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Sound traps/acoustic panels to improve the sound

I need advice:

I have open-baffle Concentus Lyra speakers manufactured by Nightingale (Italy). They had marvelous sound, especially with jazz, but when I moved to a new flat, I was aware that they lack HF extension as if covered with a blanket. The amp is Cary SLI-80 (the other amp is the older SLI-50). They are positioned against the short wall opposite the balcony and placed nearly in the middle of the room.
The manufacturer had told me before that these speakers do not require any specific placement or room treatment.
My question is: should I look for any sound traps/acoustic panels or other room tweaks to improve the sound? I have other speakers on loan now (the cheapest Montana DPS speakers) and they sound very balanced, though do not reproduce jazz music as well as the former speakers. With the former speakers, I was surprised to hear the cymbals when I moved close to them (to high frequency drivers), while I don't hear them from my listening spot (which is not the case with Montana - I can hear everything from my listening spot).
I will appreciate all thoughts and recommendations.
transl

Showing 1 response by newbee

newbee
4,795 posts
 
For some reason I have a hard time accepting the statement by the manufacturer that the speakers didn't require any specific placement. This is because in my experience the least suitible place to put a speaker is against the back wall. This kind of placement will usually give an enhanced bass response which can make the speaker overbearingly boomy at a volume where you can hear the highs. It will also kill any sense of depth to the stereo image - it will sound flat image wise. It will never sound spacious and airy.

You don't mention how you have positioned your listening position and your speakers. I would suggest that you do some research into proper room/speaker/listening position set up. The difference is huge and will dwarf any change in components, etc.

If you are interested at all in set up give us an outline of your room including dimensions, openings, furnishings, present specific listening position and speaker locations.
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