Two edge sword. If you don't want to hear a difference, you won't. But I am sure you knew this. |
Maximus_lt, Virtual Dynamics is now High Fidelity Cables http://www.highfidelitycables.com/reviews.html
I have no idea whether they continue to have the test data you seek. |
Peterb, did you have to move the Acoustic Resonators around to find the optimal spots? Which ones did you use? |
I have the halographs, 2 pair, Shun Mook mpingo disks, Brilliant Pebbles, and the H-Cat line stage with its WTC. All of these interact. I will not spend time talking about when I had RoomLens, diffusors, TubeTraps, etc. They are all gone. I have largely removed my Shun Mooks and now only use a pair of the Halographs. This was the result of my removing everything and setting the WTC for its best and then reintroducing what was removed one at a time. This all took a long time and thus I am hesitant to redo this with the resonators. I have many friends, however, who swear by them. Hearing their experiences, I don't really care whether present science can explain how they work. |
Kal, as a scientist also, I am ever mindful that every discipline sets its own paradigm as to what is true, and tends to disregard contrary evidence until it is overwhelming.
I am also mindful that believing something can make no difference also predisposes one to not seeing or hearing something showing a difference. Perceptions of reality work both ways. |
Kal, we are dealing with what we hear, not with what a sample hears. This is not science but rather preference. If you don't like what you hear with the resonators assuming you can overcome your predilections, that is fine and were I to hear of it, I would have to weigh it against what others have said.
I sought an experiment at the RMAF in which the resonators were removed so that I might hear with and without, but owner of the suite was unwilling to do this as he was primarily selling electronics and speakers. |
Emailists, I should warn you that the resonators, Shun Mook mpingo disks, Halographs, Brilliant Pebbles, etc. all interact with the WTC control on the H-Cat.
I just realized this again yesterday when I came to the conclusion that I just could not find the right setting on this control with any degree of confidence, even though others seem to have no difficulty, at least after the H-Cat is broken in. Today I am once again going to remove everything of the resonant nature and build up slowly as I had done with the previous, H-Cat P-12B X5. |
Emailists, I increasingly think great music reproduction is like pornography. I know it when I hear it but I cannot say exactly what defines it. I have had several instances where initially I love a tweak or component in my system, only to some time later give a sigh of relief on removing it.
After being somewhat uncomfortable with the new H-Cat P-12R relative to the earlier P-12B X5, last weekend I decided to remove all resonance control in my room other than the Halcyonics platforms. I also removed the Stealth Dream power cords. I was shocked at how good the system sounded after adjusting the WTC to its correct position. This was much easier with everything removed.
Then I gradually reintroduced each of the Dreams. Each improved the attach and stayed. It did require some readjustment of the WTC, but not much. Then I introduced the Brilliant Pebbles. I first put one on the floor between the speakers on 3 4x4 tiles on cones. The image dropped about three feet and I removed it. I tried it on the amp where I had also gotten a nice improvement. It now made the bass thick and boomy. Out it came. Presently I have none of the Brilliant Pebbles in my room, although in the past they greatly improved my sound.
Finally, I introduced a pair of Halographs, putting them initially behind me as they had worked well there in the past. Not this time, however. I decided to try them in the corners behind my speakers which is the first recommended position. In the past I could not use them there as they really muddied the bass. Once again I had this result initially, but I persisted and canted the array toward firing at each other, which was one position from the 45 degree center mark. Bang! Even while I was still behind the speakers, I could hear the great improvement.
So right now I have one set of Halographs and nothing else in the room dealing with resonance.
I would make several observations. One, all of these devices have an impact. And two, there are many ways to reach the best musical reproduction. Finally,
a change in your components can change what works, but it is entirely trial and error to find the best. Perhaps, I should stop this adventure and stick with what I have to avoid this lengthy readjustment needed to accommodate a changed component. |
Jj2468, if you are right about maximizing your best component, I am well overdue.
In my case I often think it is the interaction of tweaks and components. If so, it certainly would discourage trying something new. I also think most components and tweaks have positives and negatives. Initially we may optimistically focus on the positives only to be later disturbed by the negatives. I think this is the same idea that you suggested. This suggests an element of psychoacoustics. |
Double4w, I think he means the new improved image collapses to normal. |
I have tried many resonance tweaks. Some I have liked, some I have liked for a while, and some I have disliked. I have not tried the Resonators but I must say that several friends' whose ears I respect love them. In the case of the Behold suites at both the RMAF and THE Show, the sound was excellent and had the Resonators. At the RMAF I inquired whether I could hear the system without the Resonators to consider their unique benefits. Unfortunately, they were using Resonators not selling them and could not humor me. When I asked at THE Show whether they always used the Resonators, I was told they would not do without them.
I have tried other small resonance devices, such as the Shun Mook Mpingo disks and the Brilliant Pebbles. They both have powerful effects that have to be assessed very carefully. There is no question that placing them wrong can hurt the sound. Small does not mean ineffective or at least this is my experience.
Will I try the Resonators? Only if I can hear a demonstration. They are too expensive to take a winger. |
Onhwy61, where did he say anything about RFI absorption?
Why should he provide you with evidence? Why don't you listen to some or attend a demonstration?
You are probably right that most audiophiles would not consider all of the electronic circuitry in the Lexicon PCM91, but why should this logic apply to the Resonators? Because you say they do the same thing? |
Sorry, I had not recalled that.
I grant that explanations of how it functions cast suspicion. |
Peterb, did you see the follow-up review on 6moons? I went to the international distributor's webpage also.
My guess is that they would interact with my Halographs and Acoustic Revive Quartz Resonators. Of course there is no way of knowing beforehand. Were I able to try them in my room, that would be great. But alas that is very unlikely. |
Peterb, I assume the back wall is behind the speakers. Were I to position these eleven resonators as you suggest some would have to be on windows and cabinets or book shelves. Is that okay? Also those behind me would be behind shelves of records. Okay?
I have tried many room treatments. I have used RPG diffusors, Tube traps, Room Lens, Acoustic Mirrors, Shun Mooks Mpingos, and presently Shatki Halographs, which are the most successful. I have also done digital room corrections which were the worst. I have also used Brilliant Pebbles and Acoustic Revive Quartz Resonators and still have some Harmonix room treatment pucks on the walls. The Acoustic Revives have been very effective on the speaker wall and the windows on it.
I have found great interactions when using several of these devices at the same time. Presently, I can only use one pair of the Halographs, seven of the Shun Mooks, and the few Acoustic Revive Quartz Resonators on the speaker wall. My H-Cat P-12R line stage has a very effective Wave Timing Control that greatly affects the sound stage and realism of the image. I particular the Halographs, Mpingo Disks, and Brilliant Pebbles fight with the H-Cat's WTC. I imagine that the Acoustic Resonators would also. |
Shadorne, of course this has been over a 20 year period and usually with one device tried at a time. Once about a year ago, I removed every room resonance device and adjusted the H-Cat. Only then did I seek to reintroduce the resonance devices. If they helped, they stayed. |
