I’m not convinced the presenter was being totally transparent with that statement. Maybe in a perfectly treated room, with perfect dimensions and no furniture in the way you could achieve the effect of a perfect center image even as you walk around the room.
Or maybe you need MBL speakers for that…
I think part of your specific problem may be the relatively small size of your room, front to back. We all deal with compromises of one sort or another, and it seems you’ve found a reasonable solution for the majority of your playback.
To me, the big takeaway on the speaker setup video was the non-symmetry subject. If you can let go of that “need” for the speakers to be perfectly symmetrical in the room, it allows more flexibility and makes critical listening the driving factor.
I’m playing Buena Vista Social Club album and it sounds wonderful! Great separation of instruments and voices, all is perfectly placed from right to far left.
It’s a pleasure.
This is not my reference recording for speakers set up but for sure now I know there is something able to sound as perfect as I want/dream/hope. No electric guitars, in fact!
I will sleep in my cavern, guarding the speakers all night long if necessary.
Thank you, my 20yo son plays electric guitar and has a really fine hearing, he is able to hear exactly what I’m hearing when the problem is happening so if I need a check to my ears I’m not the only in my family. Or is a DNA matter…
Today is a good day! After last speakers set up I’ve done yesterday all is sounding really balanced. Left, right sides all wonderfully presented behind the speakers, same albums and new different recordings.
Fingers crossed.
How I need/want to work soon on my new room project!
I’m so happy that I just played a few albums and I switched the system off for the first time earlier than usual to go into Morpheus arms smiling and really satisfied!
Two days ahead to listen to music, long rainy weekend here! And I’m going to read some reviews about my new crazy purchase: Innuos Statement Next Gen (compulsively ordered to my dealer 2 hours ago)! Consider it my Christmas personal gift, who me? The vinyl guy? It’s a strange world!
During last months I had saved funds for the MK II AirLens combo but after last beta weeks I ended up that they are still far from my hands, so a new toy is coming…
I cannot keep up with you digging rabbit holes. My next upgrade will be after my daughter graduates from college. The Statement should be excellent, and I wonder if PhoenixNET will still be beneficial in that case. Let us know.
Thanks. Yes I trade in the ZENith and the PhoenixUSB (it would be redundant with the Statement) while Innuos guys recommend to keep the PhoenixNET because it can be beneficial working together with the Statement.
Within 10 days, if stars are aligned, I’ll be able to share my thoughts.
You have Innuos MK3 with PhoenixUSB+Net before if I remember right. It the Statement beats the three combined then it may be a worthy upgrade.
Now that MK2 does not distiquish which input has better SQ, there are a number of servers then come into play. People who own Aurenders seem to have a bit problem playing through it, but Innuos should work fine.
Yes you are correct, ZENith MK 3 + PhoenixUSB + PhoenixNET will be replaced by Statement Next Gen + PhoenixNET after weeks of research, reading forums/reviews and long discussions with 3 dealers I pulled the trigger. So many people stated this will be an upgrade (home audition as usual it’s impossible here).
And I still have the doors opened to go next year for both the connections: USB direct to MK II or Ethernet to AirLens to MK II.
I’m sorry. You’ll have to move your speakers again
I find with fine upgrades like this it makes transparent even more things to correct. I wish you luck and congrats on the purchase. A friend of fine recently upgraded and he might consider it endgame.
It really depends on speaker design. Some speakers are better at this than others. My Totems disappear in a room beautifully. My Vandersteen’s would come and go at the sweet spot day by day. I’ve heard panel speakers that are unreal in their ability to disappear. Have you seen Linkwitz designs? I got to hear the reference this past year and I agree with hype around its ability to throw a soundstage from anywhere i the room.
If stereo imaging from anywhere in the room is important then select a speaker that is designed to do that. The vast majority of speakers are designed to only “work” from a single position.
I’m totally in “work in progress” mode until next March when I schedule to change a few things of my room: symmetrical side walls, new acoustic treatments, dedicated lines, ampli on the front wall and sources on the side wall, etc etc. All wife approved (that is the hardest thing, you know, because it implies she has to move away a zillion of her things like books, little - unused - objects and shoes).
As for speaker disappearing abilities I have Sonus faber Olympica Nova III (they replaced Dynaudio Evoke 50 and 10) never experienced other models in my room before. My room is probably too small (18 x 12 x 8) too. But I’m very happy when they totally disappear (also the left one I mean). Even if my sweet spot is not as wide as it could/should. I’ll tell you after my new room project is finished, if stars are aligned within a few months.
Another day with sound that shines (even if it’s raining outside) perfectly balanced. And a big smile on my face. I’m playing my reference albums from Qobuz and PST and it’s wonderful when the joy of music let you forget any critical listening to find out imperfections.
Left is left, behind the speaker and right is right as usual. Voices in the center very palpable and realistic. Am I found the sweet spot? The definitive speakers set up?
Just taped the floor to mark all the positions.
Fingers crossed.
It’s always a journey to find the “sweet spot”
For reference, I used the setup as recommended in manual.
However on dealer’s advice hired someone with the necessary knowledge and measuring equipment to determine the best setup in “my” space.
This resulting new position deviated considerably from the recommended initial situation.
This is one of the best (cheap) investments in SQ gain.
