Heavy drapes, plants and trees, rugs, bookshelves, a coat rack full of coats, etc... |
Since it's a living room and you wouldn't want acoustic panels on the walls, hang a tapestry on the rear wall behind the listening position. Worked great for me.
Plus, definitely drapes and rugs. |
If windows are part of the problem Marigo Tuning dots really do work and are about the size of a 50 cent piece - one per small window, 2-4 on large windows |
Why not start by subtracting pieces of furniture and ornaments
and things on the wall. You might be able to hear a difference by
addressing the "mess" this way.
Attitude is important, too. You could suggest to your partner
that this is just an experiment, and encourage her to keep
an open mind while you explore different possibilities, together.
Set aside a few hours for this project, and keep it fun.
Change the positioning of your speakers and try a new location
from which you listen to music.
You can also look at pictures of other systems, on this site.
Jim Smith's book, "Get Better Sound" is bound to help, too. |
"If windows are part of the problem Marigo Tuning dots really do work and are about the size of a 50 cent piece - one per small window, 2-4 on large windows"
Gimme a break. Is there *any* scientific evidence proving the effectiveness of these dots? I've yet to see any.
And as for folks sprinkling dots on their speakers drivers - this has to be one of the dumbest things I've ever seen. Speaker engineers spend countless hours endeavoring to reduce the mass of their drivers. And some audiophile comes along and ruins their science by *adding* mass to the drivers.
If these dots really provided *any* benefit, don't you think that the speaker engineers would use them? Have you *ever* seen a speaker that came with dots from the factory?
Think about it...
-RW- |
If you find you have need to absorb or diffuse on the walls you can wrap foam or diffusing panels in attractive fabric.Carpet tiles may work too,check out "Flor's" website. |
RW Have you talked to the Marigo fellow? He has good rational behind his window dots,is an avid and knowledgeable music lover, and offers his product with a no question guarantee. Have you tried them yourself? If not you might watch shooting off at the mouth when you have little but prejudice to share. And even if you feel obligated to share you perhaps you can find a way to do so courteously. |
Finding different ways to change or eliminate the problems isn't the problem at the moment. Determining what and where to do is. I thought with the incredible amount of desire for better audio there would be a mass of literature, and maybe even some websites dedicated to the subject.
I'll look up Get Better Sound and take a gander at it. |
Natural fibre fabric behind the speakers. Try thick wool carpet pieces.
Some kind of sound absorption at the first reflection point.
Nice comfy sofa to absorb sound at listening position.
If your couch is positioned against the back wall, all the better as your head is close enough to the back wall for your brain to not process reflections (it's what they do when in caves-get against a wall to eliminate echos and fix on actual sound source).
Hope this helps.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Some high WAF options here: ( http://www.audimuteacousticpanels.com/home-soundproofing ) (http://www.audimuteacousticpanels.com/acoustic-panels) Regarding your listening position: Against a wall may be great in a cave, but it's the last place you want to sit, listening to music(very bad for accurate bass reproduction, via peaks/nulls). Some good guidance here: (http://www.realtraps.com/art_room-setup.htm) |
I don't know about that. Due to room constraints, my head has been against the back wall for over 15 years and I get great bass reproduction. Tight, taut, and tuneful. Could it be that I also listen in the near field?
Sounds like something else is at play with your setup but mine is at the best it's been.
Doggitter, try some different footing approaches and set ups as no one thing is going to solve your problem. What is thought to be reflections can be a host of other things combining to make your listening pleasure not what it should be. I mention this because I recently experimented with some footings for my speakers and was surprised at just how much it affected the sound.
High end sibilance and other irritants can be easily judged to be due to reflections when it can be tamed by different footings, spikes and bases for your speakers.
All the best,
Nonoise |
Mr N: Yes, near-field listening could be making all the difference. Especially in a small room. Also, you may have a null(narrow enough or at a low enough frequency), against that back wall, that doesn't affect your perception of bass reproduction. (http://www.realtraps.com/art_small_rooms.htm) |
Rodman99999,
Thanks for the clarification. My speakers "only" go down to 40Hz so that probably helps as well since I'm not reproducing the really deep bass notes.
All the best,
Nonoise |
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I can't get much more solid footing unless I redesign the Paradigm M7 bases. They're sitting on a brick fireplace hearth, about as solid as can be.
I think the room layout situation is horrible but it is what it has to be. Adding and moving things to improve certain areas will have to do. I notice no pictures posted on this forum so I'll guess it's a no-no? I'd post a pic of the room otherwise. |
