[Jazzman53]

Just beautiful.
Jazzman53,
How many hours do you think you have into that pair?

I really didn't keep up with the time invested but it would be well over a 100, I'm sure. .

[BobM]

In looking at the pictures of peoples rooms I notice a wide difference in what is BEHIND the speakers.

Most of you have nothing, and I can understand that for WAF or aesthetic reasons. But I think you are leaving it up to chance and losing the opportunity for better sound.

Some of you have absorptive panels, and I don't understand that at all. These are dipoles, meaning sound is coming out the back as much as the front. The charm of panels is the deep soundstage they present because sound comes out the back. Absorbing that is ruining that experience for some of you IMO, though they could be there to help get rid of a bass boom.

Then a few do it the way I do - scatter that back wave using some kind of random diffusion device behind the panels.  I've heard an eerily deep and focused center image using this technique.

Any other thoughts on this?

[Jazzman53]

I’m fortunate to have a room that sounds pretty good as-is.  I don’t use any sound absorption panels behind my speakers but I probably need some on the wall behind my listening position.   I think placing absorptive materials behind my speakers would kill the ambience.   

My old beam splitter ESLs (below) don’t care what’s behind them or how close they are to the rear wall because the V-section beam splitter deflects the rearward wave front 90 degrees to each side— but I do have to be mindful of their proximity to a side wall, lest early reflections smear the imaging.   

In complete contrast, my new H-baffle ESLs are don’t care what’s beside them, as the dipole cancellation creates a null at the sides, but they are otherwise very sensitive to placement, and they need a lot more breathing room behind them.

[Mike-48]

In looking at the pictures of peoples rooms I notice a wide difference in what is BEHIND the speakers.

Most of you have nothing, and I can understand that for WAF or aesthetic reasons. But I think you are leaving it up to chance and losing the opportunity for better sound.

Some of you have absorptive panels, and I don't understand that at all. These are dipoles, meaning sound is coming out the back as much as the front. The charm of panels is the deep soundstage they present because sound comes out the back. Absorbing that is ruining that experience for some of you IMO, though they could be there to help get rid of a bass boom.

Then a few do it the way I do - scatter that back wave using some kind of random diffusion device behind the panels.  I've heard an eerily deep and focused center image using this technique.

I'm using Janszens, which are monopole electrostatic down to 500 Hz, so do not radiate to the rear. The kind of soundstage they present is quite different from, e.g., my old Apogees. I like both styles of presentation.

I tried a number of things on the front wall, and I've settled on a combination of absorption and diffusion. I agree with you that pure absorption could damp things down too much. Yet, each room is different, and each set of ears is different, and there's no substitute for trying different things in one's own space.

One can damp bass boom with corner traps and still use diffusion or a combination product (such as the GIK Alpha traps or many ASC products) on the front wall.

[jsm71]

I'm using Janszens, which are monopole electrostatic down to 500 Hz, so do not radiate to the rear. The kind of soundstage they present is quite different from, e.g., my old Apogees. I like both styles of presentation.

I tried a number of things on the front wall, and I've settled on a combination of absorption and diffusion. I agree with you that pure absorption could damp things down too much. Yet, each room is different, and each set of ears is different, and there's no substitute for trying different things in one's own space.

One can damp bass boom with corner traps and still use diffusion or a combination product (such as the GIK Alpha traps or many ASC products) on the front wall.

I agree with Mike.  With my JansZens I'm using GIK corner bass traps and Vicoustic front wall diffusion.  That has proven to be the best combination for my modest size room.  I really like having the center image well focused.  It allows better placement of instruments. 

I also have GIK diffusor pannels at the first reflection point on the side walls and another GIK diffusor panel on the back wall behind the listening chairs.  That had less impact, but the room seems to be working well.

