Please Educate Me

From my original post:


”Conceptually, logically, I don’t know why it isn’t.”


Doesn’t that invite a response, doesn’t that ask somebody to inform me why it does? Like desktopguy so nicely did. Complaining that, “He never asked a question” seems to be a level of pedantry way above 20 kHz, out in the range where only hummingbirds and . . . other things dwell. 

That bit of self-restraint is actually causing me physical pain. I need a drink. 

Glupson, you got me. A triumph of form over content. As punishment I hereby ban myself from this forum. At least until another inane question pops into my head. 

And to think, all this audio interest/excitement/curiosity was caused by the arrival of my new (used) LS50s. We’re only a week into this relationship but I can tell it will be one of the deepest and most meaningful of my life.


Now HERE’S a question, although it probably belongs in another forum: My tiny NYC apartment forces the speakers into an awful position. (The apartment is small but at least it’s expensive.) I can move them in and out about four inches and about the same horizontally, and I’ve been carefully positioning them inch by inch all week. The problem is that on one side, at the point of first reflection and a lot of other points as well, are two big works of art covered by glass. I’m not willing (at this point, anyway) to trade decorating for sound. And I can’t imagine that there’s any other way to diffract or absorb the sound, short of hanging curtains in front of them, which sorta defeats the principle. Suggestions, anyone?


I expected transparency and accuracy from these speakers. I didn’t expect the warm, rich sound. Maybe it’s the small room, maybe it’s my unfamiliarity with audiophile speakers, but they’re so friendly and inviting. This truly is love. 

Also, I did a little calculating. (I might have a problem here.) My quarter wavelength cancellation frequency is 214 hz. Halfway is 107 hz. Is that good? Bad? I can’t do much about it but should I worry?

Room correction or different speakers with narrow directivity but I wouldn't worry about it. 

Good old Millercarbon and it is amusing that he chimes in first here to educate. Self annointed self appointed curator of the only accurate opinions and audio knowledge. Just ask him and he will tell you so in detail.
  I am coming to the conclusion he is a retired bored guy who just likes to stir crap up and spend his days pontificating and harassing. Goes well with all the absurd audio topics and claims made here though so there is that.

Paul6001, You said in part " Not so when it comes to hi-fi. I’m extremely skeptical about much that goes on in high end audio but I’ve obviously heard the difference among digital sources. Just because something is on CD or 92/156 FLAC doesn’t mean that it’s going to sound the same on different players or streamers. "
Above and beyond digital source variances you also have room variances which effect what you hear. Then add variances between drivers and time aligning and balancing gain and then add drivers have problems with certain frequencies to be EQued. Then add your own hearing. My left ear hears better than my right. Then add crossover limitations which many suffer from because they want plug and play.

When I started to build my current system I knew all these things had to be addressed as they were all part of the aggregate. The only answer I know to adjust all these variables is to get a UMike and Room Equalizer Wizard ( free audio output analyzing software) and use something like a Xilica XP4080 to control all the potential variables. You have to learn to measure what you are doing and then be able to control what you output if your goal is the best possible sound with your existing, or indeed any setup.

My system is very simple. Feed my source files from a PC to the Xilica and then Bi-amped output to my two way all horn rig and there is no need for all these bits and pieces so many assemble to try and fix their problems. Do it right the first time and keep it simple. Doing things this way also means you change rooms and you can adjust for the new room. Change speakers or amps same thing. You like warm tube amp sound or any other preference you can adjust to do this. It is not fun to learn but once you do you are good to go for any variable you might introduce in equipment or environment.

By the way consider this. I can set the UMike up in my listening spot positioned next to my head and connect it to my PC. Keyboard and monitor right in front of me and I can sit there and adjust on the fly in real time and save those settings for future use. Up to 30 presets so you can even dial in your preferences for specific genres of music and sit down for an evening of Cello or Rock or Blues/Jazz or whatever. Selecting a preset takes all of 20 seconds. Any other way leaves a lot to be desired in my experience. My goal is to be right there sitting with the musicians or next to the 30’ pipes and this is the only way I have found to do so.