So, I found that with the Stillpoints Apertures the SR HFT’s are just not needed. In fact, the soundstage is more natural without them. So I sold all of the HFT’s. I had 35 of them!
Then I bought a couple more of the Apertures. I now have 6 of them. 2 on each side wall at first reflection and 2 in the center between the speakers.
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ebm,
Yes, Thanks.
I'm still gonna try to fit the HFT's on the walls somewhere. I have a lot of them.
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Glad to hear you found the best spot.
I would like to add that with the Apertures the HFT's on the speakers are not necessary. In fact, it sounds more natural without them.
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monoblocknova,
Thank you for your posting. Behind my listening spot I built a huge CD rack that holds about 6000 cd's. It is about 15 feet long and about 6 feet tall. I'm thinking that this rack provides the scatter effect.
But, now you got me thinking....
I can't believe how much Stillpoints wants for the panel racks. Great thing you were able to make a DIY panel holder.
I ended installing mine on the wall about 14" off the ground with one on top of the other covering about 44".
I think you can see it on my systems page.
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morningstaraudio,
yes,
I experimented with them in so many different ways. Stillpoints also said to cover the drivers which ended up requiring a total of 4 of them.
Plus, I still have 20" round ASC tube traps in the corners.
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Now that I have the 4 Stillpoints Apertures placed. (I have 2 on the left and 2 on the right at first reflection), there are noticeable improvemnts in very familiar recordings.
Example:
"Green River" by CCR in 24/192hz I must have played this song zillions of times.
I now can clearly hear Tom Fogerty playing rhythm guitar in the center channel. Before the Stillpoints it was barley perceptible.
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Just ordered an additional 2 more Apertures. What surprised me the most when I tried 4 of them was how much bass clarity and depth they provided.
Expensive yes, but do they work well!
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Just received my (2) Stillpoints panels that I purchased. They are in a black frame with black grill cloth, looks real nice.
I’m going to take the opportunity while still having the 2 demo panels to experiment. The blacks ones are at first reflection with the bottom of the panel at the bottom of the tweeter. Which seems to sound the best thus far. (My Sopra 2’s have the tweeter below the midrange). At this moment I placed the demo units under my black ones.
I still have some black convoluted foam at the second reflection, and ASC bass/tube traps in the corners from floor to ceiling.
Is 4 better than 2? We shall see.
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Yeah, it would have been worth at least a trial with my HFT's but I wasn't able to set it up.
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I have been so impressed with the Stillpoints Aperture ll's that I went ahead an ordered a pair. The soundstage is not only clearer, but even deeper and wider.
Hard to believe, I thought that I had already achieved the best I could with my equipment and room. I guess someday I will purchase a few more.
Question for those who own them:
How high should they be placed? Ear level? Covering the mid and tweeter? I am using a chair to experiment with the demos now.
Thank you all for the help.
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So I was able to talk to Betty from High End Audio. She said the reason that the SR panels and the HFT's don't play well together is because the HFT's vibrate and enhance the soundstage, while the panels absorb. Sort of like each is fighting the other.
Well, I have been using the Stillpoints at the first reflection point and I can tell right away that there is a better vocal presentation, more realistic if you will. Not sure but I think the bass has diminished. I need to listen more before any conclusion. BTW, I am using them with my HFT's.
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Thanks wisper,
I only have the original HFT's and my DIY versions. A lot of them in fact. Wonder why they are not compatible?
The Fed Ex man just now finally delivered the Stillpoints for my trial. So we shall see what the fuss is about. Much more expensive than the SR, but perhaps my HFT's will work magic with them?
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wisper,
Thanks for your update. I have about 30 HFT's. So I hope that the SR products will work with them. I can't remember where but I recall seeing that the HFT's do not work well with the SR panels. Perhaps that's why they came out with the dots.
I tried contacting Alfred and SR to no avail. SR rep said someone would get back to me. That was before I started this thread, must be due to the virus?
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wisper,
Thanks so much for providing your actual experience. It really helps.
Did you try the SR panels with the HFT's?
BTW, Fed Ex missed the Friday then Saturday delivery dates. Now the tracking shows its out for delivery today (Sunday) but I just don't believe that now either.
The Post Office seems equally hit and miss.
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tomic601,
Not sure what you are referring to. Can you provide a link?
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select-hifi,
I have considered the GIK. Its just that the SR and Stillpoints are claimed to go beyond just reflection/absorption panels.
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morningstaraudio,
I will it looks like the Fed Ex tracking has changed to Saturday.
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ebm, Thanks.
I suppose that is true about everything. So how do you have the 6 configured?
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Ron17,
That's good to know. I have some very tall 20"ers in the corners that at this point I would like to keep.
Hopefully I will have my Stillpoint trial units this Friday.
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ebm,
Wow, that's something that is hard to believe. Can I place the Aperatures behind the speakers?
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Thanks millercarbon and ron17 for that information.
I will be getting a trial Stillpoints pair soon. It will be interesting to see if they play well with all the SR HFT’s I have in the room.
I do have some large ASC bass tube traps in the corners. But again, with my giant TV I am limited and not able to place a panel in the front center.
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Thanks ebm,
I'll see if I can get a pair to trial.
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slaw,
Thank you. How many do you have?
BTW, there were reasons why I removed the DIY Entreq box thread (if that's what you are referring to).
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Ron17,
Interesting you are using them behind you only?
I have a 85" Samsung TV between the speakers which would make placing a panel in the center difficult. I have managed to place some of the SR HFT's behind the TV though.
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millercarbon,
I only had the HFT’s versions on the speakers and they did add a quality. I just don’t want to stick them back on again. I can’t see any good way to get inside my speaker cabinets but I’m sure that is the best way to get the full affects of the mat and the PPT stuff. Like the idea of the fo.Q inside too!
BTW, I placed a call to Synergistic but due to the virus they are all in a sort of hibernation state and had no idea when someone could get back to me.
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ebm, Thanks.
Do you have the version 1 or 2?
By chance would you also be using the HFT's?
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.
Thanks millercarbon for your reply.
I had many of the HFT's on my speakers along with the PPT Omega Mat +.
I just completed cleaning/buffing my speakers to a high gloss shine and now prefer not to stick anything to me them again.
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