[kali77]

Hello AC,

I have been a long time lurker and finally registered not to long ago to purchase a couple PC's from Art(arthurs) thanks again. I just thought I would share my system since it could not have gotten here without AC and the other forums . All comments and criticism are welcome. I would still like to add a small subwoofer and do some room treatments, however it still sounds very good to my ears. Instead of listing all the equipment I thought I would post a link to my system on audiogon(if this not ok Moderators let me know). http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vstrt&1176731682&read&3&4&

Thanks, Gene

[zybar]

Welcome Gene.

Here is Gene's system:



George

[Rob Babcock]

Very nice!   It's always good to see another lurker "decloak" and take part in the discussion.  Hope to see around the Circles, Gene.

[kali77]

Zybar,

Thanks for posting the pic

Rob,

Thanks. I plan on posting more and learning more.

[warnerwh]

Looks like it should sound very good! You're right about next step being room treatment. It's easy to make panels and/or bass traps, both of which has a major impact on the sound.

If you want a sub you don't want it too small.  Also a diy sub can save alot of money and excellent quality can be had. For 5-600 you can build a sub that will last many years and through other upgrades. Once you have the bottom two octaves you'll be glad you did.

[JoshK]

warner and I can help if you want to 'diy' a sub.  You can get far better bang (or umf) for the buck with diy.  This is one area were it is easy to out do the commercial products IMO, because it is ruled more by physics than subjective elements.    I also agree with warner that some room treatments, especially at the first reflections on the side walls in front of the monitors will be more of an improvement then another couple grand in upgrades.

It looks like you have well chosen components.  I haven't heard any of them but I've read that they are all excellent performers.  I like tubes and it seems you do too. 

[kali77]

Warner and Josh,

I think I will take you up on the DIY sub route once I get time to start the project. I think the room treatments will be first, which I am sure I will need some advice on as well. I will probably try to take a photo of the whole room and post it in the acoustics circle for advice. Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to go all out with the treatments due to the wife Thanks again!

[fajimr]

I think the room treatments will be first, which I am sure I will need some advice on as well. I will probably try to take a photo of the whole room and post it in the acoustics circle for advice. Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to go all out with the treatments due to the wife Thanks again!

welcome aboard gene

head over to the acoustics circles where treatments (and often their WAF) is always the center of discussion- I learned how to DIY my own treatments there.

cheers
jim

[warnerwh]

Warner and Josh,

I think I will take you up on the DIY sub route once I get time to start the project. I think the room treatments will be first, which I am sure I will need some advice on as well. I will probably try to take a photo of the whole room and post it in the acoustics circle for advice. Unfortunately I don't think I will be able to go all out with the treatments due to the wife Thanks again!

You don't need to go all out to make a dramatic improvement. As Josh suggested is all you need to make a major improvement. First reflection points and a couple of bass traps is a good start.

Just let us know if you want a diy sub.  Performance per dollar is outstanding and I'm a fanatic when it comes to accurate and powerful bass.

[doorman]

I'm a big fan of single driver speakers, but-- those Response 2's are the best two ways I've ever heard!
                                                                           Don

[Daverz]

I think Echobusters makes attractive and unobstrustive room treatments.

[JLM]

Welcome kali77,

Nice stuff.

Is that ceramic tile behind the equipment??

I'd cover/lose that fast.

How big is the room?  How deep do you want to go?  I'd assume HT the biggest factor in wanting a sub.

[arthurs]

Welcome to the madness Gene!  Glad to hear the PC's are working out for you.  I think you're on the right path looking at room treatment.  As I look back at my journey I wish I had done them much earlier, would have saved some equipment changes along the way.  The acoustics circle here at AC has some of the best guys anywhere, both industry professionals and DIY.  Smart, insightful for the non-acoustic geniuses like myself, and easy going, they will be a big help. 

[kali77]

Thank you all for the comments/suggestions.

Daverz, thanks for the link.

JLM, they are ceramic tiles. They were there from the previous owner. I suppose I will have to find a way to cover them up. I will get some measurements of the room this evening. HT is not an issue, I don't think that TV has been turned on in over year If I am watching TV it is upstairs on a different set. I listen to a lot of reggae and feel like I may be missing some of those lower bass notes.

Arthurs, thanks! The PC's are working well and I feel like I am in for a long journey in this hobby. I will not be swappong any equipment until I get some room corrections in place.

Gene

[richidoo]

Hi Gene,
Welcome to AC, it is a great learning place. Hope you decide to participate and offer your tidbits of knowledge in the AC pot of stew. Very nice system. You mentioned on 'gon that you love the ProAcs, well, you will literally double their performance when you can hear them clearly after some acoustic treatments. It's amazing what the right treatments can do. But since you are a tube man, be careful not to harm that tubey transparent soundstaging by padding down the front wall area (behind the speakers). I use 8th nerve adapts in ceiling corners to good effect, they clean up the mids and level out the bass in my large room and although my wife complains since I have not painted them, she does allow them to stay. When painted they blend right in. You could make yourself some homemade diffusors to cover that tile, just two or three leaned against it would be more than enough, but farther away from speakers would work better. A towel or some thin cloth is enough to break up the high reflectivity of the glass TV and tile so it sounds more like sheetrock or wood, still not perfect, but removeable in seconds for momma - maybe a thick flannel bedsheet? I don't really like the (lack of) sound of absorbors behind the speaker baffle line, but many people do as it tightens up the sound a lot, great for multitrack pop/rock music with canned reverb or synthetic soundstaging. Natural soundstaging like true stereo recordings of concert halls has more nuances that I think need to bounce out to fully bloom. I find that richness to be a little reduced with absorbers anywhere behind the speaks, but experimenting is the only way to know. Lots of great advice from Ethan, Bryan (bpape) and others here on AC. 6" thick bass traps leaning along the side wall starting right in front of the speaker improves bass very effectively for me, but WAF is highly dubious.  Congrats on a successful first system, Gene, now you will be hooked for life! All that research paid off for you.

Daverz, your post about attractive and unobtrusive got me laughing when I saw your CAT!    Great icon!

[TONEPUB]

Welcome!

Looks like you are off to a good start...

I agree with the guys here, see what you can do with room treatments
before you start on more upgrades, as it looks like you have some very
good gear already!!

Lots of good ideas for DIY, and if you don't go that route, I have had
great luck with the guys from GIK..  Nice stuff and pretty reasonably
priced as well.  Pretty plain looking, so shouldn't be too big of a WAF
prob.

[Daverz]

I suppose I will have to find a way to cover them up.

Some blankets will do in a pinch.  Virgin wool, of course.