I’ve been experimenting with diffusion since @brett66 introduced me to these cheap BXI diffusers.
The left and right depth have balanced and opened up substantially. I tried them behind my MLP, which is a wall a few inches away and it also pushed that wall back much further. They’re all 2D QRD. A 1D QRD in the front center does all kinds of bad to the center image, so I’m going to try a set to left and right of center to see if I can push the center depth further.
I removed a pair of SR Sigma NRs from the main system and restored the Pangea AC9 SEs. The Sigmas sucked out midtone harmonics and thinned the sound too much. A 20A Inakustik 4004 PC now runs to the P20 and another 15A Inakustik 4004 runs to the DAC. I’m considering adding more to the preamp and monoblocks. I moved the Sigmas to the Holo May/MastersounD/hORNS system formerly running Anticables Level 3 in the MBR and on first listen, they work much better there.
After a lengthy trial, the Stenheims and RELs now sit on Townshend Seismic isolation – Podiums for the speaker and Bars for the subs. The isolators removed room resonances that smothered the soundstage resulting in a completely liberated sound – massive soundstage and extremely well controlled low end. Mid tones are also clearer.
There’s a Mutec MC-3 reclocking the optical signal from the TV. A Bluejean RCA coax cable runs to the DAC. Spotify through an Apple TV sounds remarkably good considering it’s path and format constrained.
I’m debating moving the subwoofers to the middle of the room to make the left and right sides available for sturdier equipment racks. I am concerned what that would do to the soundstage. Does anyone have experience running subs in center vs. sides?
Wondering about buying two of each and placing them at some appropriate place in the front wall behind the speakers, in a kitty corner configuration; i.e., a 2D atop a 1D and a 1D atop a 2D.
Based on your experience do you think it would be better to just buy four 2Ds?
I think it all depends on the bass cancellation and amplification (where the waves reinforce each other or not) in a given space.
My best results have always been some variation of side wall placement about a third into the room (from the front wall). But I am sure that is more function of the room shapes and sizes with my two systems then some sort of rule of thumb.
You’ve really got to experiment. At first I thought the 2D were too diffuse for the center front and tried the 1D. It turns out the front center is the worst place to put a narrow vertical diffusion for me.
It makes me wonder how systems that have those nice 2D skyscraper smack in the middle sound. Maybe I need a wider panel to even out the diffusion across the stage.
I know my dealer in Austin, Ne Plus Ultra, has a few new and second hand dcs network bridges. I think Paragon in Michigan has some in stock and seem to let you buy online for that component. Also try quintessence audio in Chicago.
I have a total of 8 2D and 2 1D with another 2 1D coming in to complete the front set; two on left and two on right – that’s still experimental.
Placement really depends on the room and listening. The changes are very noticeable. My goal has been to balance reflection energy and staging in a small circle around my MLP. So far that’s four on the right, two on the left and two in the back.
I also added a thick velvet curtain in the doorway which completely blocked a reverb I was getting from the hallway. I often leave the door open so heat can exhaust.
I own the dCS Rossini (and master clock) which I love. I did have a demo of the network bridge which sounded good but, not surprisingly, the Rossini is in a different league…
and price bracket!
If you can get hold of a network bridge, I don’t think that you’ll be disappointed with its performance.
I’m ordering my new Buchardt S300 bookshelf speakers on Wednesday as soon as I’m awake.
I know it sounds rediculous but I’ve been so overly excited about this since about wednesday last week that I’ve only been sleeping about 4 hours a night.
I decided my subs were coloring the sound from my Wilson Yvettes, so I have unplugged them. I did like the subs presence but the coloration of the Yvettes bugged me. Its been 3 weeks, I may not turn them back on. The Yvettes are rated down to 20Hz. I will eventually turn the subs on again for a final decision.
I would love to hear your impressions.
On my Sasha W/P’s I find that Wilson’s rating for low frequency is optimistic when I’ve tested with test discs. So far, the way I’ve dialed them in, there’s little colouration. I’ve used JLAudio’ recommended starting points and I’m satisfied with them.
In other news I pushed aside the Vivid Spirits and hooked up the Wilson Yvettes to demonstrate them to their new owner. Holy ship did they ever sound good! They were all like “hey Vivid, top this!” . My guru said they weren’t worthy of my new gear. He is wrong, plain and simple. The are marvelous.
Pushed them out of the way and returned the Vivids now hooked up with two pairs of Stealth Audio speaker cables. Gollum Gollum. Yes my precious!!! Gollum!
