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Does a non-audiophile have to calibrate?

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I was at an audiophile store for the first time in my life not too long ago and heard the most amazing and beautiful music I ever heard in my life. I watched bits of few different movies that were just breath taking. The conversations sounded like they were in the room. At one point someone in the movie called a character with the same name and I turned around thinking the sales guy must have called me.

So I bought me a system:
Sonus Faber Cremona (Mains)
Sonus Faber Cremona Center
Sonus Faber Cremona Subwoofer
Sonus Faber Concerto (Surrounds)
NBS Serpent III Speaker cables and interconnects
NBS Omega IV digital cable
Krell Showcase Processor
Krell Showcase 5.1 AMP & NBS Omega II power cord
Marantz DV8400 Universal Player
Marantz VP-12S2 projector
V Inc. Bravo D1 DVD Player
VOOM HDTV receiver
Monster HTS 5100 Power Conditioner
76' Stewart StudioTek 130 ceiling recessed w/masking system

I just hooked it up and it sounds good. Now people are telling me I have to calibrate. Would a non-audiophile appreciate a calibration or only a trained audiophile ear can appreciate the difference. I went to HAA’s site and still do not understand why. The site said my system would lack clarity and was very vague and using audiophile words like tonal balance, checking for voice matching, frequency response, room resonance, ambiance effects, and standing waves.

How does this translate in to English? What am hearing wrong? What is not clear? I am not an audiophile, and it sounds fine. I have no problem hiring a calibrator; I just want to understand why.

Perhaps my room dictates a calibration? My room size is 19'L x 11'2"W x 8'H. It is also a library. It’s all filled with books. There are also artistic cabinets built in to the shelves so there is a lot of exposed wood. I have a bench bay window in front of my room, behind the speakers. Inside the room is a love seat and a recliner and a gas fire place that is 4’H x 2’D x 5’L.

Please help me understand,
Cap
captaincapitalism

Showing 4 responses by gmood1

gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Wow looks like you jumped right in Cap ! If not an audiophile ..you will be one soon enough! It takes time and a lot of listening to tune your ears. It's just something that will come in time.You can start with a sound pressure meter and run your speakers thru the test tones. 75 db is a good place to start. From your listening position get all your speakers to peak at 75 db on the meter one at a time. You will have to go into your processor and make the proper adjustments.It probably has a input for footage also..so you can measure where you sit from each speaker and it will calibrate itself for time delays.

The most important thing to remeber.. is if it sounds good to you then it is all good!!

Happy listening!
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Nothing wrong with Monster power centers...if it's not that important to you why bother? You clearly don't have the time or drive to want to deal with the stuff.

That is the difference between an audiophile and someone just looking for some good tunes. This hobby isn't for everyone ..once they find it takes more than dropping thousands on some gear that got good reviews...The party is over. So to answer your question bluntly. No don't bother wasting any more time or money and enjoy it like it is.

You could have saved yourself some time and money and picked up a Bose all in one system. Not being sarcastic just honest.

Happy Listening!
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
One easy way I get non audiophiles to understand this stuff is by sitting them down in the sweet spot(two channel music of course). Having them close their eyes. Put on a well recorded cd with good spacial information..something with several singers or musicians spread across the soundstage. Then I ask them to point out to me where they hear these singers or instruments , one at a time.

The ones that didn't understand ..normally do after this little test.And the look on their faces are hilarious!
This is only the tip of the iceberg but it does open the door to understanding this hobby.
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Sorry my friend I mean no harm. I didn't want to candy coat the situation.I am sure there are others that are thinking the same thing..but aren't going to say it.

I hope you truly enjoy your system and will grow to appreciate it even more in time.
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