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22 yrs ago,in my first home I had a live end dead end listening room using Sonex. The results in that room were spectacular.In years since I have been fortunate to have been able to use less and less room treatment. I have found by using specifically determined angles at the ceiling wall junction much of the lost energy that seems to collect at the ceiling and corners can be redirected back to the listener. The result is you have a much more natural listening environment without the use dynamic destroying, dampening materials. Before I implemented this system [with much advice from my friend Brent ] I used the Argent Room Lenses with much sucess.I still use the Lenses to contour the edges of the soundstage. I now think of sound waves as if they are fluid ,in that you can bend them and redirect them like a intake manifold or exhaust manifold does in an automobile.This new to me, rationale has resulted in a much better listening environment and greater listening pleasure. I am now experimenting with new accoustic devices which have so far been a total winner,and wow what an improvement.-Tom |
To much questions to respond....just check out the reviews at their site for technical information. You will see different reccomendations, positioning, how they work, what to expect and so. Also, go to www.audioasylum.com and search at the tweaker asylum under Room Lenses. Check the Jon Risch site too. You will see discussions on every question you may have.
...and yes, they work but don't need to be the original ($399.00/each) RL...the DIY version will do the same. |
I am curious about these "things". How do they work? Where do you place them? Are they limited to a certain frequency?
Do they subtract sound? Do they add sound? Do they neutralize sound? Is there a way to measure a room for appropriateness? How do you determine how many you need? If they are all the same size, how could they possibly have such consistent success in such varying systems/rooms? |
Sean, I heard Jahaira's setup when I went back home. Those things *are* ugly, but very effective. Personally, I think I can (and presently do) get effective room treatment w/out them. I am successfully combining good tasting decor with acoustic treatments.
BTW, Jahaira has played around with *the* wood... |
Yeesh, i've always thought that those things would be the end of any type of WAF in terms of room treatments. I find them pretty appalling looking myself let alone what a woman worried about "interior decorating" might think. Judging by the "bundles of praise" being heaped upon the results obtained by using them, maybe i need to visit Jon Risch's site again and build a set or two. If they work as good as you folks say, i might be able to live with the "fuggly" looks. Sean
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I made my own set of Room Lenses using the Jon Risch recipe combined with Greg Weavers steps and Thorsten filling recipe. Let me tell that after they were finished, they spend about a year between two audiophiles friends systems and almost lost them. They made fantastic results on both systems and on different positions. The actual guide from RL manual are just that, a guide to start. Final set up will depend on room, kind of speakers used and trial. The effect in my case is to give a huge soundstage, there are more details and clarity too. depending on the center lense position, the vocalist are presented at different deepness. The DIY can cost around $60-200 depending on the quality and finishing of the bases. Mine are finished in solid pieces of Red Cedar and were made by a wood specialist. There was my extra cost. Regarding the other materials, just plane PVC tubing (2") and pillow filling at Wal-Mart.
Regards, |
I've got four since my room is also being used for HT. I had to use two instead of the one that would normally go between the left and right speaker. I've found the thing that I like about the room lenses is that you can really tailor your sound by making very small adjustments in the locations of the lenses. Two inches makes a change in music presentation. My room had a bit of mid bass bloom and the lenses completely remedied my problem. I really didn't initially think that a positive would be their physical appearance but it is now probably the most impressive piece of gear in my room. |
Assuming speakers have been selected to taste that are appropriate to individual room volume and budget, and one has gained sufficient self knowledge in the psycho-acoustic phenomenon in the process of exhausting speaker placement, and room acoustic treatment exercises, then spend on gear to support those speakers.
Of course, if very rare decent source material has not been found as a reference initially, it could all be an exercise in futility. Without it, speaker qualities cannot be discerned, let alone component gear. Much less the subtle mystique of cable and tweak differences. Like a computer, any system is subject to 'garbage in, garbage out'.
Try at least one of the CD's recommended at: http://www.linkwitzlab.com/music.htm (there is nothing to buy there) for a reference. Especially if your goal is hearing the individual instruments as they actually sound live, and to reproduce the concert hall experience as closely as possible in your room, with your system.
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Jvogt - That saving is $1140.00. Don't sell yourself short. |
I went to Home Depot, bought some 2 1/2" (or thereabouts)
PVC piping, pine boards and some fiberglass insulation
(for stuffing the tubes at specific intervals). I built
a set of three Room Lens-clones for about $60, and spray
painted them black. They're not as refined and classy
looking up close as the real thing, but I figure I can
put up with that at a savings of about $840 under MSRP.
Do a search for Room Lenses and you'll find several sites
giving the information. |
my listening room was never ideal ,then i got 1 for between the two speakers, i was hooked, i bought 2 more within a week,ranks right up there with changing to the right cartridge or dac for your system,i havnt heard a downside,but i do move them around to get the proper sound ,just what i needed,something else to tweek with! |
They are my favorite "acoustic treatment". Very flexible in regards to positioning and impact. Since my Amati's are rear ported, I find that placing one behind each speaker, in-line with the center-line of the speaker is fabulous.
Just ordered a second set.
TRH |
I have had very good results in my room in "cleaning up" the overall soundstage and smoothing out a slight midbass hump. While the suggested placement is a good starting point, you will definitely want to experiment with other setups. Overall, a VERY cost-effective improvement. |
