For a couple cents worth of filament, I can 3D print spacers to go between the Heil reflectors and the bodies that will create a greater difference in sound than $$$ cables.
As it is, I just push the reflectors in tight and if you try to pull them back out a hair (and I do mean a hair) you don't necessarily get the spacing consistent top to bottom and between the left and right speaker. This will take care of that.
And if I don't like what the spacing does, it's only a couple cents more to try it again at a bit different distance.
For me, this is what makes it a hobby as well as a source of relaxation.
@toddalinAgree. Tweaking and experimenting with what you have around to improve sound is a fun part of the hobby. I like building systems and I usually start with an idea in my head and then challenge myself to make it happen. The new systems concepts usually involve doing things smarter, against the grain, and counter the mainstream high end audio culture. When I started in this hobby in the 1980’s the audio scene was more like the DIY Audio Community and I find it hard to relate to what it has become, so many clueless participants with more money than brains who think they can achieve great sound by just paying for it. These days I feel more at home at DIYAudio and with custom built one-off and one-of a-kind components and systems than commercial offerings. I better stop ranting.
1MM spacers. As I noted, takes out upper midrange and adds to the high end..., maybe a bit too much. As I said, everything is a compromise. I’ll probably try 0.6MM.
A nice thing about YouTube is that you can go back and compare other versions of what you’ve been working on as a point of reference.
I did this one last year, probably when I put the Mundorfs on the Heils. But other mods since (in the newer recording) seem to have helped with clarity and intonation a bit. There also seems to be a bit more "attack" on the piano.
I think that I got the 3D printer and did the Heil waveguides, changed to the Spragues on the 18s, and changed some values around just a bit, for the current recording. And of course, added the spacers. Sure one can do this on their own computer without YT, but where’s the fun in that?
I used to think about the competitive nature of my audio journey when I was young. At 71 I couldn’t care less. I enjoy what I have and do not think I need anything else except an upgraded streamer set up. Everyone who listens to my system walks always stunned which means only that I am on the right path but each ear is different. My system suits my ears perfectly. I enjoy many other systems I listen to. Less refined and less expensive to those that cost wise way out pace mine. That being said at the end of the day all that matters is do you enjoy what you have and does. It leave you feel fulfilled musically.
isellgoodgear My system’s based the unique and astonishing Audiopax amp with timbre lock.
From A’pax videos below, I see what t-lock sounds like. It seems much reverberation/resonance is removed. The soundstage seems shallow (no depth). Just my impression. Alex/WTA
This is the spectrum for the Heil without the reflector in place.
Here we add the reflector with the 1MM spacer. Knowing that the woofer has a very steep slope at ~3,500 Hz, what would you rather listen too?
Now we change out the 1MM spacers to 0.6MM. The problem with working with media this thin, you don't get a smooth edge. But, note how the frequency balance has shifted down just a hair. The real gains occur when you get <0.2MM, but this looks pretty darn good to me.
So, what kind of $$$ are we talking for such a shift, which is probably more than you would get from swapping cables? Maybe a couple cents.
Some old friends dropped by to play. You really hear the "noise" of the digital transfer on this CD. I should have engaged the "tube simulator".
As always, this is on an Oppo-95 through a Yamaha RX-Z9 RECEIVER in "Pure Direct" mode and no eq or room correction, either electronic of physical is being used. No special wires are used and the speaker wire is 14 gauge "speaker wire." I did rewire the entire house/system to a 20 amp breaker with 8 gauge wire and no splices at all.
This sounds expensive, smooth, and musical. Very nice! Slightly dry sound presentation due to silver cables but silver makes the sound more detailed. Never boring. Great sound system! Alex/WTA
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