Background noise.

I have two background noise sources: the (low noise) fans on my LabGruppen amp, and a slight hiss coming from the EV horns that’s due to their 111dB sensitivity and being coupled directly to a Belles SA30 amp (such that noise down stream is exposed) - that is, sans any passive cross-over components in between to filter noise. Both noise sources are barely audible from the listening position, and being very low in nature and once the music (or movie) is playing, I don’t notice it. That is until I switch off my amps and music server so that the setup effectively comes to rest, and now I suddenly notice the silence (...).

I’m guessing these noise sources have some impact on my listening experience, but to which degree is up in the air; again, I’m not consciously burdened by it. One thing I can’t (or don’t want to) do anything about is the slight hissing noise coming form the horns. I could filter some noise with a capacitor in between, while also protecting the compression driver to some extend in case of a malfunction down stream, but it would also defeat the purpose of avoiding passive cross-over components to begin with (I know: dangerous living). The other noise source though from the LabGruppen amp I could potentially ameliorate with even lower noise fans. That I’m actually looking into.

At the end of the day and at present I find the background noise level from my setup to be fully acceptable, but as I outlined above some effort can be made to bring it down even further. It will be interesting to see the outcome of it.

@nonoise

Ok, your user ID is taking on a meaning. I am really sorry to hear about your situation. That has got to be hard.

I actually assembled my former Office headphone system in the adjacent room in part to get away from my quiet air conditioner (in its own room, with a solid door) during the afternoon in summer. But now I can control my air conditioner from my iPhone… so I can turn it off during summer afternoon sessions.

I then upgraded my headphone system to audiophile levels. So, it is in a quiet place and offers isolation. It also allows me to watch the fire and listen to music in my library during the winter.

I really hope you can get into a quiet house soon.

@phusis

I had the same problems with the fans on my amp. While really small, I could hear them. So, I put a line of bolster pillows along the wall behind my system… problem gone. It was all reflection from the wall.

111db speakers… wow!

@ghdprentice wrote:

I had the same problems with the fans on my amp. While really small, I could hear them. So, I put a line of bolster pillows along the wall behind my system… problem gone. It was all reflection from the wall.

Nice solution and find. I suspect it had some, if only minor impact on the overall acoustics?

111db speakers… wow!

Only the horn/compression driver combo covering from ~600Hz on up (fed by the Belles amp) :) The bass section below is 100dB sensitive, and the subs are 97dB ditto. They're fed by a LabGruppen FP6400 and Crown K2 respectively. 

I have probably as quiet a listening room as anyone. Unfortunately the tinnitus has a way of taking over. Oh well, who said life was perfect.