Room Treatment Convert


Over the years I've spent thousands of dollars on various components looking for that 'next step' in my sound system.
One thing I've never done is acoustic room treatment.  My listening room is small (11' X 15" with 8' ceiling).  I listen to vinyl almost exclusively.  My system is a P8 Rega turntable with Apheta 3 cartridge, MA5200 McIntosh integrated with a Stellar phono stage.  Speakers are KEF Reference 1.  My speakers are placed on the short wall with heavy drapes over the window on the right wall and a line of shelfs holding my records completely covering the left wall.

I had obtained a quote for room treatment last year and decided it was too expensive to consider, though I wouldn't hesitate to spend much more on any component in my system if it would improve the sound to my ear.

While talking with a friend last week he suggested I try an experiment.  He said rather than have my spines of my LPs all aligned the same to try pulling small groups of LPs forward in a random manner, staggering them such that the grouping resulted in pockets between the groups.  I did so and put on one of my favorite records and the result was  increased clarity and detail that was nothing short of amazing!  Though my records look silly, I'm now going through LPs as if I have a new collection.  I've not experienced a more profound improvement in any component change I've ever done.  

When I contacted the person who had given me the quote on the room treatments, he said he was not surprised at the change, saying all I had done was broken up the sidewall reflections which reduces some of the conflicting timing information that confuses our brains (and ears).  He said I could expect more profound change once I added their treatments.  Well, I'm now a believer and will be placing my order once I receive money back Uncle Sam borrowed from me last year!
bluespiano

Showing 1 response by brownsfan

bluespiano, quite a few of us can relate to your story.  Most of us started off in love with the equipment, figuring the room is the place where the cool stuff sits.  You got lucky, in a sense, in that a small and insignificant change made a huge difference.  Imagine what is possible if you approach this in a deliberate and informed fashion.  hilde45 is right.  Don't buy too much stuff before getting up to speed on REW.   It is a bit of a pain to learn, but after you catch on, it makes everything so much easier.  In the end, it will save you money and frustration. 

As for HFT type products, they can be useful.  I use them in my downstairs living room system where I don't want a bunch of whacky looking panels.   In my dedicated room, which is well treated with traditional traps and absorption panels, the HFTs don't do a thing.