Has anyone auditioned the new Shakti room optimizer?

witchdoctor · « **on:** 9 Aug 2003, 09:19 pm »

These things look like wooden sculpture and were reviewed favorably by people who heard them at CES.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Aug 2003, 09:40 pm »

Didja see the review on the virtual Ultimate Audio site?? (UA is now on the EnjoytheMusic website.)
http://www.enjoythemusic.com/ultimateaudio/

Click "Components," scroll down to Shakti Hallograph.

BTW, $999.

Brad V · « **Reply #2 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 01:15 am »

Quote from: witchdoctor

These things look like wooden sculpture and were reviewed favorably by people who heard them at CES.

Hi,

There is a DIY out there. I'm going to build them, as well as a few other people. Since I'm going to build them, I'm going to build 2 other pair, so that I'll have 3 of them. If one works, then I can use the other 3. The pictures are gone on AA, so I'm waiting for some guy to send me the schematics. He had a computer meltdown and has to rebuild the pictures with them on it. According to people who have heard the DIY and the real one, they said the DIY comes to 80% of the real one. Well, the DIY is out of MDF and costs about $3.00 for a pair.

I'll keep everyone posted, after I get the pics and get them built.

Have a great day,

Brad

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #3 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 01:48 am »

Wow... ! Must be why Liberace had a candelabra on his piano !!!

witchdoctor · « **Reply #4 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 02:03 am »

It's insane that wood that can't cost mre than $100 can go for $999.
What is more insane is that it's probably worth it in terms of the sound quality if you spent the $ on a similar piced component.
I live in a small NYC apt. which is why I'm interested. Let me know how the DIY version works. Maybe you can open a sidelined business and sell them for 1/2 price at around $500 LOL.

WilliamL · « **Reply #5 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 02:57 am »

Todd,

I don't remember you having much more room in your listening area. Where will they fit in your apartment.

I gotta see this!

Cheers,
Bill

witchdoctor · « **Reply #6 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 03:55 am »

That is another problem. Maybe I should save the dough and spend it on
CD's. Now that I see the picture the only place they could fit is in the hallway where I can use them to hang my ties.

George W · « **Reply #7 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 04:19 am »

Can someone explain the theory behind these? I can't figure out how pieces of wavy wood can impart such a difference in sound stage but I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. Is the wood solid or hollow on the inside? Thanks,

George

Brad V · « **Reply #8 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 04:33 am »

Quote from: George W

Can someone explain the theory behind these? I can't figure out how pieces of wavy wood can impart such a difference in sound stage but I'm trying to keep an open mind about it. Is the wood solid or hollow on the inside? Thanks,

George

I suppose it could be similar to cupping your hands out from your ears and hearing things differently. I had spoken with one of the Shakti Hallograph dealers once. He was telling me that once you position them, you can turn them a fraction of an inch and change the sound. I'll make a post on here, once I get them made.

Have a great day,

Brad

Brad V · « **Reply #9 on:** 10 Aug 2003, 03:52 pm »

Hi,

Bad news. I just got an email from the guy who was going to send me the shakti schematics, after he rebuilt his computer. He said that the file that had the pics in it, were un-recoverable.

I'll keep everyone posted, if someone else comes thru with them.

Have a great day,

Brad

Brad V · « **Reply #10 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 12:08 am »

Hi Guys,

Well the Tinman came thru. Here are the schematics to do a DIY:

http://members.aol.com/bvirgil311/Hallosketch.jpg

Enjoy and let me know how they turn out.

Have a great day,

Brad

Thunder · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 01:53 pm »

I appreciate it. Will definitely give this project a shot.

Cheers,
Scott

Mike B. · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 06:01 pm »

I built three diy room lenses several years ago. They are the three vertical pvc tube deals about five feet high. They are supposed to remove room resonance and improve imaging. I think the three vertical tubes are the key. I can place them behind and to the outside of my loudspeakers and the soundstage gets bigger and more forward. placing one between the speakers and behind does make the image more pronounced. I suppose the shakti works the same?????

randytsuch · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 06:57 pm »

Hi Mike,
Can you give more details on what you built, maybe some pics and plans?

I was thinking about building the diy plans Brad posted, but your version sounds easier, and if it makes a difference in the soundstage, I would like to throw it together and see what they do in my system.

Of course, I have all these other audio projects I have to do to,

Randy

Brad V · « **Reply #14 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 07:13 pm »

Quote from: randytsuch

Hi Mike,
Can you give more details on what you built, maybe some pics and plans?

I was thinking about building the diy plans Brad posted, but your version sounds easier, and if it makes a difference in the soundstage, I would like to throw it together and see what they do in my system.

Of course, I have all these other audio projects I have to do to,

Randy

Hi Randy,

I had recently spoken with a dealer who carries both the Shakti Hallographs and the Argent Room Lenses. He had the Argent Room Lenses in his house. After he took on the Hallographs into his line, he took them home and preferred the Shakti Hallographs.

Jon Risch has a DIY out on his site.

Have a great day,

Brad

MaxCast · « **Reply #15 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 08:20 pm »

I first saw these in the music direct catalogue. I thought....unbelieveable!!! Then when I saw the price, I turned the page.
For 1K I deffinately can improve my system else where. But DIY....

Hmmm, I wonder if aluminum would work

Probably would ring tho

Mike B. · « **Reply #16 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 08:28 pm »

Randy, here is a link to a DIY site for the room lensehttp://www.geocities.com/jonrisch/a3.htm

audiojerry · « **Reply #17 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 08:58 pm »

I auditioned a pair of Argent lenses in my home for a weekend.
I tried many different positions, but the sound did change from my listening position that I could tell.

If Shakti offers a 30 day return policy, I will likely give them a try.

I wonder if they work better in a more reflective room. Mine is very much on the inert side.

Tonto Yoder · « **Reply #18 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 09:29 pm »

Quote from: audiojerry

I auditioned a pair of Argent lenses in my home for a weekend.
I tried many different positions, but the sound did change from my listening position that I could tell.

If Shakti offers a 30 day return policy, I will likely give them a try.

I wonder if they work better in a more reflective room. Mine is very much on the inert side.

Shakti:" Warranty

In addition to a 30-day money back guarantee, all SHAKTI products are covered by a 5-year warranty against manufacturing defects. They should last a lifetime under normal conditions and can be easily transferred to future cars or components you may own."

nathanm · « **Reply #19 on:** 14 Aug 2003, 10:59 pm »

They do look kinda nifty, but that seems like a helluva lotta work for a DIY project. I would look into Decware's diffusor kits before I drilled all those holes and all of that routing. What if you took six 2x2s and stood them up in your room to see if it did something?

Mike B.: Nope, these 3 swank planks aren't gonna be absorbing any low end energy like a tube trap would. Tube traps - yet another DIY project that would most likely reap more rewards for less. Heck, you'd have some money left over for a few Shakti Pet Rocks.