Terrible listening area, any ideas?

hungrych · « **on:** 1 Apr 2006, 10:20 pm »

Hi! This is my first post here, so bear with me.

Anyway, my Energy C-3's came in the other day, and I'm using a t-amp coming out of my computer (yes.. I know, I'll get a better source and amp soon), but the real issue is the room I'm using. In the case a picture is worth a thousand screams of frustration, so here:

As you can see, there are different surfaces behind both, though they're not rear ported so I don't think it's a huge deal, at least not compared to..

Yeah, not too much space between the right speaker and my head, or the wall, but the other speaker has at least 4 times as much space behind it, which gives a wierd effect and messes with the soundstage.

View from on top of the computer.

So if anybody has any ideas or recommendations at all, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #1 on:** 1 Apr 2006, 10:36 pm »

I'm glad you have headphones in a space like that. Good luck!

hungrych · « **Reply #2 on:** 1 Apr 2006, 10:39 pm »

Quote from: mcrespo71

I'm glad you have headphones in a space like that. Good luck!

Yeah that's for sure!

I'm still listening mainly with headphones, but ideally it would be more like 60/40 headphones/speakers or something like that.

SET Man · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 02:21 am »

Hi,

Welcome to the AC.

I don't know the measurement of your room. But... Looking at those photos of your room I can't see why you can get a better sound by reposition your speaker and what whatever components you planing to buy in the future.

My current room is about 9.5"Wx17.5"Lx8"H. And I managed to stuff in so many things.

My room serves as 1/3 bedroom, 1/3 audio room and 1/3 darkroom. I don't have bed I sleep on futon that can be roll away to the back of the room.. old Japanese style I would say. Anyway, living in NYC... Queens to be exact ain't cheap.

So you have to be creative. Beleive it or not my old room at the old apartment was even smaller!

But I have to say that since music and stereo are important part of my life I acturally arranged my room with my stereo system in mind. Before I moved in here I came to check out the room. The first thing I though was "where should the speaker go?" And I must say I am very happy with sound right now.

So! If you are serious about the sound than I can't see why you can't make your room to work. Won't be perfect but could be better. I see that you do have some clean up to do. Than think where is a good spot for your speaker and your stereo will be. Than just reagrange your bed, shelf and etc around it.

Oh! of cause it help if you are single 'cause you can put speaker where you want them... right guys?

Goodluck,
Buddy

PS.
To see my room old and new just click on the "My Gallery" link below.

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 02:27 am »

Have you tried angling the speakers in more, so you are completely listening to them in the nearfield from your desk chair?

hungrych · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 03:50 am »

Quote from: SET Man

Hi,

Welcome to the AC.

I don't know the measurement of your room. But... Looking at those photos of your room I can't see why you can get a better sound by reposition your speaker and what whatever components you planing to buy in the future.

My current room is about 9.5"Wx17.5"Lx8"H. And I managed to stuff in so many things. My room serves as 1/3 bedroom, 1/3 audio room and 1/3 darkroom. I don't have bed I sleep on futon that can be roll away to the back of the room.. ol ...

The problem is, I'm pretty set on staying in this corner, since I really like to be by the windows, for both the light and the cross ventilation, since my room gets kind of hot. And I can't go get a new house, I'm only 15!

I tried angling it inwards at first, but it didn't sound that great. But that could be a property of the lack of burnin at the time, or just bad positioning in general. I think I'll give it another shot soon.

Thanks for all the help so far!

mcrespo71 · « **Reply #6 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 03:55 am »

Yeah, burn them in 100 hours and then try to toe them in more. At least they aren't rear ported!

SET Man · « **Reply #7 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 04:19 am »

Quote from: hungrych

... I'm only 15!

Hey!

I see. I remember when I got my first speaker the Advent Baby II and cheap JVC reciever I did stuff them into on corner too.

I think I was 16

It is nice to see new young people coming into hi-fi/hi-end world. Seem like many young people and yes people my age too... today only care about how many songs can thier new iPod could hold.

Oh! by the way I'm 28. And I got interested in audio when I was about your age.

But I didn't have internet audio site like this to help back then

Anyway, have fun and of cause you could always find help here.

Take care,
Buddy

Ethan Winer · « **Reply #8 on:** 2 Apr 2006, 04:19 pm »

> So if anybody has any ideas or recommendations at all, I'd really appreciate it. <

This is a deep subject, but the short version is:

* Broadband (not tuned) bass traps in as many corners as you can manage, including the wall-ceiling corners.

* Mid/high frequency absorption at the first reflection points on the side walls and ceiling.

* Some additional amount of mid/high absorption on any large areas of bare parallel surfaces, such as opposing walls or the ceiling if the floor is reflective.

For the complete story see my Acoustics FAQ:

www.ethanwiner.com/acoustics.html

--Ethan

Glenn K · « **Reply #9 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 09:32 am »

hungrych,

I think it is so cool to see young people getting into music this intense.. My daughter who is 16 loves to listen in my room but could give two flips why it sounds so good..

Glenn

hungrych · « **Reply #10 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 08:20 pm »

Well I spend so much time listening to music, it seemed natural to take the next step.

Anyway, I tried moving them backwards so it forms a sort of equilateral triangle with my head, and the uneveness is mostly gone, as well as an improvement in imaging. So I guess I should keep experimenting!

Glenn K · « **Reply #11 on:** 5 Apr 2006, 09:39 pm »

I tell you what you get some rigid fiber glass and build some bass traps and you will be in heaven..

Glenn

BrunoB · « **Reply #12 on:** 6 Apr 2006, 05:40 pm »

Quote from: hungrych

Hi! This is my first post here, so bear with me.

Anyway, I tried moving them backwards so it forms a sort of equilateral triangle with my head, and the uneveness is mostly gone, as well as an improvement in imaging. So I guess I should keep experimenting!

...

Here are some suggestions for further experimenting: (1) place the speakers upside down such that the tweeter would be closer to ear level, (2) move the computer monitor as forward as possible such that it would be in front of the speakers (same idea as moving the speakers backward as you did), and (3) angle the speakers toward the listening position such that they would cross in front of you.

Bruno