Is it possible that the mode switch in the crossover is in the 3-way position instead of the 2-way position?
Help! Advice and Recommendations please (system sounds bad)
Good day everyone,
I am at the end of my wits. After being without my rig for 11 months due to a move, I am trying to dial in my system with horrible results at the new home.
I feel it goes beyond room differences and speaker placement.
Everything is identical (except the sound).
I would love a recommendation for someone in the CHICAGOLAND AREA that would be a good fit to tune my system.
In the meantime, I humbly ask the the group for any opinions on things to try. I am hoping that one of the settings is just wrong on the plate amps or the crossover, but I have experimented with all I can think of. I hope it is my ignorance on something obvious.
The mids seem muddled. Not rich. I am getting some perceived distortion and harshness when the mids peak. When the music is displaying a strong full spectrum I lose a lot of detail and separation.
The soundstage seems to lack depth. The speakers do not disappear as much.
It feels as though something is not being very efficient. Please note that the mid and low dials on the crossover, at my previous home, was turned to about 2:00-3:00. Now it is closer to 11:00. I had to turn it down otherwise the problems with the mids were worse.
I have the high gain setting selected on my DAC. Low seemed incredibly dull. I am utilizing the mid/high and sub inputs on the crossover.
I have included pics of the setting and room. Thank you in advance for any help. It is greatly appreciated.
Equipment:
I know you have access to all the audiophile publications, reviews , and best practices, owners manuals, and such. I have the following two-channel system:
Conrad Johnson Art Mono block amps
Conrad Johnson Act 2 series 2 pre-amp
Magnepan 3.7i speakers
Lampizator DAC
SublimeAcoustic K231 3 Way Active Crossover
2 GR Research 3x12 subwoofer towers powered by a rythmik A370PEQ plate amp.
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- 28 posts total
Impressive system. Should be wowing you regularly. What are your cables? Based on what you've spent so far I'm sure they are also top notch. But they can be a "choke point" as it were, especially in a system like yours, even if they're good but are a mis-match. Still, something isn't right. I get room issues. I live with room issues. But even my system, which is way below yours, delivers clear and lively mids and lower mids, good separation and is very engaging musically. I'm thinking maybe your crossover is set way too high. I'd try turning the subs off all together. Does some of that airyness your looking for show up? If so, then listen without the subs for few days until your ears become accustomed to the sound and then ease the subs back in until they just barely touch the lower mids. Listen for a while to again let your ears become accustomed before adding more. The only other problem I could think is there is a hardware issue. It'd be in either your pre-amp or crossover. A tube that works but is actually failing, a weak cap or leaky diode somewhere. Devilish to track down. Maybe test with the crossover removed? Can you swap in a different pre just to see what happens? Even with a lousy listening space, your system should be singing. Something's not right. |
No one has mentioned the dropped down ceiling. From my recollection dropped ceiling’s have a bad reputation for audio, way too absorptive. They are likely more effective at reducing sound transfer between floors or reducing room noise for things like a pool table or other noise making activities within that space. Also from your photos it appears the ceiling is a bit lower than your previous room. Installing a drywall ceiling would likely be a major improvement. Are you using the same listening chair? Seating height can also alter your perception of the soundstage. |
Just like the old Stoic philosophical thought "No man can step in the same river twice". Either the river or the man or both have changed. Such is your dilemma. And as the "ragin' cajin' said "It's the economy stupid!". Not calling anyone stupid. I'd bet you know your beautiful system very well and you have not changed that much. So barring any crazy setting mishaps or malfunctions the elephant in the the room is the room! Would have been nice to have an acoustic picture (REW) of the prior room to compare to the new one. OK so I would start there, getting the software and the mic and literally see what you got. I'm with @baylinor on this. Regards, barts
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- 28 posts total

