[Housteau]

They are not VMPS, but they are ribbons.  I notice a similar sound in the VMPS models and that is why I am a fan of them.  I used a Wal-Mart disposable camera for a wider angle lens, but it was still hard to fit in all I wanted to.  Both photos are off center and I will blame the camera on that one .  I will post some older pictures of this room that do a better job showing it off.  These flash pictures rob the life out of this space, just as my previous acoustic overtreatments did to the sound.





Dave

[Housteau]

Here are some earlier shots from a few years back before the acoustic treatments were even close to being correct, but the off lighting shows the rooms true nature.  I had assumed incorrectly that this cathedral peak required more absorption to eliminate slap echo.  In this older configuration the sound was not bad, but lacked air and life.  I had killed the room preventing it from working it's magic.




Dave

[Housteau]

I do not have any new shots of my existing rear wall.  The ones I had taken with the wide angle lens had lighting problems with the flash.  What I show here is a transition from the previous photos to what I have now.  As you can see, most of the absorptive materials have been removed and a sculpture has been added to the wall.  

I have a friend who is an artist and when I saw this at one of his shows, I knew I had the perfect place for it.  The illusion is of himself coming out of the wall.  Most of his work is lifesize and of a science fiction, or mystical theme.  His inspirition for this one was Hans Solo frozen in carbonite.  

To me, the creation of an acoustic space is also part of a magical illusion that follows similar themes.  The framed artwork is also science fiction and fantasy based, not unlike my prefered choice in music which is early and modern prog.  However, instead of being flat and highly reflective, each framed print has a gentle curve to it.

The sculpture allows good refractive dispersion directly behind the listening seat.  The half-round tube traps have since been removed breathing even more life into the room.  I had thought I would have needed more refraction and dispersion behind that seat, but it appears to be just fine now.  I may try to break things up a little more, just for fun and that spirit of never leaving well enough alone, that most of us are stricken with .





Dave

[JoshK]

How in the hell did you do that Frozen Han Solo thing on the wall?! That is so freaking cool, I can't even begin to describe!

[Housteau]

I dont have any close up shots, but I do have some others from a different angle and lighting.  My friend installed it for me.  I wanted to keep his vision intact.  Basically, all the body parts are mounted individually, then blended into the wall using a vinyl spackling compound.  An important part of his illusion was to have the figure the same color as the wall.  In this way, it would appear to be an extruded part of the wall itself taking human shape, rather than just a figure imbedded within.

The left hand has the knuckles within the wall and each of the fingers emerge after a space, really adding to the illusion.



Dave

[JoshK]

Very very cool!  I love it.

[JoshK]

One question I have always wondered about these types of seperate systems is with the timing of bass relative to mids/highs.  Is there a perceived lag in your opinion between the two modules (or four)?

[JoshK]

Did he just make a plaster of himself?

[Housteau]

Josh,

Whenever you have some separation between parts of a single channel, you have to be careful with placement.  As my units sit now, I believe that I have harnessed the best my room has to offer in the areas of optimum imaging and bass response.  If there is a small lag, I have not really noticed it.

For my room, having separates made integration of the speakers to the room a little more time consuming, but it allowed me to achieve those two optimums.  I have often found it very difficult to achieve ideal imaging, depth, an illusion of space, air, as well as the best possible bass response from single enclosures.  I just always had trouble and it seemed that either the bass, or the image and it's attributes would suffer for it.

Reading through some of these forum threads I can see that others as well find it a challenge setting up single enclosures.  However, with all the adjustment possibilities with the VMPS line speakers, more tuning and possibilities are available.  The RM-40 appears to be one of these speakers that can work absolute magic in the right circumstances.  Even so, I have read about a few individuals that are still having issues achieving this ideal overall balance.  

If the RM-40's were in my room and felt I was not achieving this greatness, I would probably make them a 4 piece system integrating in a set of the VMPS subs.  In fact, I would go back to the manufacturer and ask him what crossover changes he would suggest to the RM-40, now that it would not be used full range.  My thoughts are that maybe it could be optomized for it's new frequency range.

As far as that sculpture goes, yes I believe he did do a partial casting of himself for it.  If you think that one is outrageous, you should see some of his other works.  Actually this piece is one of his more 'normal' endeavors.  However, now he is quite popular and is doing commercial works as well.  He has several large statues in New Orleans and around the country now.  One stands at the entrance of the Superdome.

Dave

[JoshK]

Thanks for your response Dave.  I had long hoped that VMPS would offer something like this, with seperate modules.  I know there are perceivable issues with timing but as you stated other factors make this more ideal and may outweigh the possible downside.  

I know at one point it was mentioned that VMPS (could have been unassociated rumour, I don't remember) was going to come out with a modular (for lack of better term) system.  It would be great to see such a thing as a narrow mid/tweet array with seperate mid-bass/bass towers.  In my room this certain could add a lot of value without sacrificing home decor.

[Tonto Yoder]

Dave,
These are Infinities, right?? I'm unsure of the model.

[Housteau]

Yes.  They are the RS1b's with rebuilt and somewhat modernized midrange drivers.  They are the predecessor of the Beta, also out of production.

Dave