Planar Speakers and Diffusors

magnuman,

I have a separate thread about the Michi 8’s under "Members Review".

Audiogon Discussion Forum

Check it out.

ozzy

@ozzy - It’s interesting that you get the best sound with the speakers 60" from the front wall. That’s exactly what the Cardas calculator for dipoles recommends for your room dimensions (well, 59.28" to be exact).

Try the diffusers, and let us know what you hear.  Generally speaking, I've read here and elsewhere that absorption is better on the front wall (behind the planars).  I have tried everything from nothing at all, to slight absorption, to full absorption (but never diffusion), on the front wall. 

The absorption does change the character of the sound, but I would describe it as more precise, more detailed, with better imaging.  Without absorption, there is quite a bit of sound that bounces off the front wall, and distorts the precise soundstage.  But it does sound "brighter" without absorption, so if your system sounds dull, then perhaps, no absorption will be better, although perhaps the musical imaging will be slightly more blurred.  

Experiment with your ears, and find out what's best for your system and your room.

drbond

Thank you for your comments.

I think the claim to fame for these Clarisys speakers is their wide-open soundstage, anything that inhibits that will change the design.

To try any type of diffusor unit(s) would cost about $1000 to cover about a 4-foot area.

And most mount differently. I would need to put a hole(s) in the wall to mount them. I’m not opposed to it, but there are several different diffusor types, along with different sizes. So, I would prefer to have more knowledge, before entering the path of wall Swiss cheese and trial and error.

ozzy

ketchup,

I guess my ear tune to my room is pretty good! LOL

At least according to Cardas.

ozzy