Do Audio Hobbyists Commonly Fail to Fully Utilize Their Systems?
This question is polite way of asking: How many of us spend big bucks to secure the best sound we can, only to misuse or under use our equipment? IF my personal experience is anything to go by (probably not typical) many times I've done something purely ignorant which resulted in an otherwise decent system failing to perform as it could if well connected? My error in my SVS sub settings is a perfect example. This morning the timbre and soundstage is unlike I've ever heard from this chair. For a year at least I had two filters fighting each other squashing my tunes! Audiogon forums are often assessed to cure perceived problems by members however, what one doesn't know CAN harm you! (your sound that is).My short list of crazy stupid isn't by any means limited to the subwoofer setting error. A short list includes wrong tubes in wrong places, modem and router WAY TOO close to amp, speakers overly toed`in, and the list goes on...Its probably impossible to believe but apparently some of us need a "systems check up"! Wishful thinking I suppose but you know there's others who have invested hundreds if not thousands only to produce B~ sound. Check list? "FIND WEAKEST LINK HOTLINE"? Ideas?
My not using well thought out room treatments is not getting the best out of their rig. I had just a few treatments since I got back into the hobby, then added a few....and the results were embarrassing, this was a new level of SQ. I tore out much of my system, and am building a proper listening room with room treatments from a clean slate.....costs of course are much more than I initially counted on, so on hold right now. |
@vthokie83 If you are building from scratch, you might want to specify good room dimensions. The research has been done, by the famous acoustician Cox. He found that about 2% or so of rooms are good, about a quarter are OK, and most were bad (published work on the basis of a large computer similation). Snake oil is out there - but so is the science. As Cox shows, inches count. Look it up. I did it, and am I glad. |
As have many others, I would say people’s listening rooms. Not many of us can do anything about it’s dimensions, which is a damn shame. I’d love to have a bigger one (room, that is And while not wishing to be judgmental, I see many systems whose monetary value far exceeds the value of the owner's music library, which I don’t approve of. No offense intended.
|
My son walked in our living room and said (in front of his mother), "Dad! You've designed this room entirely around the stereo!" "Come on (I feigned denial) that's ridiculous!" Wink Wink....Since I live in a 30 ft yurt, the walls are fabric. 15 ft ceiling at peak. My listening chair is positioned in the middle of the circle house. My speakers are 12 ft apart, and 14 ft from me. Above the level of the Klipsch Lascalas sits a large curved screen at the top of the wall between the speakers and above my components. Turntable on a suspension platform to the left side, sub on the isoacoustics sub stand to the right. Imaging is incredible if recording is done well.I've built angled walls 7 ft tall narrowing toward my sweet spot leaving a straight wall behind my chair 3 ft and extending to my right and left 6 ft. To the right and left of both speakers there's an open walkway of 5 ft. Sorry need pictures. I'll work on it. |
).