frequency spike at 200hz

This weekend my local dealer AZ Hi Fi was kind enough to loan me an RTA machine and a Rives Parc. They didn't even sell me the speakers! Using the measurements from the Copland DRC205, I set the Parc for a 7db cut. The peak measured 11.3 db and at the -3 db mark 53hz wide so the Copland graph made it easy to set up the parc. Sonically, I prefer the Parc to the DRC205 but another box and another set of cables in the signal path is still identifiable to a slight degree. In this case, the benefit outweighs the negative aspect. Another interesting difference in sound between the DRC205 and the Parc is possibly due to the way the DRC makes its measurements. The DRC205 measures and adjusts each channel independently. The Parc also allows a user to adjust each channel independently. My dealer told me to set both channels the same. Since the 200hz bump is not exactly the same for both channels, I set the Parc up both ways and found when the channels were adjusted for their own individual response the sound more closely resembled the DRC205 which to me has a bit of an unnatural quality to it. I agree with my dealer that the Parc sounds best with both channels set the same.
I would not be able to live with the speakers 8 feet into the room. Currently they are placed 46 inches from the wall to the acoustic center, and this is as far out as I find acceptable. I'll see how I like the sound this week since I have the Parc on loan until Sat. The N802's certainly meshed with my room better than the ESP's. I may need to look for something more room friendly like a Gradient or simply go back to the B&W's, decisions, decisions.
The room is almnost square (bad) 14x14.75 ft and it definitely leaves a sonic footprint. In addition to the 200hz hump with the ESP's, both speakers have a dip in the 50-63hz range. I'm using a REL B-3 to fill in the bottom crossed over at 53hz.
Thanks Shadorne for your info and comments. My local dealer also stated that tube traps, etc. would not be sufficient to eliminate my problem.

Whether ported or sealed should not make much difference in this case.

You did your homework and I wish I had a better answer than this: Location, location, location. Anything else just doesn't jibe with the info you've given. Have you tried them diagonally to the room?

I've even read up on the ESP's to see if they have the "Wilson" equalization. That doesn't seem the case. They are a bit unusual with the angled baffle and the side tweeter and I read they are difficult for placement Also read that the spikes are near mandatory. The room is a bit unusual too but the N802's handled it. Just curious about that soffit, I've had closed closets resonate according to their internal volume.

I don't think it is microphonics. If the speakers are placed within 8 inches of the wall the bump is gone and so is the rest of the soundstage.

I may have misinterpreted this statement and the fact that you system photo seems to show the tubes quite close to the speakers and close to a corner (more bass energy there) and on the top of a stand (potentially more vibration).

I have not been able to find a room placement that is livable that will reduce the peak below this point.

Your description is sounding more like a classic case of quarter wave cancellation off the rear wall.

It is almost impossible to beat with absorption as your speakers and the listening position are generally symmetrically positioned with repect to this very wall. You get very broad and coherent dips and troughs right across your room. (This applies to every sound that has a quarter wavelength corresponding to the speaker distance to the wall...AND EVERY MULTIPLE of these up to around 500 or 600 Hz at which point sounds are more directional and tend to only go forwards from your speakers)

Now you know why Studios place monitors in walls.

If you don't like the sound with the speakers right up against the rear wall then move them at least 8 feet out from the wall and the problem while still there will be diminsished.

I hope this helps ;-)

Good luck.

I don't think it is microphonics. If the speakers are placed within 8 inches of the wall the bump is gone and so is the rest of the soundstage.
If the speakers are 20 inches from the wall, I get a 24db jump. The test method is Rives CD with a digital radioshack meter referenced to 70db @ 1000hz. The Stereophile test CD measures the bump as does the Copland but a few db lower than the Rives disc.

That is pretty big hump. Not likely to be your room.

Microphonics perhaps?