Most useful tweaks that are sensible and really make a noticeable improvement


So after reading the thread of useless tweaks I'd  be interested the communities opinions of useful tweaks. I may be rehashing a previous thread but times change as do useful tweaks.

I have found that in my case the following were useful, immediate and audible,
In order of priority in my opinion
1 Room treatment
2 Speaker location, ie proper setup
3 Subwoofer location (if used)
4 Subwoofer integration
5 Component isolation
6 Cables, all SC/IC etc, normally I would not mention cables but did have an ear opening epiphany that makes me believe cables are system dependant and I do not mean directionality.

So if anybody has anything to add, please do so as none of us are ever too old to learn.



128x128gillatgh

Showing 15 responses by gillatgh

@geoffkait ,  you just saturate me with you remarkable humor and wisdom. I just ordered a cryo tank to just try on all my components and media. You think a cryo'd gong will sound better?

Actually you just crack me up.

Seems to me actual real tweaks really are those that make sense. 
Number 1 per responses is speaker location within the room...........for now
Nice stuff! Geoff, dude I tried your tweak but was bowled over, watered down sound from my superbowl system. Broke the center bowl while doing the alignment. One good thing, I did mop the floor it needed it.
As a great tweak for those who still use an aged HT processor but an newer media player use the players DAC instead of the processors if possible. Simply use the analog outs (if available) connected to analog in on processor and set processors configuration to analog bypass. It's an almost free tweak 
Nice comments and suggestions, in particular the suggestion of dynamat on baskets. I had forgotten that one. I'd think it would also be useful on equipment covers (inside) I did the dynamat on a set of speakers I rebuild and there was in fact an immediate audible improvement in those speakers. 
I'll be doing dynamat on my covers soon.
Good stuff commentators! 
@geoffkait & the carpaithian, sweet, so glad Y'all play so nicely. It don't get better than that.
Now get back on subject.
With all due respect, Geoffkait do you ever sleep? Broke thru to the other side eons ago. Thankfully found my way back. Senseless tweaks are snakeoil designed to part the gullible from their available funds. A fool and his money..........! 
Now that's not to say that an unconventional tweak could not be worthwhile.  Let's take Geoffkait springs, unconventional yes but a possible sensible tweak. Would I buy before try.......no but with a 3 month money back, no question asked return policy sure why not.
I would even buy at a sensible cost which his springs are not.
Tweaks must make sense.
Ps. Did you know rubbing bacon grease on your cable ends or connectors will eliminate any sibilance in all applications?
Ahh yes a new possibility,  never thought to give that a go. Wonder if it'll sound as good as it tastes.
Have to wait till tomorrow as I already disposed of the bacon and the grease for today.
I think I'll market the excess grease to audiophiles. I'll be rich and able to upgrade then. Maybe modify the formula to purified bacon grease.
@geoffkait, I somehow fail to see the benefit of placing anything between points of contact such as graphene contact enhancer. In my simple mind a direct touch between contact points logically would provide the best contact. One would not place a graphene impregnated piece of material between contact points.
I do however agree with some of your other assertions. 
So who wants to pair up and try either the Furutech or the Graphene product? For S&G I'd be willing to try, sharing the cost of course. Although the principles sound (pun intended) reasonable the proof is not yet apparent. 
@geoffkait,  send me some leftover graphene contact enhancer and I'll try it on my speaker cable ends and do a side by side comparison.  If it really does make an audible difference I'll return the favor by sending you the sampler from Mad Scientist Audio and go on this forum and eat crow and spit feathers.
The Furutech is a little rich for experimentation at over a 100 clams, no sampler available there.
Sceptic but willing to try.
Although the last few posts have been humorous and entertaining they really are outside the useful part of the original posts.
Please try to stay with the intent of the OP which is useful improvement. 
Geoffkait has identified some potential useful tweaks it's up to the reader to accept or not them to be valid. I for one appreciate geoffkait's input to the discussion.  The one I will try is the contact enhancer as it is logical and already used in some form in automotive applications, i.e dielectric grease as a moisture barrier. 
Let's put some real and tried useful tweaks out there for the readers and who knows you might be a star audiophile. When I get some of the contact enhancer I will post my results for sure either debunking or endorsing Geoff assertion.
@glupson, Adding their opinion about what they perceive as some kind of a practical joke has certain value, too.

Absolutely! 
Dynaquest I completely agree with your assessment of geoffkait tweaks in the most part. It's difficult to tell when he's serious about a tweak or just throwing crap against the wall to see what sticks.
Kinda like his panties when they wad. Sure hope they don't fall on his sandwich. 
In any case Geoff is entertaining. 
Batmobile, I do wonder if he really believes all the wondrous fatasies (or are they) but like legends there is usually some fact behind the tale. I'll try the TC and it will be either an improvement or snakeoil. 
@dynaquest,
It IS all about the music! First and foremost.  Without the music who needs the equipment? 
You're absolutely correct. 
@mads1, I completely agree and I myself use these under most of my equipment.  I must say that at $19.99 you're paying too much for 4ea. They are available for $27.99 for a box of 48. Search for AV mounting pads.