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
sbrownnw
716 posts
 

@sns I'm surprised no one has mentioned AC,  quality of AC can vary widely, the fact you liked system in another room points to this.

I mentioned AC / power twice in this thread.  Still have yet to hear if OP tried my recommendations...

bdpack
6 posts
 

Perhaps you could try a conventional power amp and preamp. You problem is not room acoustics. You are witnessing the pitfalls of class D amplification. Nice idea but questionable sound quality. If your integrated has preamp outputs try a good A/AB power amp. A Bryston 4b or equivalent will make you rethink switching amps. 

boxboy83 OP
6 posts
 

Update - I managed to get the panels from costco, cheap and not nearly the quality of proper equipment but this is just for testing anyhow. One on each side wall and one behind and to the center of each speaker. Dramatic difference for the better, the sound was full like it should be and with proper soundstage. I didn't get proper measurements of where they should be or even move the speakers around to try to improve, was short on time. But I think it is truly just room treatment like many suggested. I'm sure other components could help or upgrading amps, but again money is a little tight to worry about trading out several thousand dollar components. Unless something drastic changes I believe this is resolved, so thanks again everyone for the help.

squared80's avatar
squared80
175 posts
 

You said no room treatment? Why are you asking for help before doing that. Only other thing is if your amps are too weak. You should trade out those crap cables for plain old 12AWG OFC.

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