High End System Building. How important is the matching, cabling and room? Thoughts ?

ossicle2brain

105 posts

01-04-2024 at 03:28am 

An interesting experiment would be to take two DPDT switches like these

And hook up two competing cables. With a simple throw of the switch one could easily A/B test cables. I wonder why this isn’t done by the cable sellers at audio shows. It would prove the value of their cables.

If you consider the alternative possible outcome, you’ve answered your own question. 😉

Incidentally, sighted switching (A/B’ing) between 2+ items does not relieve the lack of experimental design that can prevent bias in the outcome(s). IOW, it’s still not a real experiment, unfortunately.

I think at certain situations a proper room can raise your system levels above where it is at. I agree with you somewhat but there are speakers and pieces that are just built better and sound better

Hi @calvinj - with all due respect, the speakers-room interaction is a practical reality, scientifically proven - it is not a belief or "school of thought". 😁

It is all about actually hearing your system - or as much of it as possible!
Speaker placement and even small touches of "treatment" make an appreciable difference, particularly in the low frequencies and the audibility - or not - of certain frequencies.

• REW is excellent free software, graciously available to music & audiophiles allowing you to model your room and get speaker placement tips as well as listening optimum position
• Since you are satisfied with your system / hardware, you could consider small, unitrusive "room treatments": placement of couches and armchairs which absorb low frequencies; artwork strategically placed that offer absorption or diffusion (Paintings, sculptures)...
• Don’t forget the benefit of using a sub or two -- not necessarily to add bass, but to disperse room modes (somewhat) making the bass more intelligible... i.e. you can hear it better. You could even hide these (I have...) and they will still be useful!

Of course the equipment makes a difference - but any system can only operate within the confines of the room it is in.

Believe me (😀) it is a practical matter - not a philosophical one.

My opinion too .... Thanks ....

Hi @calvinj - with all due respect, the speakers-room interaction is a practical reality, scientifically proven - it is not a belief or "school of thought". 😁 It is all about actually hearing your system - or as much of it as possible! Speaker placement and even small touches of "treatment" make an appreciable difference, particularly in the low frequencies and the audibility - or not - of certain frequencies. REW is excellent free software, graciously available to music & audiophiles allowing you to model your room and get speaker placement tips as well as listening optimum position Since you are satisfied with your system / hardware, you could consider small, unitrusive "room treatments": placement of couches and armchairs which absorb low frequencies; artwork strategically placed that offer absorption or diffusion (Paintings, sculptures)... Don’t forget the benefit of using a sub or two -- not necessarily to add bass, but to disperse room modes (somewhat) making the bass more intelligible... i.e. you can hear it better. You could even hide these (I have...) and they will still be useful! Of course the equipment makes a difference - but any system can only operate within the confines of the room it is in. Believe me (😀) it is a practical matter - not a philosophical one.

 

My opinion too .... Thanks ....

Well, you know what they say about opinions. . . .

My opinion too .... Thanks ....

Well, you know what they say about opinions. . . .

You are comical in your lack of argument... Then attacking my answer to another poster...

Do you think that what you just say dont apply to your own "opinion" ? Your "opinion" is king ?

Are you a conscious being able to recognize yourself in a mirror and able to manipulate logic ?

Then why your "opinion" contradicting acoustics science , because any system own the signature of the room where it is, why your "opinion" is it  the only one immune to your own judgement about my "opinion" ?

I must conclude that you are not a robot, because robot are at least logical...

Everybody here "know that electronics in front of the speakers" as you said make a difference each time and IN ALL TIME ...But the point to understand is not this common place fact known by all from 7 years old to 77 years old ,  anyway known by all of us , but the fact that audio main factor is acoustics , when a synergetical system is chosen at any price ...For sure marketing sellers dont claim this to their gullible customers...

Then as you said , you know what they say about SOME opinion ?  Some "opinion"  are common place fact without any use save repeating a common place experience: no amplifier or dac sound the same for sure ... so what ?

Read about acoustics and psychoacoustics and call this a new day in your life  ...

Acoustics is the sleeping princess and your ears/brain are the kissing prince and the gear pieces are no more than the 7 dwarves... Do you get it ?

It is not my opinion , it is a fact ...