Alan Shaw has discussed on Harbeth's forum about ambient temperature affecting test measurements. Temperature affects the stiffness of rubber surrounds in cone drivers, and also absorption quality of materials in the room (including insulation in the wall). So yes, room temperature does affect the sound. |
Temperature affects speakers, you can get different FR due to temp. |
Doing a listening session now. Kate Bush, Never for ever album, Holland original vinyl press, much better than U.S. one. Sounds as good as ever, uber clarity, space, beautiful. Room temp set at 65, comfortable enough in my heavy sweats and zero static issues due to too much dry heat. I truly believe now the fact I left my phono preamp and preamp powered on since yesterday is the difference. My Halo Parasound 23+ power amp gets turned off each time without any sound consequences as recommended by the manufacturer. But I shall not turn off my preamps anymore unless worried about lightning strikes. Letting those preamps get cold does affect the sound in my system. BTW, power is not an issue in cold heavy demand weather, measures real well in my dedicated house of stereo at 121 volts like any other time. I think this was a worthy discussion even if MC chose to ridicule it. And I do pay attention to the many things he talks about that he is familiar with. They are very instructive. Unfortunately he has a way to demean things that may not be familiar to him. Keeping an open mind is the best way to progress. Thanks to all of you audiogoners who responded.
|
No, but humidity does. And if you're running your heat non-stop, you're going to end up with very dry air. Unless you have a humidifier hooked up to your HVAC. |
Electrical conductivity improves as temperature falls. Superconductors have to be frozen. As fall as sound production by speakers is concerned, I would think altitude might cause a greater change in a speaker's characteristics than temperature as air becomes less dense and barometric pressure drops. If you go high enough you get no sound at all. |
Well OP, I go outside flip up a hoodie and come back in.. Stereo sounds BAD.. Flip the hoody back, take my hat off. Perfect. I forget sometimes.
The voltage thing is interesting, I never though about that in the winter. I guess folks do heat homes with electricity. I use valve amps and have for 30 years. I just have an old fashion floor heater that is Natural gas fired.
It stays at 60-62.
I keep the humidity high enough to stop static snap, but no problems with finishes in the house. Humidity stays the same here.
I guess were talking air density, sound flying through fog sure sounds bad.. Happened in SF a couple of times.. The fog would roll in an just ruin a concert, muffle the heck out of the sound in open stadiums, or Amphitheaters.
Regards |
Most of you guys are really helpful. Much appreciated. I have a voltmeter and will check it out.
|
With the unusual cold for your area there is probably increased demand for electricity which could result in lower current which will affect your stereo system. I live in Maine and we are currently in the midst of a cold spell and the current coming in has been as low as 112 volts versus an average of 115 to 116 which still isn’t ideal. I do notice the difference in the sound quality of my system when there are peak demands on the grid. |
That would make sense, it's probably part of what I am experiencing.
|
I don’t know about temp.
But I think , humidity changes the dispersion of certain frequencies.
|
Now, there is a lesson in comedy! Thanks oldhvymec.
|
Well, if it's so cold you have to put ear muffs on, that will effect what you hear. :-)
My gear actually sounds better in the cold once it's warmed up. Sometimes in the summer if I really push my shop bass bins the speakers VC will get a little hot. 15" Ultimax SVC Dayton. The 12" DVC Ultimax no problems.
Probably should go with Pro drivers or the new 21" for outside this summer. See if I can get the neighbors pool to slosh over the sides.. LOL
Happy Happy
Regards |
I lived in Summit County, Colorado for 10 years, so familiar with cold too, but dry cold up there, humid cold down here. Anyway I think the change in sound may be more due that I turned off all my equipment for the last 3 days. I usually leave my preamps always on. Will find out tomorrow since I left them on again. And MC, my thermostat was set at 62 degrees since I was gone for a few days. Getting used to your strange sense of humor. |
I am in Dallas and my system sounds the same.
And this is not not cold is was -47 in Thunder Bay, ON, CA Tuesday. My old stomping grounds. |
I know Texas is different in a lot of ways, but do you really not have a thermostat?
|
