Asymmetric Room

Cool. Hopefully you get this addressed soon

@amhifi funny, not useful but funny. 

If I was getting glares from certain artists in my room, being Canadian, I would very politely ask them to leave.

OK, The following were my actions.

• I unplugged all non-2 channel components (and all 2 channel components not related to streaming). 
• Rerouted and further separated all cables
• Unattached TV cable
• Ran an ethernet across the room to ensure no interference
• Attached ferrite to power cords for conditioner
• Changed USB cable back to my old cable
• Disconnected my iFi DC Blocker+ from my preamp

Still got fluctuating frequencies at upper mid range

My next steps were to change speaker cables and bring my secondary speakers upstairs and try them.

Then I thought... listen without my hearing aids... suddenly the fluctuating frequencies were gone. My top of the line Signia hearing aids!! Also explains why it has always kinda been there. Have contacted my audiologist. Could be an expensive fix, but at least I got to the bottom of it.

Thank you everyone for you help and advise. @audphile1 The DAC may need to wait. If I need new HA’s, it will be $6K. I do like the LTA recommendation. As always, you provide excellent advise.

May be try a tube DAC? LTA Aero could be good if you don’t need DSD. They may still have home audition with return policy. Or PS Audio DSD MkII which will be coming down in price (expect good deals on TMR with return policy).

@adsell Great recommendation. I do have ferrite rings (wall wart cables wrapped) and chokes on all my wall warts. Never thought to add to my upgraded power cords. That would be one big choke. Any idea what size?

@audphile1 Interesting you had a similar observation with the Qutest. I would buy a new DAC if I knew that would resolve my issue. chatGPT recommends one of the Holo KTE DAC's, (Spring or May)  believing their sound would be more compatible with my R11's. 3 things.

1. I like the dynamic crisp sound of Chord

2. The size of the Qutest is perfect, although I could potentially install a larger DAC where my headphones currently sit.

3. I wish I could find a try and buy / diagnostic DAC solution. My Schiit MM2 installed on my secondary system recently failed, so unfortunately I can't swap it out for diagnostic purposes.

I have a free day today, so will be playing with different possibilities. Thanks! 

@signaforce agreed on the Qutest!!! I noticed the samevthing - left on it sounds worse after some time and requires a reboot. I would say if possible look into upgrading your dac. There are a lot of good choices there not expensive. 
 

I, like you, was chatting with ChatGPT and Gemini about EMI/RFI and the use of mix-31 ferrite chokes. I ended up buying a bunch of sizes and clipped them onto every power cord and wall-wart barnacle in my rack, plus on the power cables to my subs. The difference was noticeable—my audio through Roon, Qobuz, and even Apple TV streaming sounded cleaner, less noisy. Subtle, but playback felt more relaxed.

I figure each device benefits from having a choke right at the input. You can also stack filters, even at the wall. I added some to my power conditioner too. There’s really no downside—chokes are inexpensive, and the improvements, while not night-and-day, are definitely worth it.

@audphile1 Great question. Been thinking about that myself. I think the answer is it has always been there. Like all of us, I have been making continuous improvements and the occasional hash is more noticeable or all that is left. I ran the frequency sweep, proving the perceived issue for the first time a few days ago.  
One recent change is I had a smart switch on my Qutest to allow for remote power off that I removed. I suspected the smart switch was introducing post conditioner power supply noise.
However, I found when the Qutest is left powered on, it begins to introduce hash. I manually powered off my Sbooster and both perceived & measurable sound improved, not perfect, but better. 
I will either have to manually power off my Sbooster or bite the bullet and purchase a different DAC. I think I know what your vote would be. 😏

When did this start? Do you recall what change triggered this issue? 

On a positive note, I got my 3rd hole in one yesterday, so at least my golf game is working. 😒

Playing golf this morning, so will try some things this afternoon & report back. Thanks 

@yoyoyaya both speakers

@OP - simple test, if you are getting the same resonance a foot away from each speaker, it's probably not the speaker. If it's only one speaker, then a speaker drive unit/crossover is more likely.

