Maxhemp's and room placement

jman66 · « **on:** 25 Nov 2007, 12:26 pm »

I know the subject is only applicable to ones own listening environment, but I'm curious how owners have their Maxhemp speakers placed.
What method did you use, what are your room dimensions, using/not using the pedestals, et.al...

So far I tried my Maxhemps in the original spot my prior speakers resided in (based on the Cardas method) and also by using an SPL meter and the 200Hz-31.5Hz tones. On paper, the best response was obtained using the SPL/test tone method but listening to the speakers proves otherwise.

-jim

ZLS · « **Reply #1 on:** 25 Nov 2007, 12:55 pm »

While I do not own a pair of the MaxHemps; I have owned several of Louis's speakers and currently own a pair of Dipole XRS's. I would suggest that you experiment using different bases for your speakers. Louis's speakers are like microscopes, they are sensitive in anything and everything that you do to them. The sound can change depending on what the speakers are sitting on. Maple, MDF and granite composite etc. Each will bring out a different tone for the speakers, and the idea is to find one that you like the best. The reason this is relevant to your room placement is that the different platforms would place your speakers at different heights which would affect your room response.
I hope this has been helpful, and not too much off track.

jman66 · « **Reply #2 on:** 25 Nov 2007, 01:56 pm »

Thanks ZLS, certainly useful info.
What I neglected to try is the Maxhemps not on their pedestals.
Another issue I may still be chasing is driver newness, as they have about 110 hours on them. I've started another cycle of break-in, using a combo of the IsoTek cd and music.

Louis O · « **Reply #3 on:** 16 Dec 2007, 12:14 am »

Hi jman66,

Many thanks for your post and I would suggest a lot of experimenting as ZLS pointed out. I would also not toe them in a whole lot as they are breaking in. They need a little longer for sure.

Thanks,
Louis

jman66 · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Dec 2007, 10:38 am »

Louis,

Great to have you back!

The Max's have over 200 hours on them now.
In my room, I find they sound their best on the pedestals. Image height is too low if they're not on the pedestals, even when some tilt-back is employed.
Room is 12'W x 15'L with varying ceiling height at 7-6 ½' and no rear wall behind me, just open space back into the main room space. So, there's no rear wall to help maintain bass pressure, some say that's a good thing, other's say the opposite. Speakers are placed on the short wall, 3' from the front wall and 7' apart and toed in crossing behind my listening chair.
I'm using a Music Reference EM7-2.5 to drive them, using the high pass inputs on the amp to filter bass 100Hz on down. Bass from 109Hz on down is being handled by a pair of HSU TN1220HO's.
Sounds pretty good so far.

DaveC113 · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Dec 2007, 04:23 pm »

Cool... I'd play with a lower x-over point too

Dave

jman66 · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Dec 2007, 06:09 pm »

Quote from: DaveC113 on 16 Dec 2007, 04:23 pm

Cool... I'd play with a lower x-over point too

Dave

Yeah, from the looks of it, 109Hz seems high but amazingly the subs do not draw attention to themselves.
I supposed running that high, I'm loosing some articulate bass the Hemps offer.
The beauty lends itself to the EM7 amp, which obviates the need for me to use the high pass out of the HSU xover.
No mucking of the high pass signal - straight from preamp into the amp and the amp inputs do the filtering.
Not to mention, removing the bass from amp allows for significantly more headroom.
The amp has a pair of straight thru inputs too, so a quick unplug/plug of the interconnects and the Max's are running full range.

-jim

gbeard · « **Reply #7 on:** 17 Dec 2007, 02:12 am »

Hi,

I do not own Maxhemps, but I have found my Superhemps to sound extremely well balanced on the long wall. So if you are able to do so, I would certainly try that too.

Good luck!
gb