The ultimate upgrade?

Posted by: Steve G on 08 December 2001

Today I upgraded the sound from my system in a very big way. Normally it lives in my study, sharing the 12’ x 8’ space with a PC, various musical instruments (synthesizer, guitar, violin), loads of storage (including about 1000-1500 CDs and a couple of hundred records) and a futon. Needless to say this isn’t the place environment for largish speakers to sing their best.

As SWMBO was out for much of the day I stripped the home cinema system out of our 24’ x 12’ lounge and moved my main system in, just to see how it performed. Well all I can say is that the improvement was not subtle! The speakers were setup perhaps 8-9’ apart in the centre and about 9” out from one of the long walls (I’d have rather had them firing along the room but that would have required major moving of furniture). The listening position was on a comfy sofa – also an improvement on my usual Ikea futon (a Krapi I think!) - near the wall directly opposite the speakers. The electronics were on a rack on the same side of the room as the speakers and perhaps 3’ or 4’ away. The rack is a 4 tier Stands Unique wood and glass unit which I don’t particularly like from a sound point of view by SWMBO likes ‘cause it looks good.

Initial electronics used were CD3.5/92R/90.3 (the amps being from my home cinema system) with Credos. Chord Solid was used between the CD and pre, a grey SNAIC between the pre and power and NACA5 to the speakers. Music included Massive Attack’s, Sinead Lohan recording, U2’s, Eminem, Keb’ Mo, Rebecca Pidgeon and Bruce Springsteen. At low to medium volume levels the system sounded very nice but once the volume was cranked up (and particularly with Massive Attack’s “Protection”) bass control was lost and the treble hardened up in an unpleasant fashion.

To combat this the 90.3 was removed and replaced with a SNAPS & 140. The improvement in sound quality was immediate with the system now listenable right up to “way too loud”, barring some incidences of the bass bouncing things around in the room! Bass control was significantly improved and the treble sweeter and clearer and without the rather nasty sibilance and smearing that the 90.3 was causing at high volumes.

For A/V a TV was placed between the speakers and a Sky digi-box hooked in with a length of Chord Cobra. Conveniently and episode of Star Trek: Next Generation was playing and despite only stereo being used all the background ship sounds which so add to the atmosphere could be heard. Nice, and certainly a lot more enjoyable than my Kenwood surround amp has been of late.

Next up a Pioneer DVD-535 was introduced and Snatch spun. Lovely clear vocals, great music reproduction and lots of atmosphere. After watching a bit of that I moved onto the Crow and it’s here that testing stalled as, despite being very familiar with the film, I ended up watching it to the end!

A discussion is now underway with SWMBO to permanently re-configure the room in this way but the main stumbling block is TV position. Until I win the argument the system is now back constrained by my little study but some day it will return…

Does anyone in Scotland know a good architect as I’m considering having an extension built over my garage purely as one big room for hi-fi and home cinema use, with a projector etc. Now that would be an upgrade…

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 08 December 2001 by count.d

SWMBO

Are you man or mouse?

Posted on: 09 December 2001 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by count.d:
SWMBO
Are you man or mouse?

I take it you're not married then?

Regards
Steve

Posted on: 09 December 2001 by Mike Sae

quote:
very small or very big (if well furnished) seem to work well. It's the medium size rooms that seem to engender bass control problems.

Excellent oservation! After thinking about all the rooms i've experienced, it's totally true.

Posted on: 09 December 2001 by Top Cat

Steve, there are many decent architects - I can recommend a couple if you are interested, Edinburgh based (although I've never used them, so it's on a personal - rather than experience -recommendation basis)

TC '..'
"Girl, you thought he was a man, but he was a Muffin..."

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by Peter Stockwell

Steve,

Do you kave KWMBOs also ? Otherwise have you thought of downsizing the TV rig and putting it in the study ?

That's the config we have at our place, main rig in the lounge, TV rig in with the computer.

Peter

Posted on: 10 December 2001 by Steve G

quote:
Originally posted by Peter Stockwell:
Steve,
Do you kave KWMBOs also ? Otherwise have you thought of downsizing the TV rig and putting it in the study ?
That's the config we have at our place, main rig in the lounge, TV rig in with the computer.
Peter

I've got two kids. Although they both have a tv, video and playstation for their own rooms currently the only rooms in the house with satellite tv are the lounge and our bedroom. Given they like a lot of the stuff on Discovery (as well as cartoons etc) they still watch tv a fair bit in the lounge.

When we moved into the house I tried to persuade SWMBO that a ceiling mounted retractable projector and screen were the ideal compromise. Hidden when not in use, big and exciting when required. Unfortunately she didn't go for it but it's an argument I might re-open.

Regards
Steve