The slightest tweak

Posted by: overprint on 13 September 2017

Thought I'd share how a slight tweak over the weekend has made a lovely difference to the sound I'm hearing - but sure why really. I removed a grandfather clock from the corner of the living room which backed onto the same wall as the speakers (SL2s). Pushed a normal lounge armchair into the corner (cloth not leather) so it now sits 45 degrees across the corner rather than parallel or perpendicular to the walls. No other changes.

Very noticeable difference in bass extension (lower lows and slightly firmer overall) and an obvious improvement in separation of instruments with each more clearly defined in the mix.

Anyone care to suggest why? Was the hollow carcass of the grandfather clock causing interference? Glass face acting as a reflector or is having a soft, armchair in the corner acting as a bass trap? Either way well chuffed with the improvements. My SL2s never cease to amaze me how much I can get from them.

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by Innocent Bystander

The armchair is likely to have sound absorbent characteristics very extending at least somewhat into bass frequencies, depending on its internal construction (i.e acting as a 'bass trap') whereas the grandfather clock's effect would more one of different scattering at high frequencies compared to the bare wall at its top half, and compared to the absorbent chair at its bottom. Also, your other surmise could very well be correct, and the hollow clock could indeed also have been introducing resonances from its panels and internal hollow volume. The described difference is an excellent example of how room treatment can be beneficial - and how sometimes a considerable degree of improvement can be achieved simply by changing the room layout, at zero cost.

Posted on: 13 September 2017 by Huge

Short of measuring the room response, I'd guess that IB is most probably right.