New house projects (i.e. painting) have kept me busy the past couple weeks, so only limited time to play in the media room.
Recent progress...I've played a bit with Hemp (mains positioning). I' running them slightly more toe in -- but the drivers still connect BEHIND the listening area. The toe-in helps boost the highs a bit, needed to compensate for absorption created by the GIK panels.
My drivers sit low enough that I need to slouch in my listening chair to get my ears to their level. I picked up black granite bases cut to the exact size of the Hemps. The granite is polished on four edges plus the top, and looks like its part of the speaker. I placed thin plastic discs (about 5/8th inch diameter) on both the top and bottom of the granite to protect speakers / stands. The granite is about 1 1/14" deep, so the drivers are a little higher, which works out well.
I installed the granite sandwich last night. Because of the bulk, I have not attempted an A/B compare, but my first impression is the granite makes everything more solid. Acoustic bass feels a little tighter. Vocals slightly better localized, and on a favorite live cut featuring short clarinet and flute solos, the woodwinds feel slightly smoother and more rounded (this was the biggest surprise to me). The difference was not huge, and I need to go back a forth a time or two to make sure it's not just my imagination.
I hung the 242s horizontally on the side walls -- as well as the two Monsters -- again hung horizontally as a stacked pair on the back wall. So the temporay stands and folding chairs are now gone.
I continue to play with placement of the 'extra' 242, placed in front of the plasma (between the main speakers). I've still not decided what I like best, but lately I'm favoring a 'forward' placement, where the 242 is hung horizontally approximately at the back edge of the main speakers. I'll continue to play with this one to see what works best.
Here's a picture of the back of the Monster trap, so you get a feel for GIK's construction...
Still working on...1.) I'm still looking for ways to get the drivers a bit higher (closer to ear level without crouching in my chair). I'm considering adding Mapleshade brass points either as footers for the stands, or possibly between the granite and the stand. The footers would easily add 2 - 2.5" to driver height.
2.) The horizontal Monsters -- when hung like pictures -- don't sit flush to the back wall. I've got them stacked to make a solid 4' x 4' square. I'm exploring ways to get a better fit to the wall (maybe "L" brackets?).
3.) Paint, conceiling the TV wiring and a number of items are still on the horizon, when time allows.
Take care, Kent