Synergistic Research HFT + FEQ


I heard this tweak at RMAF and brought it home on a 30-day free trial. Unfortunately it turned out to be a real system killer. I had 20 of the HFTs and tried them with and without the FEQ, using a ladder to put them up and take them down repeatedly. I couldn't believe how awful it was. Made it hard to enjoy my otherwise excellent ~$45k system.

I had a similar experience with their Quantum fuse. Never did trust anything with "Quantum" in the title. HiFi Tuning Supreme fuses, on the other hand, made my amps sound significantly better.
128x128augwest

Showing 14 responses by davidpritchard

Yes, even 5 HRT units will improve the sound. As more units are placed the sound becomes more detailed but with less fatigue and with a much more satisfying sound stage. Most rooms are optimized with 20 to 25 units. The Frequency Equalizer (FEQ) significantly lowers floor noise and improves detail through the audible spectrum.

I continue to be very satisfied with how both products have improved the sound in my two listening areas. One is audio only and the other is home theater.
In the above post Glory mentioned "the Energizers". These are the IPC Acoustic Energizers. They received a glowing review in Stereo Times this year. I in fact bought the five Acoustic Energizers that Glory previously owned. They emit some type of elctromagnetic energy and not a type of acoustic sound wave.

The combination of the Synergistic Research HRT's + Frequency Energizers and the IPC Energizers is truly amazing. Each company's product compliments the beneficial effects of the other. The SR product ties in the room's acoustic signature to the acoustic signature on the recording. Also there is a marked decrease in audible noise when the ground plane feature of the Frequency Equalizer is turned on.

The IPC Energizers work on different aspects of music listening. In place and turned on the music seems to flow further into the room but the soundstage depth also deepens.

After having both systems in place and either turning them off or removing them from the room, I have a good feel for what they do. The effect is quite magical. Recording after recording is greatly improved. It does not have an artificial "enhancement" feel to it.

I hope Glory will avail himself to try the Synergistic Research HRT's+ Frequency Equalizer. Looking at his system set up, I think he will be pleased. We have several things in common. Glory's room looks like it is not the traditional rectangle. My listening area is part of an open "L" shaped floor plan.
Especially for non-symetric rooms, the Synergistic Research HFT+ Frequency Equalizer can be a major system improvement. Where I do not have walls to put the HRT's where recommended: I made stands using Home Depot 1x2 by 8 foot pieces of wood attached to a wooden base using right angle brackets. These HRt's were especially helpful in restoring some room symmetry. This improved all aspects of the stereo image.

With the 30 day trial there is plenty of time to try the system and see it's effect.
I have two different rooms treated with the Synergistic Research HFT (High Frequency Tuning System). With one pack of 5 tuning bullets you will hear a change in soundstage. The system really begins to shine with 15 HFT bullets in place (three boxes) and then becomes spectacular when 25 HFT bullets (five Boxes) are in place. The Synergistic Research installation video is quite helpful. It only takes a few minutes to install 25 of the bullets as they attach to the wall with included Blu Tac reusable adhesive.

With the 30 day money back guarantee I hope people who try this system will go ahead and make their initial trial 15 to 25 HFT bullets ( three to five boxes). As you put up each group of 5 HFT's you will hear the soundstage expand and then become increasingly more rich and detailed.

I found the Synergistic Research HFT + Feq system to be my upgrade of the year. Why? The marked improvement of course but even more so. Unlike the laborious trial of trying and breaking in new cables etc., the HFT's are easy to install, the sound change is immediate, and they can be returned if you do not like them. Finally in this moble changing society, they can be moved from room to room or a new city with no damage to the walls.

I will not be without them.
Ozzy, Glad you had a set of MIG's to put the FEQ on (all three MIGs pointing in the up position). Also the grounding plug should be directly into the wall if possible and not into a power strip, etc.

To me the FEQ unit seemed more "powerful" after three days of being on. No explanation of why it should happen. Will be interesting if you get the same impression.

Have a fun weekend of listening.
Ozzy

Two sets of HFT's mainly demonstrate that they have an effect. Like you I have a QOL unit in my listening room. I sincerely hope you will order three additional boxes to really tune your room acoustics. With two sets (10 of the little bullets) of HFT's my soundstage changed but lacked focus. AS I put in the next three sets of HFT's I heard a real change for the better. As you have heard, the locations suggested in the instructions are only starting points. With additional HRT's in place you might move the units up or down from where they are now.

