Base trap spacing

Hilariously, I had exactly the same problem with GIK Soffit Traps.  My solution was a 90 degree Leviton hospital grade plug, which was amazingly tight:

https://amzn.to/440izbz

I replaced all my outlets with commercial grade outlets, but it wasn't until I plugged in the Leviton that it truly felt clamped on.

PS - The combination of a high grade outlet + Leviton may be challenging for your drywall.  Consider a Hubbell Flush-Fit if your outlet has any play against the wall at all.

https://amzn.to/3OdSkrX

@erik_squires are you suggesting a high quality outlet along with the plug you sent a link to ? Would you mind sending me a picture of how yours is setup ? Thank you 

Um, I would send you a picture, but it’s behind a bass trap and subwoofer!! :D

I’m suggesting a decent outlet with a 90 degree plug. The plug is the key. It keeps the cable flush to the wall until it hits the outlet.

I do suggest at least "Commercial/Residential" outlets ($5-$10) to replace old residential outlets. The commercial part adds higher quality and tighter contacts, the residential part of the label adds tamper resistance (TR) which is required in residential outlets. Of course, you are free to go nuts with even more expensive outlets. :)

I wrote about this here:

https://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2022/01/audiophile-ac-outlets-for-frugal.html

PS - I added a picture of my outlet/plug combination at the end of my blog post.

@erik_squires I never even thought of that. Pretty sure GIK was recommending a power strip instead. I have a furman I used on old set up. However I didn’t wanna have the furman in the wall then my power cable in the furman. Do you notice different sound with it set up the way you have it. So basically the power cable plugs into the plug from The bottom ? I really really don’t wanna install another outlet. 

OP:

Pretty sure GIK was recommending a power strip instead. I have a furman I used on old set up. However I didn’t wanna have the furman in the wall then my power cable in the furman.

Lots of good power strips have 90 degree plugs which is probably why GIK was suggesting it. Truth is that the cable in my blog goes to a Furman voltage regulator, which then feeds my conditioners.  The original plug though was not a right-angle plug and the Leviton was a better solution than a right-angle extension cord.

Do you notice different sound with it set up the way you have it.

Nope.

So basically the power cable plugs into the plug from The bottom ?

In the picture you see, that’s exactly right, the power cord goes out the bottom instead of the back of the plug, and the GIK bass trap is snug to the back of the plug (except when I'm taking pictures). The plug can be wired to plug in from almost any angle, in case your outlet has the ground up or down or sideways, or you want to to direct the cable to the left or right more than down.

I really really don’t wanna install another outlet.

The outlet is not your space problem. You don’t have to install another outlet to fix that, just a new plug.

I do however recommend you at least get a Commercial/Residential outlet because they are well built, reliable, have a solid grip compared to normal cheap residential outlets and will give you a chance to clean up the wiring and make sure you don’t have backstabbed connections. About $5 and 10 minutes to install. About the same effort as installing the Leviton plug. Of course, make sure you have turned off the breaker and use fine grit sand paper to clean the bare wires.

Just to be clear, the Leviton is a replacement plug, not an adapter. You don’t plug a wire into the bottom, you wire it through the bottom, and mimimizes extra connections.

That is, you’ll have to remove any existing plug, disassemble the Leviton, wire it, and re-assemble it.

If that’s too scary, and you don’t mind an extra plug and socket in the way consider this 14 gauge extension cord:

https://amzn.to/44WRnve

They also make pure 90 degree adaptors, but I don't like them.  I think it is too easy to disconnect or get a partial connection over time.

https://amzn.to/44KoFOk

@erik_squires yea, I will likely go with the cord option. I emailed Pass Labs this morning asking what they thought on the options you offered me. I know the traps don’t need to be all the way in the corners, more for looks at this point. Your thoughts are much appreciated. 

OP: If you are not looking for a boutique power cord, they also make IEC power cords with 90 degree plugs. 

@erik_squires I have an Audioquest Monsoon cable atm. The bass traps came in yesterday and I thought I had more room. Thank you though 

OP:

Ah, in that case the short cord is going to be your solution. :)

@shtr74sims

I’ll tell you why I think moving the outlet to behind the system is a better strategy -

1. it allows you to retain your current power conditioner and the cord feeding it
2. it gives you an opportunity to use a much better, high quality power cord on the amplifier and plug it directly into the wall. Shorter power cords will be less expensive than the longer length versions.
3. you will not have the panel flush with the wall unless there’s nothing plugged into that outlet. The right angle plugs won’t cure your issue
4. And finally, the cost of having an electrician run the outlet behind your equipment rack will most likely be cheaper than farting around with new angled plugs, cords and strips (not to mention potential sound quality degradation due to use of lower grade plugs, adapters, etc).

Commercial grade outlets are fine if that’s what you think is good enough. Leviton plugs are not for audio. Hospital grade outlets aren’t either. The design goals there are to create a death grip connection that makes accidentally pulling the plug less possible. None of these connectors or outlets offer any benefit as far as improving sound quality. The hospital grade outlets will strip the plating off the plugs on power cords. Unless you are using all stock cords and have no plans to upgrade them, you’re fine. Other than that, look elsewhere.

The hospital grade outlets will strip the plating off the plugs on power cords.

Yeah, cause they are cheap.   Hahahaha.

@audphile1 

+1 Very well thought out and presented. I think you are right if you do the job correctly you will be much better off.

BASS...it's BASS NOT "base."

Isn’t it good to have some space between the wall and the absorption devices.?

@wolf_garcia 

It’s OK, we knew what he intended. Inhale… exhale… inhale… exhale 😊… there you go.

Yeah...I feel much better...by the way, BASS...it's BASS NOT "base."

Isn’t it good to have some space between the wall and the absorption devices.?

@campoly - With panels, yes. Space behind can, to a point, improve the bass absorption of the panels and extend the panel's effectiveness downwards. In this thread we are talking about devices designed specifically for being placed flush in the corners.

Having said that, a few inches of space won’t hurt , but it looks weird.

@wolf_garcia GPS? 

@erik_squires the general consensus is there can be space but I agree with you that it looks odd. To be honest the ocd in me it drives me nuts. They are cut to be put in the corners for a reason. 

I had the same issue along with windows close to the corners.

The new round traps were a way better fit for in the corners.

@maxdukecapone if I move my outlet behind the rack, it will fix the issue all together. That and I can get shorter power cables when I upgrade 😀

“To be honest the ocd in me it drives me nuts. They are cut to be put in the corners for a reason.”

😀, your head would explode if you saw my room. I have GIK 1D Alpha panels stacked in front of my corner traps in two corners of my room.

@campoly lol… 

Since you were saying no to new outlets, I figured you'd surely say no to moving it. Of course, that's a great solution. :)

If the circuit is not already dedicated, instead of moving it I would suggest running a new one. 

OP,

Just a note. Typically 2 meter power cords are recommended. This is because the longer they are, the more “power conditioning” you get. This was a fairly new concept to me, so, I got a hold of a one meter and two meter AudioQuest Hurricane and tried it. Darn if it wasn’t true. The two meter sounded notably better than the one meter, quieter and more dynamic.

@erik_squires after thinking, it’s better to just fix it the first time instead of avoiding haha. 

@ghdprentice i have heard the same. Seems to be a very common thing now days. Thanks for the heads up though.