solution for a very bright room?

If you can't do a lot of treatments (at least put up some cornerbusters of a soffit system that incorporates treatments). Then make sure to setup a near field listening position. And look for a speaker like Wilson's where they are aimed directly at the listener to lessen the side wall interactions. some speakers require them to be faced forward to create the soundstage instead of towed in.

I own a Tact and it does help, but you have to upgrade the powersupply for it to be considered depending on the level of your system. Now I own the 2.2x and I use to own the M2150 integrated and that was a bargain slayer. and yes the 9 eq modes can be used to make unbearable recording listenable. Sub integration is amazing when used with 2 DAC cards because of the flexibility of placing the speakers in the best position for naturalness and imaging and not being concerned about bass.

RW--No problem, we were based in Maryland several years ago. We manufactured the PARC there, but now we are based out of Iowa. It really doesn't matter very much where we are located because the majority of communication is by e-mail and phone. This keeps costs down--with level 1 starting at only $1200. Level 2 our dealer takes acoustical measurements (so again, we don't have to travel and can keep the cost down). Only in level 3 do our engineers go on site.

Thank you for the comments on our reputation. I just didn't want people to think we were a regional operation--regardless of what region.

Just for starters, a thick rug and curtains for the sliding glass door will take a bite out your problems. Wall hangings, bookshelves and other furniture will break up sound waves as would large plants. Sometimes dispersion is preferable to absorption. Over damping can take the life out of the music. Bass resonance may be your biggest obstacle, but if brightness is the problem you may be able to tame the room without professional assistance or electronic correction.

Desoto,

With a fairly live room (which is what I prefer), my inclination is towards speakers with uniform directivity over as much of the spectrum as is practical. This is because the tonal balance will be dominated by the reverberant energy in the room, and most speakers don't do very well in this area. That being said, if you have a serious acoustic problem in the room even super-narrow pattern speakers won't eliminate it - you'll still need room treatment of some kind. Would a wall tapestry fit in with your decor? How about a throw rug? You only need to treat one of each pair of opposing room surfaces to get rid of slap echo. Do you like plants? Plants can be used as diffusors to prevent strong, distinct early reflections ("specular" reflections) that can be especially detrimental to imaging and/or perceived timbre.

Briefly, there are two general types of radiation patterns that generate a nicely balanced reverberant field. The first type is omnidirectional or quasi-omnidirectional, and includes dipoles and bipoles. The second type is controlled forward-radiating, and includes many coaxials, horn or waveguide speakers, and a few conventional direct radiators. Nearly all of the speakers I sell fall into one of these two general categories. Speakers I don't sell that do a good job in these areas include models by MBL, Shahinian, Wolcott, Mirage, Magnepan, KEF, Pioneer TAD, Tannoy, Classic Audio Reproductions, Edgarhorn, PiSpeakers, SP Technology, and Avalon. I'm sure there are many others that I've overlooked.

Arguments can be made as to whether a wide or narrow pattern works best in a room like yours, but part of it comes down to personal preference. What kind of presentation do you want - more like you're sitting up near the front of the concert hall or jazz club, or more like you're sitting near the middle of the hall or club?

Duke
dealer/manufacturer

Duke, that was a most enlightening post!