I am finding the combination of the HFT's + FEQ unit with the BSG Technologies QOL unit to be sonic bliss.
Knghi: With the open wall, the HFT's can still be utilized. It is easy to make a stand for a HFT. I went to Home Depoit and made a stand using the following: 1"x2"x6 foot board mounted to a 11"x9" wood base. I used 4 L shaped brackets to attach the vertical board to the base. Cost less than $10.00.

On placing the HFT's on speakers, put a trial dab of the HFT's Bluetac on the back of the speaker and then remove. This way you can test to make sure no problems to the finish of the speakers.

With your large lively room the Synergistic Research FEQ Unit will be a big help. It will tighten up the base and lower the floor noise of the room allowing you to hear more of the music.

I look forward to your observations.
Ozzy,

Counted up the number of HFT's on the walls and ceiling and the count was 15. In my system the additional 8 on the speakers and 2 on the SACD player was beneficial but not critical. It sound like your room is "dialed" in. I would consider sending the two sets of HRT's back and auditioning the FEQ Unit(High Frequency Equalizer Unit). This will tightened up the bass and lower the floor noise. I very much like the combination of the HFT's and the FEQ. By doing different things they are quite complimentary in their effect.
Your experience matches mine in that with moving the HFT bullets to the optimal location the sound suddenly becomes focused and much more enjoyable. The FEQ does sound better plugged directly into the wall and not to the Power Plant 10 (at least the ground plane plug directly into the wall). I would try the sub woofer circuit first. My FEQ is midway between the speakers, 18 inches from the front wall and sits on the sub. Yes it works better with 3 MIG footers than 3 Herbie ISocup footers which sound better than nothing. Sounds good in 15 minutes and even better after being on for three days. Then think about fine tunning the two HFTs that are near the floor and midline- the front wall and rear wall locations.

I think you will be pleased with sound.
The wonderfull fact about the HFT - FEQ units is they are complimentary and yet have nice effects on their own.
The FEQ Unit works on lower frequencies than the HFT's. The music becomes more full and balanced. Also and quite important is the it's effect of lowering the floor noise. Less congestion when multiple instruments are playing.

Adding the IPC units "moves" the music more into the room. I am over the top happy with the interaction of the HFT + FEQ units and the IPC Acoustic Energizers

The QOL unit adds musical information to the speakers.

The Acoustic Revive77 (Schuman Resonator) works well and there is a sense of "loss" when I turn it off.

So in my system I am not hearing an over processed sound. Instead I am hearing full glorious music.
Synergistic Research XOT's have been ordered and are on the way. Should be here Thursday. Since my speakers are biwired I ordered two sets. I will try a set on the mid-high terminals, a set on the low terminals, and then sets on both terminals at the same time.

Should be fun and educational.
At the RMAF I was told not to plug the FEQ into a Transporter. Indeed the FEQ will sound better with the ground plug going directly into a wall socket. Also the FEQ responds to being placed on footers. My experience is MIG footers are better than Herbie Isocups which are better than nothing. My FEQ unit is midway between the speakers, about a foot out from the wall. To my ears the FEQ immediately sounds good and gets better after being left on for three days.

Hopefully the Synergistic Research XOTs arrive today. Has any one noticed a change over time with the XOT's?
I have the XOT's- two sets as the horns are biwired. They effect a major change in stage with and depth. I do not hear a shift in frequency. Bass is tighter. Space between instruments does not feel as "dense". I only have 6 hours on them. I certainly heard one or two break in changes almost like an audio degaussing. Will let the system play overnight. If you have the dual speaker leads (which accept both spades and banana plugs) the XOT banana plug version sure is easy to put in and take out for evaluations.

The XOT build quality is excellent. The effect is much greater and on more aspects of the sound than the Walker product.

Not finished the evaluation but the effect the XOT's have on a system should make most serious audiophiles try them on their own system. Postage is maybe $10.00 each way.

Putting them in your system is makes you think how and why you like what you hear.

Ozzy, how many Audio Magic PEA's are you using and where?
I am using five IPC Acoustic Energizers. One behind each speaker, one at each end of the listening couch, and one directly behind where I sit.
If one is not a DIY person, I do hope you will consider trialing the Synergistic family of room treatments. I am extremely happy with the sonic improvement to my listening room. I use the HFT's on the walls and ceiling, and on the speakers. I was just at the LA Audio Show and the sound from their room was outstanding!
I do think rooms need acoustic tuning and the Synergistic Research approach have been much more positive than the old approach of damping and diffusion. In addition my living room does not look like a sterile recording studio.

David Pritchard