Can room acoustics amplify the sound of speakers?

This is a very interesting topic as I notice the same problem with my Vandersteen 1Cs. At low to moderate levels they perform exceptionally well, but if I turn the volume up to far they lose the magic. Now with my Soliloquy 5.0s this does not happen. I can play them much louder with no noticeable change in tonal character. In fact, with the Soliloquys I seem to listen at much louder levels simply because they keep the magic.
I'm reading Duke's contribution with interest as I always thought it was simply an overloaded room. But if two different speakers act so differently in the same room, in basically the same position, there must be something else going on.
My room is approximately 11X13 with treatment in place. I'm working on dialing in the best placement for the 1Cs and fairly small changes have made significant differences, especially toe-in.

The tube one is up for sale. At least in this system the SS DAC was better; YMMV.

Timhru,

The Vandersteen's tweeter crosses over a little lower than the Soliloquy's, and does so with a more gentle slope. The Vantersteen's tweeter is a bit smaller in diameter than the Soliloquy's (1.0" vs 1.125"), and the Vandersteen's midwoofer is considerably larger in diameter (8" vs 5.25").

These factors contribute to the Vandersteen's tweeter putting out more energy to the sides than the Soliloquy's tweeter, while at the same time the Vandersteen's midwoofer is putting out less energy to the sides. So in theory at least the coloration-inducing effect of early onset reflections is likely to be worse with the Vandersteens.

If my hypothesis applies in your situation, increased toe-in should reduce the "room overload" effect by decreasing the amount of energy in that first reflection off the near side wall.

Duke

I want to thank everyone who has contributed to this thread; I have learned a great deal about the electronics of op-amps. My walls are "not barking" at me yet as Davehrab noted about his back wall, but the shouting has not stopped. Two questions emerge from the responses to this thread. First, Why don't high-end audio stores encourage an acoustic evaluation of a buyer's room; surely, they could provide their own acoustic treatment service, or just sell the product on a DIY basis and create additional revenue, for themselves, especially in these tough economic times, Second, it would be interesting to find out how many manufacturer's rely on a "one chip" output configuration Davehrab suggested of the Rega Apollo. If that is the only cause,and not a combo of CD output design and not resolving the negatives of room acoustics. How many of us, just guess at acoustics, or assume that the overstuffed furniture in the living room will cure all the negatives. I can only remember once over 38 years of audio clearly hearing the difference created by two floor to ceiling bookcases behind both speakers that "dramatically" changed the sound.

I would like to contact Rega, and see how they respond to explaining this "problem" of an apparent uncontrolled increase in volume, resulting in a loss of clarity on dynamic passages. I am not sure I understand how Davehrab would solve the electronic problem of overloaded or overworked op-amps. How much could it possibly cost a manufacturer to eliminate this problem. I am sure buyers would pay a reasonable increase in retail to attain good sound. Jim

Sunnyjim:

Your thought of audio chains (at least upscale ones) providing room treatment advice with the purchase of equipment and not offering it is a good one. Just one look at the 'Geek Squad' for computers and HT installations merits a good look at the concept. Most stores don't have the resources of a Best Buy but they could at least aid in setting it up and advising. When I got my speakers, the guy who owned the place where they were auditioned came over to deliver them and later on suggested at least one sound panel for the side of my room that was filled with windows. And this guy operates out of his house and doesn't even make or own the speakers. He's just a great guy to do business with.

On the matter of the Rega being the source of your woes, if it is determined to be the opamp in the unit, it can be swapped out for a better made one or even a Burson discreet opamp. Burson has testimonials and tutorials over at their website. Hope this helps.