Looks like those speakers have dual binding posts for biwire/biamp.
Maybe you forgot to connect the jumpers. ;)
Maybe you forgot to connect the jumpers. ;)
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
70 responses Add your response
Aerials are excellent; therefore people buy them and don’t give them up. I think they are producing smaller, less expensive floor standers now based on the 7T. I always like the 10Ts so I’m thinking along your lines. Full range like a larger Spendor rather than an LS3/5A - a Nora J. monitor, the latter. The Paradigms and PSBs are some to consider. If you can put your TT and sources in an adjacent room that should help - perhaps you are getting acoustic feedback? Finally make sure your mains power supplies enough amperage for each line going into your electronics. |
"Wave superposition and cancellation" applies to ALL frequencies - not sure why you read suppression into that It may be that is not his problem BUT it is very easy and inexpensive to check - he can simply hang some rugs in various places in the room and test The kef LS50s have a good reputation, but aren’t easy to test. Take a look at his pic and if anything it seems he has too much reflective surface... yet another reason to get some analytical equipment in there and find out what is really going on Still need to hear answers to the questions about what he had in the UK... One more idea: just maybe it is not a room-speaker interaction (less likely, but...) - he can take the speakers outside and test, OR turn them off and borrow some headphones to test |
"Wave suppression and cancellation" applies more to the lower frequencies, which aren't generally associated with "Liveliness." He's not complaining about dropouts - he's looking for more highs and maybe presence. Unless you are adding reflective surfaces, room treatments will dull the sound. It looks like he has plenty of reflective surfaces. Standmounts and a small sub will give better flexibility in that space. |
These are new & different items/brands items, purchased when you moved away from the UK? What did you have in the UK and was it at all lifeless? Besides component choice (and the possibility that your listening enjoyment was shattered by falling onto a hard brexit), "My room maybe partly to blame" is a very likely issue. Shape is one issue, but size may be forcing you to listen in near-field conditions. The cheapest thing is to try some room treatments, and it is possible to use wall hangings, tapestries etc that will be allowed in by your wife. Those can address treble - traps will likely be needed for mids/lows. A spectrum analyzer is your friend. And time - lots and lots of time. Small speakers, as noted above, could be the salvation here. Or try a half bottle of whiskey before listening ... |
It's a picture, I can't tell how big or small the room is. Spout, could you post the dimensions and take some pics from all directions.? People are telling you your room is too small, we can't tell, he could have 10 feet behind where he is sitting. It looks like you might benefit from some better setup. Read up on the different methods for speaker setup. The room acoustics should be addressed. It might help to get that cabinet out of there. You could set your gear up on the left, if you clean up those shelves. Yes, that might involve getting longer speaker cables. Do you live near any audio shops? If so, go in and listen, if you like the store, find out if they will let you bring in one component at a time, and put it into the system they used that you liked. I don't know any of your gear. Could be one big mismatch. I recently heard a system using a Moon dac, I didn't like it. Your CD player was reviewed in 2004, it may be part of the problem. I don't think you will find what you are seeking, by changing speakers, without hearing them and others. Get the Lumin set up, see if it sounds better than the CD player. We all have our preferences, but I won't recommend specific gear, not without knowing more about the room. Going to the audio show is a good idea. |
Another very nice speaker for a small space is the Gershman Chameleon. A relatively small floor standing 2 way speaker with incredibly good detail, very nice with strings, vocals, horns and percussion and present a convincingly deep and wide stage. They also have very good base - full and punchy, down to about 32 HZ, so may not need a sub. If still available, they sell new for around $2,200.00 and sometimes can find used for around $1,000.00. I've had and listened to speakers that cost much more money that didn't sound as good. Good luck with your Quest. |
For small kids go to basement, I'd suggest speakers with large foot print that are very hard to move. Therefore I bought Aerial 10t. They're children proof and very strong tonal balance -- as perfect as you can tune with active crossover, deep soundstage and quality bass. They're not around much used for a reason so keep an eye. |
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by the way, I kind of agree with Jond in that your speakers are too big for the space. Narrow dispersion stand-mounts are better ideas, especially if clarity and musicality are what you want. They may also "sound" tighter in the bass due to not aggravating room modes as easily. Here's a good option http://www.hsuresearch.com/speakers.html Best, Erik |
Start with your room acoustics. Good acoustics will outlast every other piece of gear. :) GIK Acoustics gives great advice and most value components. Courtains, wall hangings behind and on the sides are additional ways to improve the situation. Once that’s dialed, then make decisions. Usually adding acoustic treatment in the plane of the imaging you want to enhance is the best idea. Lastly, you need speakers with really controlled dispersion OR lots of acoustic panels. I mean, it’s a trade off. The narrower the dispersion, the less acoustic materials, more or less. But that’s a tight spot. Line sources or panels may be much better options. The last thing you want in this case is very wide dispersion speakers. Small horn loaded/wave guide speakers may also work well. Try crossing your speakers in front of you instead of shooting them straight ahead too. |
Paul nice feet! :p On a more serious note that looks like a pretty small room or at least a narrow one for floorstanding speakers, no wonder you are have issues with bass response. They seem to be firing straight ahead have you experimented with toe-in yet? In that room I would personally use a pair of standmount monitors, the rest of your gear and cabling looks pretty solid. So take some time mess around with the Dali's and see if you can make is listenable in the meantime you are in the NY/NJ metro area and should have tons of places to audition speakers. Take your time listen and try to buy it right and buy it once. Cheers! |
