2. misc-audio
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Suddenly, things are sounding awful...

So I hooked my system back up after about a 6 month absence (though the speakers were seeing constant use in another system for much of that time). 6 months ago, the tonality was fantastic. Things sounded rich and detailed. Now, the system sounds extremely bright (especially on top), very grainy, and much of the detail is gone.

I did indeed change the system's position in the room. But Everything has been repositioned very carefully, and I don't see why there would be any major acoustical problems.

The equipment is as follows:
Silverline SR15 monitors.
Audio Refinement CD Alpha
Audio Aero Prima series 1 integrated
Analysis Plus cabling

The only thing I can think of is that perhaps my NOS tube in the Prima is dying. But could that cause brightness and graininess? Those aren't the symptoms I would normally associate with a failing tube.

Suggestions, comments?

Thanks!
128x128lousyreeds1
robm321
932 posts
 
My system which I'm very happy with sat idle while I listened to my headphones because I moved to a new place and the brightness made it unlistenable. Seriously, now tell me what's improtant?

BUT, I can't hardly blame people for not knowing what to do with the acoustics. Acoustics aren't that complex, but all these companies that charge a premium will make it seem like it is something only experts can understand, and you have to pay $500-$1,000 for a panel that is just condensed fiber glass with a pretty fabric (I realize it's a little more complex but...). So, a lot of audiophiles go back to what's easy... upgrading components.
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1 OP
286 posts
 
So I've had to move things around again, hopefully for the last time. Now I'm really clueless about what to do acoustically. I have everything shoved into half of the room, with one speaker about 18" from a wall. Yikes! My system is under 'getting started' and it's called 'the blue room'. There are pictures posted. Does anyone have ideas for me? I have more foam lying about.

Thanks!
jeffjarvis
257 posts
 

Move the listening chair away from the back wall.
Try to position your ears in an equalateral triangle with the speakers with more toe in.
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1 OP
286 posts
 
Thanks for the advice. Sadly, I really can't move any furniture. I can, however, change the speaker positioning slightly, or add/subtract foam from the walls. I've experimented with toe in, but haven't found anything that sounds better than this.
sol322
426 posts
 
Reeds:

If your room is still as in the system pics I'd suggest to get panels for the first reflection points in the sidewalls. To get a glimpse of the effect use some of the fiber you have lying around or heavy blankets for those points and the backwall. Maybe you just open the window drapes for the pic taking, if not compare sound with them open vs. closed.
How does the room's left side wall (from listening position) looks like? Not seen in pics.
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