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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
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.
lousyreeds1's avatar
lousyreeds1 OP
286 posts
 
Hi, the left wall is twelve feet to the left of the left speaker. In otherwords, that left speaker is floating in air. This is why I wasn't sure what to do with first reflection points- the two sides are not equidistant to the listener.
newbee
4,767 posts
 
If you are trying to tame the highs, cross the axis of the speakers well in front of you and put something diffusive or absorbant on the wall between the windows. And, of course, put the drapes back down. That might well solve some of your problems with the highs. Looks a bit odd, but it can really work.
tomryan
796 posts
 
You really need to move those speakers back about 2 feet and move the sofa forward the same distance. I'd try it just for fun and I think the sofa and room would look better that way; more relaxed and friendly. It's a real cool looking room as is and to bring the sofa into it would make a huge difference as regards aesthetic appeal.

It would also take away a lot of the hard surface ringing effect I'm sure you're getting. I did that about five years ago and the sound smoothed out quite a bit. Heads, just like most speakers, need to be away from room boundaries.
boa2's avatar
boa2
1,551 posts
 
Oliver,
Am I seeing something, or are your two speakers not the same distance from the back wall? The right one (as you're seated) appears to be closer.
Those windows will reflect a lot. And as Tom said, try moving the couch in a little. That back wall has got to cause some problems.
Good luck,
Howard
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