A bear skin rug might be just what you need. :)
shipping is a bear
problem solved
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
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- 56 posts total
I generally agree with this. By all means, OP should experiment with positioning in case he’s sitting in an null whereby bass is largely cancelled out - but quite often when sound is bad, it’s squarely the gear’s fault. Now my favored Tannoys are a different than most because 1. their controlled dispersion makes them more room friendly and 2. their internal fast-on connectors (drivers, binding posts) are awful and come loose easily - but a lesson I learned is to ensure your drivers are actually wired correctly. At least feel the woofer surrounds during playback, to verify they’re working. A "cold" woofer will certainly make the sound lacking! I’ve also recieved a set of Tannoys with all kinds of mis-wired nonsense - out of phase, tweeter and woofer leads mixed up - they obviously sounded like GARBAGE until that was resolved, then they sounded GREAT :) There are many mistakes made out there, and they aren’t always caught. |
Given that you tried two different speakers and have two different sources, I would put my bets on something is wrong with the amp or the cables (out of phase, etc). But usually phase or room problems are not this drastic, especially if you listened near field and you have front ported speakers. When is the last time (if at all) you have heard the playback you expected from your amp? Or possibly electrical issue before or after the breaker box? |
Swapping the new speakers for Wharfedale Dentons clearly made the sound worse. So logic says upgrading the speakers would likely make the sound better. Like @mulveling I am a big fan of single apparent source speakers because they reduce the confusing effects of wall reflections. I'd try some KEF, Fyne or Tannoys |
The first thing I’d do is get some kind of a rug down as that bare floor is definitely not doing you any favors. It might not solve your problem but will almost certainly improve your sound regardless, and it’s at least a start. Is the lack of impact more of a bass thing or is it up above that as well? |
- 56 posts total