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Help, my system sounds lifeless!

Hi, this is my first post.  I rushed putting my system together when i emigrated from the UK to New Jersey.  In fact this site was partly to blame as i was attracted to the amazing  "used" deals!  I bought a pair of Dali Helicon 400 (mark I)  as they passed the WAF.  The rest of the system contains a Belles Soloist Integrated and Simaudio Equinox SE CD player, wireworld platinum eclispe 6 interconnect & Audio Art Cable Classic SC-5 Speaker Cable.  My room maybe partly to blame but generally the system sounds lifeless, with little soundstage (better when i play vinyl).  I am not feeling/falling in love with the speakers and do not like the bass response (which is often reported).  I would like to change the speakers and was wondering if you could help.  I have an extremely large cd collection (and have recently bought a used Lumin D1, but unfortunately not set up yet) covering all kinds of music.  I am thinking 8ohm with better sensitivity would be a better option.  Looking to spend around $3000-4000 used.  Some contenders include Revel F206 or F208, Tannoy DC8 or DC8T, ATC SCM40, JA Pulsars (maybe too much $), PBN Liberty, Aerial 10T (never see them used) but they must have grills as sometimes kids go in the basement.  Maybe Monitors with stands would be better option?  I am hoping the flickr link works so you can see my room (excuse the feet!).  I want to fall in love with my large music collection again!  Looking for good bass & soundstage and speakers that can play all kinds of music (sometimes I'm partial to deep electronic music).  In some ways because my taste is so vast i am not particularly looking for ultra revealing speakers (Nora Jones speakers i think you call them!).  Looking forward to the NY audio show so i can hear some systems.  Thanks for all the help, cheers Paul  https://www.flickr.com/gp/97665913@N06/a5G6d9
spoutmouzert
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
your wife would LOVE some tapestries and wall hangings int heroom 

see my post above (way above) - if done well, they may be able to make the speakers act like they are in a larger room

AND, when she sees the blankets behind the speakers, just say "oh those are just to test for where to put those nice tapestries you were talking about earlier")
melbguy1
1,438 posts
 
In the $3-$4k price range, there are some Reference 3A Grand Veena's FS on USA Audio Mart atm asking $3900CAD which would punch well above their price point - http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649301570-reference-3a-grand-veena-speakers/
jeffstarr
23 posts
 
I still want actual dimensions and pics from all angles.
We don't know the rooms true dimensions, based on two photos.

I can understand WAF in living room, but in the room you are in, in the basement, you need to take control. After my girlfriend moved in, she started hinting at changes. I was ok until she suggested moving the stereo to the long wall. When asked why not, I made it cleat it was about sound quality, and that she could make changes in any room of the house but that one.
To the OP, if kids could do damage to the system, put a lock on the door, and then start training them when you are around.
2channel8
758 posts
 
Bump on the Vandersteen Treos. I heard a pair of Treo CTs with a Belles Aria at Audio Connection in Verona NJ. Very, very, nice in a space more compromised than yours. They are good people, too.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
if kids could do damage to the system, then electrify it with a high voltage
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