2. tech-talk
  3. 139522-120414

Is the grass greener on the other side?

Hi all,
I'm relatively new to the serious audiophile world for speakers. I've been into audio since I was a kid (getting nice car stereos and headphones etc), but I just recently got my first house so decided to try getting a nice 2.1 system for my living room. I've been blown away by how much more I can enjoy the music as opposed to headphones (even with very nice headphones like my Audezee LCD-3's and Woo amp). But now I have fallen into the trap that many have. I am constantly wondering what I can tweek or change out to make the sound even *better*. So I'd like to solicit thoughts from the community on two questions:

1. How do you deal with the temptation to wonder how much better things could get? 

2. Help feed my addiction ;) What should I *fix* next. (Gear list below)

Source: TIDAL -> Roon
Roon Core: Gaming PC in another room
Roon Endpoint: Surface Book Laptop (tuned to make sure the fan stays off)
Surface is connected via Transparent USB Performance cable to Anthem STR Integrated (my newest toy)
Anthem STR is running ARC
I use Transparent Wave Speaker Cable to connect from the STR to my B&W 704 S2's
I use the Tuneful Audio Cables for jumping between the two posts on the P&W's instead of the brackets they provide.
For power I use a APC H10 and connect everything to it. 
Ag insider logo xs@2xmattlathrop

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
OP:  Go visit their web site. Their help is pretty comprehensive and experienced. I believe they even have a free 3D room designer/simulator now.

Your alternative is of course to hire a professional acoustician and if you can afford it, I highly recommend you do so. 
If you think about the scale we are on, from "I read crap on the internet" to "Professional acoustician" the service GIK provides online is a lot closer to the latter than the former.

Best,
E
erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
OP:

Absolutely. Room correction always works better with room treatment. Especially when it comes to bass nodes. 

With room treatment that is effective below 120 Hz, you can de-energize peaks and valleys enough to really improve both.

Having said this, it IS possible to add too much or the wrong kind of room treatment, so getting expert help can make a difference.
Best,
E
erik_squires
15,662 posts
 
Room acoustics. Talk to GIK.

That makes everything better, and your room more speaker friendly.

My experience is that if you get good room treatment you may change everything else, but the room acoustics will stay. I have 5 panels plus two bass traps that move with me to every new apartment.
More to discover