[rblnr]

My new living room features a vaulted ceiling and is essentially open to the whole house. The contemporary style dictates no drapes, few rugs, etc. -- in other words the walls, floors and ceilings are 98% hard surfaces. Room treatment panels are out save for a few Cathedral low frequency panels I've built in up high in the corners. These help a tad at best in what is a reflective, reverberant nightmare.

My ATC 20-2 actives driven by an Audio Aero DAC/preamp can and has sounded spectacular, but not here. I'll be adding a sub as the ATCs are overwhelmed by the volume and can lean toward lean in any case. Best idea I have, and I'm open, is one of the aforementioned full range room correction solutions.

Thoughts? Experiences? Thanks.

[Val]

I agree that your room and constraints are a bright nightmare, especially with flat response speakers like ATCs! I also think room correction is your only hope.

[Hipper]

Firstly, have you considered and are you able to employ nearfield listening locations to eliminate most of the reflected sound? (The idea of nearfield listening is to reduce and delay any reflected sounds for so long that your brain doesn't register them and hence you only hear the sound direct from your speakers)

Secondly, before spending loads on Tact etc, why not try a Behringer DEQ2496. This plus microphone, microphone stand and cable would cost a few hundred dollars. This way you could judge reasonably cheaply if a digital equaliser has the effect you desire. You place it between the CD transport and DAC and will need XLR connections at the Behringer end.

I have to say that without any room treatment I think you will struggle to solve your sonic problems. Good luck!