What does it mean?

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woodsyi

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What does it mean?
« on: 26 Oct 2004, 05:08 pm »
When you put your fingers together, put your hands behind your ears and focus in on the speakers (blocking out the sounds from side and behind), you hear fuller and more detailed music?  

Should I treat my room or wear "sound blinders" around my head like the (optical?) ones for the poor horses pulling carriages in NYC?

All kidding aside, would a room pack from 8th Nerve be a good start?  Should I wait until their new product becomes available?  Or, since I have panelled room, should I replace the wooden panels with compressed fiberboard?  there is already fiberglass insulation packed between the panels and the cinderblock wall.

markC

What does it mean?
« Reply #1 on: 27 Oct 2004, 01:03 am »
Could your imaging be off? Speaker placement sounds like it could be out of whack. It will always sound different with your hands behind your ears, but it shouldn't sound better.

John Casler

Re: What does it mean?
« Reply #2 on: 27 Oct 2004, 02:05 am »
Quote from: woodsyi
When you put your fingers together, put your hands behind your ears and focus in on the speakers (blocking out the sounds from side and behind), you hear fuller and more detailed music?  

Should I treat my room or wear "sound blinders" around my head like the (optical?) ones for the poor horses pulling carriages in NYC?

All kidding aside, would a room pack from 8th Nerve be a good start?  Should I wait until their new product becomes available?  Or, since I have panelled room, should I replace the woo ...


Hi Woodsyi,

You actually don't have to treat "anything" unless you don't like the sound of what you are hearing without putting your hands up to your ears.

It is called "cupping" and is used quite commonly when seriously evaluating components, to see if they are producing specific HF info that might be "above" our hearing abilties.

First, the "increased clairity" is not so much caused by the blocking of reflected sound, as much as it is caused by the hands making you "pinna" larger :lol:  :lol:  :lol:  :lol:

No.... not that  :oops:  





The Pinna is the external ear (the part that sticks out on the side of your head.  It is a "sonic collector" and "director" it captures and channels sound as it comes to you.  The sound pressure variations are directed to the ear drum where they cause the membrane to vibrate and signals are interpreted through a complex system of tiny bones, a fluid filled resevoir, that has tiny stones (stones of otolith) supended in it, that stimulate cilia, that are directly connected to the auditory nerves and send a signal to the brain which tells you what you're hearing.

Increasing the size of the "external ear" will increase it's collective capacity and increase the stimulation you ultimatly realize.

Most affected will be the high frequencies if they are present in the sound coming at you.

There "have" been devices marketed (every once in a while people joke about them) that are worn, much like a pair of ear muffs, or headphones, but with the front open to allow for this increased collection capacity.

So while room treatment "will" affect the sound, this phenomena can be enjoyed (or not) by simply cupping your hands behind your ears.  Many times your notice people who have lost some of their hearing will put their hands behind their ear and turn toward you, as they ask you to repeat what you said.

In years gone by, there were also "horns" for that very purpose (before hearing aids) which looked like "megaphones" which use the concept in reverse.

So, not to discourage you from room treatment, because I am a strong beleiver, but cupping will produce this affect, room treatment, or not. :mrgreen:

woodsyi

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What does it mean?
« Reply #3 on: 27 Oct 2004, 07:22 pm »
Thanks John,  that's quite a pinna you present.

Actually,  I like the sound quite a bit as is.  I finally have settled on 600 Hz as the lowpass frequency on the woofers and the balance is just right for me.  Before the upgrade, there were some distortion to the megawoofer when presented with higher then 200 Hz signal.  Not anymore.  Brian has made some changes regarding the filters between the two woofers.  Whatever it was (may be the choke that I saw have something to do with it)  I like it.   No Distortions.  With the ribbons going down to 200 Hz and woofers chiming in between 50Hz and 600Hz, I have an incredible tonal balance.  The three tenors sound just like I remember them in person and I can spot individual instruments in symphonic orchestration.  In fact, it sucks to be a Red Sox fan right now because I have watch the sox and miss out on listening to music.  Between the Series and RM40's I am not getting much sleep!

I am going to have to get another Larger to balance out the bass!  I keep looking for a used one on the 'Gon but I may have to order a new one from you if I don't see one soon.