Synergistic Research Acoustic Resonators

topround · « **on:** 8 Mar 2009, 04:37 am »

OK, Here goes

I went to my friend Joe's house today and heard 2 very wonderful things

1) Playback designs CD player, best digital I have heard yet!

Will make most high end digital sound congested and strident

2) Synergistic Research Acoustic Resonators,.. they really work

, they shouldn't, but they do

I will post more info and pictures tommorrow but let me just say they created a holographic image and really sweetened the tone.

I am not one to believe in this type of snake oil but it did work. I want them

More to follow tomorrow, very sleepy now

Mike

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Mar 2009, 01:32 pm »

Just for you Mike...

Just kidding of course.

Glad you had a chance to hear the Resonators and I look forward to reading what you thought of them.

George

topround · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Mar 2009, 02:03 pm »

George,
I wanted so much not to believe in them, but they did something, they really did.

BTW, I believe in UFO's as well

and they must be laughing at us now

mike

laserman · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 12:55 am »

Ohhhhhhh Mike,

First thing that came to my mind was the phrase "would you believe" viewers would hear from Maxwell Smart.

You know I was starting to elevate your audio importance in my audio journey because of your BFF Mike and all the other folks you hang with in the NY/NJ area. However, now all I can visualize is Max and the Chief...in The Cone of Silence.

It was one of Max's favorite gadgets, it never worked properly, yet Max never gave up faith in it. This I am afraid is what has happened to you my friend.

God speed in your illusional journey recovery. There will be many of us waiting for you on the other side when this folly ends.

On a serious note, I would want to experience a before and after audition myself.

Brother Luigi

markC · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 01:26 am »

Get Smart was one of my fav. shows. The cone of silence was always entertaining, but lets not forget the impenetrable invisible wall in Max's apartment. He never really was sure which side of the wall he was on when it was engaged....

jbtrio · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 02:56 am »

I second Mike's assessment. Don't know why they work, but really do improve the sound. The soundstage was much deeper and wider. the tone was improved being smoother and more natural sounding (less hi-fi). Can't explain it, but the room itself felt more relaxed and quieter.

I have a dedicated room which is fully treated. I didn't think those Resonators would improve it much, but they sure do!

I also believe we aren't alone in this vast universe. Beam me up Scotty.

Joe

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 04:01 am »

I think its alien mind control.....

Quote

I have a dedicated room which is fully treated. I didn't think those Resonators would improve it much, but they sure do!

Joe....in what way did you hear a difference ?

Quote

I also believe we aren't alone in this vast universe. Beam me up Scotty.

I think they've landed.....

I'll watch for more comments....but at RMAF, I didn't hear a difference...sorry.

ted_b · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 04:42 am »

At CES I certainly heard a difference. I'll be demoing them soon and will report back. My room is also quite heavily treated, but this gives me hope that my demo may not be ineffective.

lonewolfny42 · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 05:39 am »

Quote from: topround on 8 Mar 2009, 04:37 am

1) Playback designs CD player, best digital I have heard yet! Will make most high end digital sound congested and strident...

Just found a review....Link.....

ted_b · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 01:13 pm »

There is a huge thread of the PD player over on the Asylum. My buddy Gary has one and I'm trying to get him to bring it over.

jbtrio · « **Reply #10 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 06:22 pm »

Chris,

The sound was more 3 dimensional. the tone was sweeter and natural sounding.
Somehow, more at ease, relax sounding. The instruments took on a more rounded shape.
Even with the Playback Design MPS-5 the sound was more palpable.

Ted,
You are in for a treat the PD is a wonderful sounding unit. It made my Marantz SA-7s1 sound congested by comparison. The Marantz is a very good player, but not in the same league as the PD. The MPS-5 does cost much more, so you have to take that into consideration.
Please do let us know, what you think of the player.

Joe

Russell Dawkins · « **Reply #11 on:** 9 Mar 2009, 07:10 pm »

Quote from: lonewolfny42 on 9 Mar 2009, 05:39 am

Just found a review....Link.....

the MBL amps in that review have to be the most over the top thing I have seen in anyone's listening room. They dwarf the speakers, and they aren't small!
This must be the audiophile equivalent of the hole in the hood of the Camaro/Corvette/Charger with the supercharger sticking way out and the driver having to peer around it to see the road!

audioaffliction · « **Reply #12 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 07:55 am »

I rarely ever post here, but these thingies from Synergistic really are amazing. I heard them in a room that I'm very familiar with, with speakers and electronics that I've spent a lot of time with. When I sat down for a listen, I just thought, "OK, system sounds great as usual." That was with the Synergistic resonators installed. We then proceeded to take them out. THAT's when I hear what a huge difference it made. Without those things in there, this system with which I was so familiar (and previously impressed with) suddenly sounded wrong. I have no idea how or why these things work, but with them in place, everything sounds more natural, more three-dimensional. It just sounds right. I just wish they weren't so expensive. That said, it's probably worth the money. You could easily spend as much on room treatment and not get as big a benefit. And they're a lot less obtrusive then tube traps and acoustic panels all over your walls.

topround · « **Reply #13 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 10:56 am »

AA
I agree, they worked very well when I heard them.
I have spoken to others who say they did not hear a difference in the system they were installed in.
Maybe they work better in some rooms than others?
They are worth the 3K as an upgrade, I would spend another 3K to get those results from say a better source, but when you look at them you realize they only cost a few hundred to make, and that is what pisses people off. If they retailed for like 800 $ they would sell a ton of them.
So most people won't give them the time of day because they are so much money, I liked them alot, but would never spend that much money on them, even though I probably spent that much on Lego's for my kids

Unfortunately that is the norm here in high end audio, huge markups that bring the prices up to the ridiculous, hoping that some well heeled, or over anxious audiophile will bite.

oh well..

Mike

cryotweaks · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 11:43 am »

You can purchase the ART components piece by piece now. I found that two of the Gravitrons do a very nice job. Place one 4-6" above tweeter height, centered on the wall behind the speakers, place the other 24" or so higher, centered on the wall behind your listening position. It will add depth to the soundstage, and smooth out the high frequencies a bit. Add two Magnetron satellites to the side wall first reflection points later and you have 60% of the full ART system. This will give you the wrap-around, wide and deep soundstage, but will not be as effective at sweetening the mids (like the Vibratron does) or tightening up the bass (like the bass station does). It will mostly work on the lower treble on up. But still a very nice and economical way to get the benefits without spending so much.

Full disclosure: I am a dealer, so I may be biased. Nonetheless you can demo them for yourself if you wish.

2bigears · « **Reply #15 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 12:22 pm »

Mike,you know this stuff is so close to real Voo-Doo it's not funny.plus the value added to cost ratio is silly beyond words.....

cryotweaks · « **Reply #16 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 12:37 pm »

I agree. But had I not had the experience I had when I was first introduced to them (you can read about that on the main ART page on My site) I wouldn't have bought it either. Bottom line, try it with an open mind.

jbtrio · « **Reply #17 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 09:39 pm »

I agree wholeheartedly with Mike and AA. They really do work and, it is not subtle in my room, but the cost is ridiculous for what your getting. If they were more reasonably priced, SR would sell a ton of them.

Just me 2 cents!

Joe

richidoo · « **Reply #18 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 10:38 pm »

If it really can replace traditional acoustic treatments as claimed, then it's definitely worth $3k.

Mariusz · « **Reply #19 on:** 11 Mar 2009, 10:44 pm »

Quote from: richidoo on 11 Mar 2009, 10:38 pm

If it really can replace traditional acoustic treatments as claimed, then it's definitely worth $3k.

No it is NOT.