[Jazzman53]

Images from the 2018 Carverfest

[jeffreybehr]

I still have and love my Quad 2905s...
https://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?action=search2

This summer, one started making a weird popping noise that stopped when I unplugged the AC power.  Talked to Scott Frankland...
https://www.yelp.com/biz/scott-frankland-associates-san-jose
...the 'Frankland' of Moore, Frankland Assoc. of the '80s and '90s, designers and manufacturers of hi-end tubed electronics.  He said one of the panels was arcing and would need to be replaced.  I hauled my pair up there (San Jose, fascistfornia), he replaced three panels--two others had started coming apart and rattling--I retrieved them, and they sound excellent.  And even tho I LOVE the sounds of my system including the PS Audio BHK300 monoamps*, I'm still thinking about trying my Atma-Sphere M-60s, with and without Zero Autoformers, with the 2905s when the '60s return from being refurb'd at A-S.

Have installed, for use with movies only**, an Ascend Horizon CC speaker; I removed the amppad because the stack was too high.

.
.
* Oh how I despise the use of the term 'monoblocks', coined, apparently, by Harry Pearson, to describe single-channel poweramps.  If a single-channel poweramp is a monoblock, than a two-channel poweramp is a 'stereoblock'.  UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

** I listen to multichannel music in 4-channel only.

[Don_S]

Jeffrey,

Thank you for the information on somewhat-local Quad ESL repair.  I hope the information is useless.    No emoji for "fingers crossed".

[jeffreybehr]

Jeffrey,

Thank you for the information on somewhat-local Quad ESL repair.  I hope the information is useless.    No emoji for "fingers crossed".

Ahh...took me a moment to decipher that one.  I would have understood 'never used' instead of 'useless' more quickly.

YW.   

[zuluwarrior0760]

Replaced 3.7s with 20.7s......

[SteveFord]

That's quite the step up!

[jeffreybehr]

Got the Atma-Sphere M-60/3.3s running with only some e-mailed help from Ralph, and they absolutely have enough power for the Quads for me.  While the system sounds excellent, I'll reconnect the BHK300s to verify the sound changes.  Right now I'm VERY happy.
 
 
 
 
 

[jeffreybehr]

...and finally took a minute to remove the bulbs from the two right-hand pilot lites.   

[TJ-Sully]

initial setup...

electronics are:
Bryston BIT-20
Bryston BDA2
Bryston BDP-1
Bryston SP1.7
Emotive 250 (temp).
Oppo 203

and of course.....my new addition... Maggies 3.6R (love em!).

[ajzepp]

Nice TJ 

[jeffreybehr]

Replaced the two coupling caps with Miflex KPCUs (copperfoil/paper/polypropylene/oil) and added three PS-bypass caps (SoniCap Platinums).  See
https://www.audioasylum.com/forums/otl/messages/3/37963.html
for details.





The system sounds even better than it did before!                

[jeffreybehr]

Finally found a pair I can afford on USAudioMart.  These version 3.1s turned out to be built in 2007 and came with Chinese 6AS7G Output Tubes and 'N7s.  Got them running with the furnished OTs (and cathode-follower) and four of my stash of old-but-good Tung-Sol oval-plate 6SN7GTs.  They sound excellent now and will be better soon with new coupling and frontend bypass caps--Miflex KPCU copperfoil/paper&'propylene/oil--and largish SoniCap Platinums--Teflon-alloy/tinfoil--main-PS-bypass caps.  Will also add a bunch of SoundCoat the Thicker to the chassis ceiling and transformercover, as these chassis ring more than those of my M-60s.

[Nick V]

My system is substantially different than most in this thread, but here goes...

BG Radia in-walls with planar drivers. 5.1.2 Dolby Atmos system with BG Radia SA-320 for front l/r, PD-8i for center and surround l/r, PD-8Ci for Atmos height channels.

I'm using a NAD 758v3 receiver with Dirac Live, this system sounds fantastic for 2 channel music as well as immersive surround!

[HAL]

The Monoliths OB planar and OB servo subs.

[ddark65]

Martin Logan 15a