But also check that there isn't something rattling in your room e.g. ornament on a shelf etc. It does happen.

@yoyoyaya Interesting response. That is actually chatCPT current thought, that I am getting cabinet resonance or have an issue with the speaker crossover. 

@boxcarman Even if I eliminated my pool table, because of the shape and composition of the room 8 windows, 2 dormers, 2 doors (one inset) slanted roof, etc I don’t believe there is a sweet spot. Thanks!

@audphile1 Thanks!

1. The room has 8 windows, 4 on the right. As you saw there is a tall couch, multiple pillows and an acoustic panel. Everything I can do this side of heavy curtains. Played with toe in, will try again. 
2. Have been using incisive, as I prefer crisp & lively, will switch. 
3. I am currently using Cardas Clear USB, which recently replaced my XLO ultra plus. 

@signaforce covering the TV will most likely not solve the issue. 
I would try:

1. Toe in more towards listening position - this will minimize reflection on the right from the window 

2. engage the warm filter on the Qutest DAC. I remember this filter being my favorite when I had the Qutest

3. Try different digital cable. Not sure what cable you’re using now. I liked Audience USB on Qutest. 

I tried having both a pool table and stereo in the same room and I ended up selling the pool table, because there was no place in the room for a sweet spot.  Also, I use the stereo 10 times more than the pool table.

It's often overlooked but adjusting speaker rake (tilt front/back) can make a big difference in treble response.

@OP While not necessarily the cause of your problem, you will get comb filtering from reflections from your sofa as well. So a throw on it will help as well. If you are hearing the problem within a foot of the speaker, check that it's not a resonance in the speaker itself - check that all the drive units are properly torqued.

@steakster Listening within 1foot of the speakers revealed the room while it may not be helping, is not the cause of my problem as the distortion remained the same. Your recommendations are well founded. I did try covering my coffee table. Thanks 

@reubent  @knock1 While not my current problem, will implement the dowel quilt solution. Thanks 

As @knock1 mentioned, a quilt will help with the TV reflection. You can buy a 1" dowel rod and cut it to the width of your TV. Drape 5-6" over the dowel and tack or sew it. When you want to listen to music, slip the quilt covered dowel over the top edge of the TV so the quilt is covering the TV. When you want to watch TV, lift it out and drop it below. Works really well...

"Any elegant solutions for covering the TV, I am all ears."

Quilt.

For a control, select a vocal cut that should be well-recorded recently - but seems to have distortion.*   Then proceed with many experiments to locate the cause of the distortion.  (This can take several days.)

A few suggestions: (1) throw a wool blanket over the coffee table in front of the listening position (2) unplug any HT gear - leaving only 2 channel powered (3)  make sure that power cords aren’t touching or paralleling any signal cables (4) confirm that all cable connectors are firmly plugged in - including AC plugs (5) mark the speaker positions with tape, then radically change their location - not just the toe-in (6) any other experiments. 

Good luck!

- - - 

* Years ago, when I had a similar issue, I selected Patty Griffin’s song, ’Let Him Fly’.   Some of her high notes were painful to my ears.  Now, they’re smooth as silk.   

In my case, the solution was clean power - with special attention to the streaming head end - modem/router/access point.  YMMV

@gdnrbob   
Bob, thanks. Possibly. Doesn’t explain the frequency sweep issues on 2 specific frequencies. I do think I have a problem. Thanks
@knock1 Thanks. Did not fix the issue, but did sound darker. Any elegant solutions for covering the TV, I am all ears. 
 

Eliminating all toe in helped with glare, but not as precise instrument placement. Still searching. Thanks 

I would start with covering the TV.

Also, remember not all recordings were properly recorded so if you are getting harshness from a few recordings, then I would chalk it up to a bad production.

Bob