Given that you tried two different speakers and have two different sources, I would put my bets on something is wrong with the amp or the cables (out of phase, etc). But usually phase or room problems are not this drastic, especially if you listened near field and you have front ported speakers. When is the last time (if at all) you have heard the playback you expected from your amp? Or possibly electrical issue before or after the breaker box?
2 Channel system sounds weak and lackluster
Hi
For starters let me go into my system. I have a 13x11x8 dedicated room (no room treatment at the moment and vinyl floor). Speakers are Focal Aria 936 driven by an Audio Research DSi200. Vinyl is Rega P6 with Exact through Whest TWO.2 phono and CD is PSAudio Perfectwave Transport and DAC. Each component is powered by and interconnected with Audioquest cables.
I have moved the speakers in many different positions and found close to the wall gives them the best sound, but no matter what I do they sound lifeless and have no real impact to the sound. Cranking the volume up helps to some degree but there isn't any intensity to the sound and just leaves me frustrated and wanting more. The speakers are positioned on the 11' wall, though I haven't moved them to the 13' to see if the different angle changes much.
I also changed out the speakers last night with my Wharfedale Denton speakers and they were even more dull and lifeless.
End game for the room is to tear it down to the studs, sound deaden the walls and put carpet in, but other projects are more pressing at the moment. For now I just want to be able to listen to and enjoy my music.
Thanks all
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- 56 posts total
Swapping the new speakers for Wharfedale Dentons clearly made the sound worse. So logic says upgrading the speakers would likely make the sound better. Like @mulveling I am a big fan of single apparent source speakers because they reduce the confusing effects of wall reflections. I'd try some KEF, Fyne or Tannoys |
The first thing I’d do is get some kind of a rug down as that bare floor is definitely not doing you any favors. It might not solve your problem but will almost certainly improve your sound regardless, and it’s at least a start. Is the lack of impact more of a bass thing or is it up above that as well? |
As mentioned this size room can sound great. You could try a corner set up too. I highly recommend consulting Jeff at hdacoustics. He is very good and very reasonable on the price of designing what your room needs. He designed my room and I built it while my speakers were being built. Good luck! Ron |
I would create a 3ft triangle listening space and really listen to what's coming out of the speakers. Play at a low volume and just focus on the level of detail and dynamics. This should minimize the room effects so you can determine whether the sound is lackluster coming out of the speakers. If so, room treatment might not help much. But if it sounds good close up, the room is the problem. |
- 56 posts total