2. speakers
  3. 194031-159476

2 Channel system sounds weak and lackluster

Hi

For starters let me go into my system. I have a 13x11x8 dedicated room (no room treatment at the moment and vinyl floor). Speakers are Focal Aria 936 driven by an Audio Research DSi200. Vinyl is Rega P6 with Exact through Whest TWO.2 phono and CD is PSAudio Perfectwave Transport and DAC. Each component is powered by and interconnected with Audioquest cables.

 

I have moved the speakers in many different positions and found close to the wall gives them the best sound, but no matter what I do they sound lifeless and have no real impact to the sound. Cranking the volume up helps to some degree but there isn't any intensity to the sound and just leaves me frustrated and wanting more.  The speakers are positioned on the 11' wall, though I haven't moved them to the 13' to see if the different angle changes much.

I also changed out the speakers last night with my Wharfedale Denton speakers and they were even more dull and lifeless.

End game for the room is to tear it down to the studs, sound deaden the walls and put carpet in, but other projects are more pressing at the moment. For now I just want to be able to listen to and enjoy my music.

 

Thanks all

boxboy83
rick_n's avatar
rick_n
290 posts
 

Well that's a bummer.  Small and medium sized rooms always have a place where the bass gets cancelled out and causes a big dip in LF volume.  Try moving you seating position and see if that brings up the bass you're hearing.

The untreated room is a real problem.  Since the room is almost the most important component in the system I would work on that, even if it's just baby steps, before swapping out equipment.  Too many people change all kinds of equipment and never deal with the room and end up frustrated.

The untreated room is sending full force, full range sound reflections off all the surfaces in the room competing with the direct sound from your mains.  This will be mostly mid range and HF signals that will arrive at your listening position all out of time (phase).  Good luck and cheers.

hjdca's avatar
hjdca
28 posts
 

Depending on the age, I would check the DC offset on the amp.   It is easy.  Here is the procedure:

To check DC offset on an amplifier, connect a multimeter to the speaker terminals, with the black lead to the negative and the red lead to the positive. Ensure the amplifier is powered on and not muted, and the volume is set to a low level. A reading of 0 mV or close to it indicates a properly working amplifier. 

Note:  I have an old 90’s ADCOM GFA-585LE that was not sounding right.  My DC offset was .9 volts, ie. almost 1 volt.  Way, way too high.  After a repair, it sounded great again. 

 

fastfreight
916 posts
 

Hi @boxboy83 ,  Is the sound equally dull with vinyl vs digital?  I always found the Directstream dull sounding.  If with everything, I would perhaps try a more enlightened amplifier.  I have not heard this AR amp.   I am not surprised the Wharfedale speakers were worse.  If you were to look at a new amp, what would be your price range, and new or used?

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