Reflections must not be suppressed completely OR enhanced over absorption ...
Yes, like in a concert hall. Too many audiophiles have over damped rooms.
Limited soundstage between speakers
No matter what the source, the soundstage in my system remains within the width of the speakers. I read with envy of systems which extend the soundstage outside the speaker boundaries. Is this a problem with my speakers, amplification, room boundaries or something else?
What change should I make to improve the soundstage?
gyrodec/shelter 501/exposure 3010s2d/ spendorA6
Showing 9 responses by lowrider57
Check to see if your preamp or other component inverts polarity. If so you would need to swap the pos and neg leads on your speakers. How close are your speakers to the front wall? Moving them forward can improve imaging. And using absorbion and diffusion in key areas will improve image, soundstage, and SQ. My system presents a focused 3D image between the speakers and the soundstage extends beyond the speakers. This can be achieved with proper setup and of course, component selection. |
Well, I know it's possible to achieve what the OP has asked about, but it takes work and a recording that presents the required soundstage. I listen to large scale classical and quartets/quintets. If the recording is mic'd and engineered well I get to enjoy a wide and deep soundstage with a layered and focused image. The full orchestra extends beyond my speakers and each section of instruments is well defined. My all tube system plays a role in this presentation. Of course there are many recordings that don't extend beyond the speakers, but the soundstage extends from speaker to speaker with a focused image. BTW, in post #2 of this thread I stated that the OP needs to check if his system is in phase and are there any components that invert polarity. I don't think we got an answer. My room is acoustically treated as much as a listening/living room can be. Following the instructions of John Devore for setting up his speakers is what locked the image into place. It doesn't take a masters degree in acoustic engineering to properly set up a listening room, no disrespect to that member. Maybe it helps that I know what to listen for due to my years working as an audio engineer.
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Mahler Symphony 6, Barbirolli/New Philharmonia. Warner Classics 2021 remaster Pink Floyd, Obscured by Clouds, "Mudmen." Sony Music Beethoven Symphony no.6, Chailly/Gewandhaus Leipzig. Decca 2011 Pat Metheny, Watercolors, title track. ECM 1977 original mastering
Playback is Qobuz through Node2i. Soundstage is wide and deep, well beyond the speakers. These are different genres. I don’t have the tweaks that @mahgister uses. I use balanced power conditioning, component isolation, with equilateral triangle speaker setup and room treatments. |
I do believe in tweaks. Most are supported by scientific principles, but there are a few out there that improve sound quality but defy explanation as to how. So, I never criticize a person who uses a tweak that I don't understand. It's their system, so go ahead and enjoy it. It took years to get my modest system to sound right. Realistic tonal qualities are what I'm hearing. My goal is to reproduce the recording as accurately as possible. And yeah, often the source has been manipulated, ie, enhanced soundstaging, but that's what the engineer has given us. |
Agreed. Cutting to the chase, I think any audiophile would know this.
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