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Vandersteen fans..need your input (TREO CT)

Hey Guys, I love my TREO CTs, but I feel like they don’t really start to shine until I crank up the volume to 85dBs or higher. I feel like the details are missing at lower volumes. I know I have a lot of acoustic issues in my space, but generally speaking, at what volumes do you guys listen to your system. Just to give you an idea of my system, I’m using an Ayre AX-5/20 integrated, Aurender N100H streamer, Denafrips Terminator DAC (also an Ayre Codex DAC), AQ Earth XLR cables and AQ GO4 double run bi-wire speaker cables. Any of you guys do low volume listening...like the when your family is a sleep. Any general tips to improve the low volume listening experience? I suspect I would benefit the most getting room treatments but it’s not an option for me at the moment sharing the living room.  Thanks in advance.
Also, check out this link on youtube, it’s rare to see TREO CTs in videos on the web.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zKxBalxq1c
nycjlee
dweller's avatar
dweller
3,779 posts
 
"I've learned that hearing is a complex sense." 
I've recently learned (YouTube?) that there are something like a hundred nerves coming from your brain to your ears and one going from your ears to your brain (!). This means that your hearing is not a passive function but is "shaped" by your current situation/needs. When you are auditioning speakers, your mind tries to "predict" how you will respond to the speakers in your home situation. Also, your mind tries to compare the new speakers to your current ones. Lots of stuff going on simultaneously. 
stringreen's avatar
stringreen
6,457 posts
 
John Rutan from Audio Connection is right.   I don't have little rugs to put in front of my Vandersteen 5A's, but used heavy coats from my time in New Jersey (now live in Scottsdale, Arizona).  The difference with/without coats is remarkable.....much cleaner sound.  I might buy rugs, or just keep the coats there as an homage to New Jersey...but there will be something there.
nycjlee OP
286 posts
 
@stringreen, Nice! Don’t you miss Jersey?  I throw down some large beach towels and as expected they do make a difference.  Wifey is ok with the temporary rugs, will head over to Ikea and pick up a few area rugs.  I’m thinking shag. :)
audiotroy's avatar
audiotroy
3,764 posts
 
Low level sound reproduction is dependent on several things:

1: The total resoloution of the system.  You may need to upgrade your cales or add a power conditioner which can make a huge improvement.

2: The amount of low bass as the ear is less sensitive to low bass frequencies at lower volumes.

3: Room positioning to create a room lock in terms of low bass and midrange definition.

If a rug or coats is making a difference that means you have slap echo which must be addressed to make the room sound good. 

We use throw pillows behind the speakers to absorb slap echo.

It will really depend on what you are trying to accheive you may need to add a subwoofer to balance out the low bass here I would look at a subwoofer with room equilization that is either automatic or controllable. 

Also add a set of Isoacoustics footers which will make a huge difference in both the definition of the system and the soundstage. 

Hope this helps.

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ


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