Novum Resonator Alternative


Hi Members,
In the last few years since it has appeared on the marketplace, I have been really curious about this device. Some of you may not know it by name, but it is the bronze circular device that looks a lot like a cymbal used for drums, but with a deeper profile, and an integrated brass stand.
For the average audiophile, the price is prohibitive at around $2,200.00. Based on professional reviews, and comments by actual users, I felt convinced that for whatever reasons, this device worked. For myself, it was out of the question to even consider purchasing one as it is far beyond my budget.
I want to say right here before going on that I am certain the whoever designed this device put time and thought into the size, material and profile in order to produce the desired effect/improvement.
Still, after a couple of years, it occurred to me one day that there was no harm in trying one of several types and sizes of actual drum cymbals that I have to see if they had an effect that was positive. Based on past tweaking experience, I really didn't have any doubt that there would be a sonic difference, it was more a question of good, bad or indifferent.
I am not posting this really as a review, and I have the feeling that there are likely to be hundreds of others who have already tried this. I am really just suggesting that if you are, like me, curious about the effect, you could experiment with borrowed cymbals or ones that you own, and see for yourself what you think.
In my case, I used a wooden fold-out stand that you would use to display a decorative plate, and after experimentation with a medium weight 16" crash cymbal, as well as a heavier hi-hat cymbal, I settled on the crash.
I will say that I started using it three days ago, and for me, that is not enough time for thorough analysis, but I am pleased with the effect thus far, and am leaving it where it is.
My point here is really to see if others have tried it, and if not, to encourage you to do so and reach your own conclusions. Again, in my view, it's a poor man's substitute, and if I could afford the real thing I would, but with that said, I am surprised and happy with the result in my system thus far.
128x128roxy54

Showing 3 responses by theaudiotweak

I agree with both of you.. it is a sound director and an acoustic resonator. While the front side is directive the back side is reflective so positioning to the rear wall is important.

Like Roxy I wondered if this unit could be mimicked in some way with a cymbal many of them being a similar strain of bronze. The Novum does appear to have greater mass and therefore greater energy storage than your typical cymbal. Using a cymbal would give a useful sense of direction and possibility.

What I have done in the past and again just in the last few days is to add Audio Points and even brass coupling discs to 1 or more room surfaces in my listening room.

My room is 27-21.5-9 ft. and you would not think that the acoustic weight or influence of a single brass 1.5 wide body Audio Point would make any difference but it did and does. With my usual audio crew on board I threaded one to a wall panel that placed the point tip a couple of inches above the acoustic center of the tweeter with the tip actually pointed down at the carpeted floor.

The result of this add on was a more direct and focused stage and a sensation that there is less lobing affects from my 1st order crossover. There was a consensus of more acoustic air and a change in the bass that is apparent but hard to describe.

I then went to similar panels on the side walls and added brass but of greater mass and a different shape than the one on the front wall. All of these were at the same height. These additional shapes and mass widened the stage and placed more air overhead. More than real for sure.

I then placed at the back wall one on each of the 2 panels a 2.5 inch coupling disc laying flat atop the frame . If you were 7 ft tall you could see where these were located. These 2 seemed to stretch the sound from front to back creating a multi channel surround effect from my 2 chn system. May use these when watching a movie on a recessed projection screen.

At this point (pun intended) I will keep the single point up front.

I have threaded brass inserts placed into the drywall ceiling out just slightly from the corner molding. In the past I have tried other geometric shapes of various mass and locked into these positions, these also made a difference..Again who would think something so small in an area so large would make a noticeable change.

I also have a few that are designed to increase the volumetric speed and direction of the air flow. With a slight change in the direction face of the aperture you can steer upper frequencies where ever you like or dislike. These can be pretty damn bold and will take careful placement and adjustment before becoming a permanent part of my system.

The point is that all these shapes and masses make for a change in audible and visual perception, in this case they were all immediate. Too much of a good thing even these small things can become a bad thing..but this gives me a basis to move forward with additional shapes and placement strategies. Tom. Star Sound Technologies
Roxy

Looking at your thread 18 hours later it seems as if I barged in. Sorry about that intrusion.

What you have started here is very interesting and your methods and observations should be shared. I for one am not a user of damping materials and I am always looking for acoustic energy reuse redirection and conservation methods in my listening area.

I would like to know if there was a change in sound and what affect there was when you reversed the the top for the bottom of the cymbal as the focal point would have been changed? Also would you consider hanging other cymbals from the ceiling in the corners as these would make for a considerable change in both diffusion and direction of the sound field. It maybe that more is not better overall but the fact that the sound field can be bent and adjusted is a valid use for such devices and their placements versus the more usual overkill. The learning process and observation may prove of value.

I have found that the placement angle of devices in the corners is also very apparent. A variation of a few degrees changes the whole perception and placement of instruments within the recording. Tom
Roxy

You could try bolting together a pair of Hi Hat cymbals and hear what happens with this higher mass combo. The pair maybe more similar in weight to the Novum resonator. If they rattle when joined you could place some felt dots between the 2 when screwed together or better yet couple them with a few .2AP.7D's in between. Tom