Placement tips for Synergistic Research HTFs

So there you have it. My take on evaluating the resonators.

Ultimately, I sold my HFTs and reduced my usage of resonators in my main system way down. I tried using eight Big Bottom jkbtn resonators with two other smaller resonators thinking that I might be able to bring a little extra hi-frequency zing to the Big Bottom jkbtn sound. For me there seems to be a thin grey line when it came to the harshness factor and I just could not find another resonator that that didn’t push me over the harshness edge. In the end I cut my usage down to only eight Big Bottom jkbtn resonators. Two are mounted on the back of my front channel speakers – facing the front wall, two are mounted on the inside edges of the front speakers, two on the outside edges of my front speakers, and lastly two mounted on the sides of my rear speakers, which means they are facing the rear wall of my listening room. (I’ll post some pics soon)
This setup produces a somewhat deeper soundstage and helps keep the stage away from me. Vocalists and instruments are generally positioned more toward center stage. There is a little better bass clarity, smoother vocals, a little more kick to percussion, drums and transients, better all-round clarity, and a little more ambiance.

I hope your final choice affords you as much. The experimentation has been worth the trouble. I’m glad I have my favorites in place.


The following parts were used in the construction of the different resonators:

For the smaller Ozinators Here are Ozzy’s own words. - “I used 1/8" copper caps with a large copper cones from a company called Hareline. Hareline makes items for fishing lures and can be bought from Amazon. The caps however, will need to be purchased from a plumbing house. Then just simply glue the cone inside the cap. The cone is a direct drop in. I used Elmer’s school glue to seal the cone inside the cap.”

For my larger Ozzinators - I substituted the larger Hareline Alaska Brass Cones – I buy them at online fishing lure stores, wherever they are in stock. They come in packs of 15 for $4.50 plus shipping. These are 3/8" or 9.5mm cones. I glued these into 1/4” copper caps and later into 1/8” brass caps from Valley Hydraulic

For the rest of the resonators I used these bell-shaped brass cones. All you need to do is to place the bell into a 3/8" copper cap by hammering it gently. Tight and secure! And it makes a very nice resonator cup. Or you can glue it in and have half the cone sticking out from the base.

Here is the ad for the jkbtn brass caps – I mostly use the 14mm models. You get 30 for about $8.00 including shipping
http://www.ebay.com/itm/302130537660?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&var=600948813663&ssPageNam.

My 1/4" Big Bottom brass caps come from Valley Hydraulic.
http://www.valleyhydraulic.comhttp://www.valleyhydraulic.com/store/pc/Brass-1-4-quot-Female-Pipe-Cap...
SKU: 3129X4

A slightly smaller 1/8" Big Bottom brass cap also comes from Valley Hydraulic.
http://www.valleyhydraulic.com/store/pc/Brass-1-8-quot-Female-Pipe-Cap-21p1266.htm
SKU: 3129X2

Toolbox

Damn toolbox, you are one productive human! This thread has become quite the treasure trove of info. Since you seem to rate the version of the resonators I’m using the lowest, I’m going to pick up some heavy brass caps today and make some using those. I’ll still go the press fit route and may try the glue ins later.

@ozzy I haven’t tried them on top of the speakers yet. I’ll do that. As for the bb or crystal, I’m assuming you glue them in?

Crystals. Ha. We’re getting all new agey! What’s next? Dream catchers? Ooh, that’s not a bad idea for diffusion...

Dream catchers? I thought that’s what this is all about. The ability for us to go to our listening area and catch a dream of some musical performance. I was dreamin’ pretty good last night.

I’d be very interested in reading your opinion about the heavy brass caps coupled with the 14mm jkbtn brass cones. You WILL need some kind of glue to assemble them. The cones are too big to presss fit.

Throughout this whole episode, I’ve been trying to figure out if the bigger bases help produce better sound, or if it’s the big 14mm cones, sticking way out of the bases that add the most to the sound. While I’m kinda leaning toward the idea that the bigger bases have the bigger impact - I could make an argument for either point of view.

The one, big drawback to my favorite resonators is that they ARE heavy. It takes a pretty good wad of Blu Tack to hold them in place. Every time I head to the listening room for some music, I start out by making sure all eight resonators are still in place. Luckily I have carpeted floors. It’s not uncommon to find one on the floor.

Hope you’re having fun.

Toolbox

My Brilliant Pebbles was the first comprehensive crystal-based (all crystal, actually) audio product to address all aspects of the audio system and room, and was introduced at the London HiFi Show way back in 2003 (WHOA!!) which was in fact some years after they were an actual product.  I suspect I might possibly know a little more than the average bear about crystals. Fire at will.

I agree with ozzy who says that "placement experimentation is the key." I am using 8 different kinds of DIY resonators in my system based on the HFT idea, with at least one more to come. I have also designed a unique resonator in 3 sizes, not based on the HFT design. I think it is becoming clear that the challenge is to find what works best for each one of us since each of us has a different system and a different room, along with different goals and budgets.

Whether this entails using measuring devices, guides, suggestions, diagrams or your own creativity, or a combination of some or all the above, is an individual choice and may depend on many factors. Since this can involve walls, floors, ceilings, furniture, components, speakers, wires and cables, tweaks and accessories the possibilities and permutations are nearly endless, depending on how far you want to take this down the road.

If you add magnets and crystals to the mix then you're in for the long haul. Obviously, time and patience are the two keys to success. It can take months or even years to develop all this. Since everyone's systems and rooms are different, and since our goals may also vary, it is clear that there is no formula that will apply to all situations. This is very much an individual endeavor. It is up to each of us to discover what works best in our own situation. Ozzy hit the nail on the head regarding placement experimentation.