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Help, my system sounds lifeless!
Hi, this is my first post. I rushed putting my system together when i emigrated from the UK to New Jersey. In fact this site was partly to blame as i was attracted to the amazing "used" deals! I bought a pair of Dali Helicon 400 (mark I) as they passed the WAF. The rest of the system contains a Belles Soloist Integrated and Simaudio Equinox SE CD player, wireworld platinum eclispe 6 interconnect & Audio Art Cable Classic SC-5 Speaker Cable. My room maybe partly to blame but generally the system sounds lifeless, with little soundstage (better when i play vinyl). I am not feeling/falling in love with the speakers and do not like the bass response (which is often reported). I would like to change the speakers and was wondering if you could help. I have an extremely large cd collection (and have recently bought a used Lumin D1, but unfortunately not set up yet) covering all kinds of music. I am thinking 8ohm with better sensitivity would be a better option. Looking to spend around $3000-4000 used. Some contenders include Revel F206 or F208, Tannoy DC8 or DC8T, ATC SCM40, JA Pulsars (maybe too much $), PBN Liberty, Aerial 10T (never see them used) but they must have grills as sometimes kids go in the basement. Maybe Monitors with stands would be better option? I am hoping the flickr link works so you can see my room (excuse the feet!). I want to fall in love with my large music collection again! Looking for good bass & soundstage and speakers that can play all kinds of music (sometimes I'm partial to deep electronic music). In some ways because my taste is so vast i am not particularly looking for ultra revealing speakers (Nora Jones speakers i think you call them!). Looking forward to the NY audio show so i can hear some systems. Thanks for all the help, cheers Paul https://www.flickr.com/gp/97665913@N06/a5G6d9
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Another option for you, try out the LM-1 kit. I just put this up on my desk in my bedroom. Unlike my main speakers, the LM-1 works VERY well in tight spaces. You get detail and air even when they are crowded. http://speakermakersjourney.blogspot.com/2016/02/the-lm-1-bookshelf-version.html It's a great foundation for a satellite/subwoofer system. |
your wife would LOVE some tapestries and wall hangings int heroom see my post above (way above) - if done well, they may be able to make the speakers act like they are in a larger room AND, when she sees the blankets behind the speakers, just say "oh those are just to test for where to put those nice tapestries you were talking about earlier") |
In the $3-$4k price range, there are some Reference 3A Grand Veena's FS on USA Audio Mart atm asking $3900CAD which would punch well above their price point - http://www.usaudiomart.com/details/649301570-reference-3a-grand-veena-speakers/ |
I still want actual dimensions and pics from all angles. We don't know the rooms true dimensions, based on two photos. I can understand WAF in living room, but in the room you are in, in the basement, you need to take control. After my girlfriend moved in, she started hinting at changes. I was ok until she suggested moving the stereo to the long wall. When asked why not, I made it cleat it was about sound quality, and that she could make changes in any room of the house but that one. To the OP, if kids could do damage to the system, put a lock on the door, and then start training them when you are around. |
Dear Paul, Here is an official promise to you. For quality speakers, here is two options with which you cant go wrong and that many in US don't know about; XTZ. It is Swedish made with top SEAS and Accuton drivers, it is sold direct from manufacturer, and I can certify are amongst world's best. Its flagship, the Divine 100.49 (actually being replaced with new model the Alpha) are a quarter of the price of the B&W 800D, but they beat these English speakers by far, and can play in small to large rooms. If you want a bookshelf model, the XTZ Master M2 is an absolute winner. I own these and know what i am talking about, these are real gems you will not regret one second. Just a word of cautious: they really need the break-in hours before they sound like paradise. Sound is pure, tones are perfect from top to bottom, balanced, holographic, excellent both loud and soft, dynamic, you name it they have it, they are really that good. I can easily state that they are miraculous speakers for the money. Now if you want a not less than brilliant amp, full of life and true musical vibrations, the Coincident 211PP Dragon MkII monos, with upgraded Psvane WE211 tubes, are difficult to match at any price (one month or about 250hrs break-in needed). If you decide on some of these components and are not satisfied, i will stop making any audio recommendations for the rest of my life. |
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Speakers should go on the long wall with NOTHING between them. Re-do yourI just viewed a video on http://www.myspeakersetup.com/ which heartily recommends speaker placement on the long wall, and if this works, which I suspect it will, my audionut world has been changed for the better and forever.room with this in mind, and it will sound MUCH better |
Well I enjoyed my first audio show and found it very friendly.
The only room i couldn't get into was the audio arts room.
Maybe it was quieter on Sunday as the marathon put a few folks
off. A lot of the brands i wanted to hear were not present but highlights were the GamuT, Mola Mola/YG, Technics, Prism/ATC, &
Sonner rooms. Oh and some big horn speakers (Volti) were great. I was
hoping my jaw would drop at my first audio show but it didn't quite
happen unfortunately, maybe i am more of a sound snob than i thought!
That or the famous small NY hotel rooms! Still I did get a few music
requests in! Well its finally Thanksgiving so I am hoping to put the Dali speakers up for sale, set up another router for the Lumin and play with some new cable. I am starting to finalize my monitor list (so far the Tannoy DC8, Proac Response 2, Harbeth Compact 7 ES3, Revel, Focal) so please let me know if you have any tips. As mentioned I play all sorts of music, so they need to sound fantastic with Kate Bush as well as Trentemoller! I will try and find a tape measure and provide room dimensions. Wishing everyone a happy Thanksgiving. Cheers Paul |
Yes, put the system on the long wall if you can, and play with toe-in. Often a big difference in bass quality and imaging. Then put some silver coated copper speaker cables in there. I recommend Mapleshade (awesome and quick and transparent, but can be a bit tempermental) or Morrow Audio (start with SP2, terrific midrange, and quick enough). Try this before going down the speaker/amp change-itis rabbit hole... |
Still here! I just wondered if anyone has some advice for new speakers priced under $3000 (Used). As I listen to all types of music and my room is not ideal (see earlier link) I think I am going to go for some monitors or smaller floorstanders. I like the odd bit of electronic music so bass is a must. So far on my list are: Volent VL2 Tannoy DC8 Pulsars Prana Fidelity Fifty90 Proac Response 2 Some other that have caught my eye (should be ear) are; Proac Response 2.5 Tekton Lore S Spatial M3 Turbo Alta Audio Rhea Any help greatly received, happy new year. |