How to tweak a system.

The beauty of the XLO Test CD Track 3 (out-of-phase) is that set up of speakers using Track 3 is independent of type of speakers, room dimensions, use of room acoustic treatments such as tube traps, location of windows, and openings to other rooms.

Virtually all other methods of speaker set up are generalizations that may or may not hold true for a particular system/room. Track 3 of XLO Test CD allows audibility of speaker position to within about 0.5 inch in a well tuned system.

Cheers, GK

Wellfed, The XLO Test CD, track 3, is really a great test. It's something I use for set up. Occasionally when I think I have a sharp center image dialed in and I use this track I find that the out of phase sound is not equally spread about. Sometimes its due to room abnormalities, some times its because the listening position is not dead center or that one of the speakers is getting reinforcement from toe in/wall reinforcement etc. GK is right on.

The walkabout tracks are interesting as well, but I wish the CD had came with a diagram showing the exact locations in the room where the sounds originated - the vocal description on the disc leaves a lot to be desired.

When I say that I'm more qualified in how not to tweak a system, I mean this: If you try to tweak a system in terms of getting the treble,etc., that you know is there, you are making a big mistake. That's why I am critical of reviewers who use a certain discs for a certain thing(i.e., the bass). Tweaking like that is a mistake. But, on to other things. I currently have my amps sitting on 4-inch teak on top of my preamp. This is not a proper tweak(per Mapleshade, and others). The amp needs to be on the floor(with proper support there). I also have very tall speakers that aren't wide(the original DCM Time Windows, Newbee). They would sit on a rug. Instead, I use a Mapleshade 2-inch mapleboard with Isonodes under the Maple. I would suggest that one does not put tall, thin,light speakers directly on an almost 2-inch rug.

Mmakshak, I guess we're are talking about different things. Didn't pick that up in your original post.

Man, Newbee, you are requiring me to study the previous posts. Damn, I'm so far behind everything, already!