Not sure if the OP has given up on us, but for posterity at least . . .
+1 on using a DSPeaker or similar room correction component.
I had a similar set of problems in my listening room (a study -- smallish room, reflective surfaces (french doors), one speaker nearer a wall than the other) and a similar problem of lifeless sound. The DSPeaker (Antimode 2.0 Dual Core in my case) made a huge difference. The system sounds awesome -- to me at least. I had a nasty resonance around 75mHZ that is now . . . gone.
One aspect of using room correction equipment that isn't often mentioned is that -- completely aside from moderating unwanted low frequency bumps and dips) -- they can help you determine, in objective terms with actual microphone test results, optimum speaker placement and room treatments. It's a little tedious to do the experimentation and testing, but at the end not only can you "trust your ears," but you can see the data through frequency response plots. In my own case, shortening a long story, the DSPeaker actually saved me money by demonstrating that a separate subwoofer in addition to my ML Motion 20's was not really doing much. The speakers alone were getting down to about 32 mHZ +/- 3dB on their own and the improvement in low-end frquency response was marginal, and boomy to one degree or another, irrespective of sub placement. The sub went back and I've been delighted ever sense.
YMMV, of course, but that's my own experience with the DSPeaker. Easily the most impactful component I have.
Cheers,
Alex
+1 on using a DSPeaker or similar room correction component.
I had a similar set of problems in my listening room (a study -- smallish room, reflective surfaces (french doors), one speaker nearer a wall than the other) and a similar problem of lifeless sound. The DSPeaker (Antimode 2.0 Dual Core in my case) made a huge difference. The system sounds awesome -- to me at least. I had a nasty resonance around 75mHZ that is now . . . gone.
One aspect of using room correction equipment that isn't often mentioned is that -- completely aside from moderating unwanted low frequency bumps and dips) -- they can help you determine, in objective terms with actual microphone test results, optimum speaker placement and room treatments. It's a little tedious to do the experimentation and testing, but at the end not only can you "trust your ears," but you can see the data through frequency response plots. In my own case, shortening a long story, the DSPeaker actually saved me money by demonstrating that a separate subwoofer in addition to my ML Motion 20's was not really doing much. The speakers alone were getting down to about 32 mHZ +/- 3dB on their own and the improvement in low-end frquency response was marginal, and boomy to one degree or another, irrespective of sub placement. The sub went back and I've been delighted ever sense.
YMMV, of course, but that's my own experience with the DSPeaker. Easily the most impactful component I have.
Cheers,
Alex