treo's and get the Quatro's still, I love what I"m hearing and it's fun again.
That's really cool about your son loving his music and being gifted. I can appreciate that as you may remember. Nothing beats appreciating your offspring doing something they love and doing it at a high level of competency. Call if you get a free moment.
I did the NYC trip and was greatly let down by Innovative Audio as I looked on their site and it said open on Sundays. I even sent an email to them asking to discuss what I wanted to audition before coming down to the city. I did that days before my trip on Sunday and they never even got back to me. They have Avalon's and I love them and wanted to hear what they had that would go up against the Quatro's, but when I got there they were closed. They aren't open on Sundays and I booked the whole day around that trip. Pissed wasn't even the word. Hate being negative, but folks need to keep their websites up to date if they want my business I guess. If I hadn't sent an email to them ahead of time (as per their request on their site), then I wouldn't have been as upset.
As much as I love Johnny at Audio Connections, I can purchase anywhere. As much as I love the Vandersteen speakers, that doesn't mean they are the only speakers in the world and how could I even tell folks to audition them vs something else if I don't know what something else sounds like. Heck, I have now had two great experiences at Stereo Exchange believe it or not for headphone gear. I'd recommend them in a heart beat to folks wanting to audition top quality cans. Didn't meant to make this a negative post, but I guess I'm still feeling burned a bit by Innovative not being open or getting back to me. Oh well, their loss and someone else's gain eventually as I also need a NAS/server too.
Back to room and reflections and absorptions, lol.....(and let's throw in a bit of slap echo for fun ;) ).
