Have you ever solved a high end audio issue using non-audio technology? Or, visa versa?


Sometimes we just have to be creative to fix a problem.  Our "bag of tricks" may go well beyond the usual "audiophile grade" tools of the trade to produce a positive result.

Here's one:

Years ago, I acquired a little British sports car.  This, itself is an unusual story.  I'm a performance car enthusiast with a 835HP vehicle is parked in my garage.  

At any rate, the little 4-cylinder "tractor motor" had solid lifters that sounded like a Singer sewing machinegoing down the road above 3,000 RPM.  It distracted from the driving experience.  I was thinking how nice it would be to quiet them down a little.

Then I remembered the can of Acoustical Magic material I had in the basement.  For those unfamilar with this material, it's used to dampen the vibration/resonance of turntable platters.  I pulled the aluminum valve cover, cleaned and degreased it thoroughly, then applied a generous portion of Acoustical Magic.  After a little curing in the oven and allowing it to set for 24 hours, the valve cover was reattached.

If I had it do over again, I would have measured before/after with a spectrum analyzer. But, my best guesstimate is that there was a 6-9db drop in the tapping sound, and I could hear the sounds around me while cruising.  The driving experience improved exponentially.  Thanks to Acoustical Magic for a cheap, effective solution to my "acoustical" problem.

I have to admit that a year later the true "hot rodder" in me required that I add a turbo to the little engine.  The sound of the off-throttle blow off valve is music to my ears.  And, driving something resembling a real sports car, as opposed to a British commuter car was a plus.

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I used plywood boards, mounted on stands, as deflectors near speakers to help with FRF and DRF. Works amazing. If someone could make a nice version of this (Chinese screen design, perhaps ceiling mounted) there is a major audio product in this idea but I've not seen anyone jump on it.

 

You guys are definitely thinking outside the box.  Great responses!!

Okay, 2 more:

I once used several 3" automotive exhaust pipes to vent an underground subwoofer into an outdoor firepit.  At a (calculated) air velocity of 76MPH thru the ports, it burned thru firewood pretty fast.

I wasn't happy with how my microwave popcorn was turning out.  Cooked too short = unpopped kernals.  Cooked too long = dry and tasteless popcorn.  My solution:  more/better power.  So, I hard-wired in a custom "audiophile" power cord to the Panasonic microwave oven and ...

I'm not going to reveal the (measured) results.  I get beat up enough here from the guys who don't like premium power cords. But, I'll just leave you with this thought:  Orville Redenbacher would have been proud.

"I once used several 3" automotive exhaust pipes to vent an underground subwoofer into an outdoor firepit.  At a (calculated) air velocity of 76MPH thru the ports, it burned thru firewood pretty fast."

I have no idea what that means...🤔

We had an audio buddy, whom we haven’t heard from for a while, who put springs under just about everything. They made the presentation more lively, I guess. Where are you, MC?