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Thread: Ideas and tweaks for improving your sound system |
    
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Gold Coast
Australia
Post Number: 2612
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 04:53 pm: |
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I know there's tweaks scattered throughout this forum so I thought we should start a new thread for others to find a source for ideas on improving their systems.
What are your cheap/not so cheap, simple or not so simple tweaks for improving your sound?
Here is a list of 14 from Avguide.com - there's an interesting read regarding absorbtion/reflections in the comments on p2.
http://www.avguide.com/article/14-simple-inexpensive-tips-improving-your-stereo- system-tas-197?src=Playback |
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Platinum Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 11085
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 05:55 pm: |
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Nice list MR....like it that power cords made the list. |
Platinum Member Username: Artk
Albany,
Oregon
USA
Post Number: 11088
Registered: Feb-05
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| Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:04 pm: |
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http://www.vandenhul.com/userfiles/docs/Hi-Fi_Tips_and_Hints.pdf |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Gold Coast
Australia
Post Number: 2613
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Thursday, November 05, 2009 - 10:54 pm: |
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That's a really good list Art - deserves filing for reference for sure.
Here's another helpful link - some may be snake oil, but there's good stuff in here nevertheless.
http://www.audiotweaks.com/collection_ascend.htm
Let's hear about the tweaks some of you have made that have created significent improvement.
From advice here and in some articles, I really need to move my monoblocks close to the speakers and shorten the speaker cable. Trouble is I'll need a whole new shelving/rack system to accomodate everything. And that's not little money. |
Silver Member Username: James_the_god
Lancaster,
Lancashire
England
Post Number: 820
Registered: Jan-05
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 12:01 am: |
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Some tweaks I've done in my uni pad..
-Solid spiked brass feet. 4 under each speaker, with discs. Used on solid wood desk to good affect.
-Since I use my computer as my source, 'Winamp' specifically - Delete Nullsoft's Decoder. Download 'MAD mpeg' decoder, i have version 0.15.1. Its far more bit perfect. Unbelievable difference in quality all round, particularly seperation and detail.
Also, again in Winamp, dont use Kernel streaming it causes more problems that its worth. Directsound is pretty much the same, just ensure you disable volume control in the player and lower windows volume so that volume isn't clipping whichever sound software application you're using.
-Never underestimate an interconnect cable (and the same for speaker cables). Purchased a Merlin Mozart, again improved all aspects of sound.
-An inch or two makes all the difference...that is moving speakers away from the rear wall.
-Bought some Audioquest U jumpers to replace the stock ones that came with amp (pre-out/main-in). Once again improved all aspects of sound.
-Cut yourself some speaker jumpers to replace the thin metal ones that come as stock. Currently using some Chord silver plus. Cheap worthwhile mod! |
Gold Member Username: Mike3
Wylie,
Tx
USA
Post Number: 2205
Registered: May-06
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 12:29 am: |
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On M.R.'s first post I have done just about every one but I find myself at odds with #5. I use my record shelving to diffuse the sound at the sound at the first reflection point. I believe this adds more life to the presentation.
Art has posted this link in the past so I will not recap it here.
Before I got to # 20 on M.R.s second link I found hat the list was not palpable, palpable, palpable.
Nice post J.J.
Here is my first one which I got from J.V.;
Wooden game tiles under the feet of your equipment. Jenga game tiles work nicely. Does not provide the over emphasized ringing sounds or lispiness of metal or carbon fiber cones. |
Silver Member Username: Magfan
USA
Post Number: 611
Registered: Oct-07
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 01:12 am: |
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http://www.enjoythemusic.com/Magazine/equipment/1000/cheaptweaks.htm
Experiment away. Save some $$ at the same time. |
Silver Member Username: Nmytree
Post Number: 356
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 08:21 am: |
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Regarding avguide.com's number one tweak.....
" 1. Tighten your speaker’s driver mounting bolts. "
If I remember correctly, one should exercise caution and contact/inquire the manufactor; before tightening.
If I remember correctly, depending on the design of one's speakers; too much tighening could result in problems.
From what I understand a lot of these drivers/designs have a very specific torque specification.
Seems a good idea to do some research and contact a manufactor's tech, before tighening. |
Silver Member Username: Nmytree
Post Number: 357
Registered: Aug-04
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 10:01 am: |
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I believe I've mentioned these before, in another thread; a year or two ago.
I like to use Bamboo Cutting Boards as foundations for my gear and speakers.
I have some of these one inch thick, 16" x 12" bamboo boards for components and speakers.....
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5723798
Then I also have some smaller 3/4" thick .....18" x 12" and 14 1/2 " x 11" bamboo cutting boards, made by "Mainstays" (couldn't find them on-line)
I find these bamboo boards under floorstanders, are better than spikes into the carpet (and ultimately into the hardwood floors). Some of us don't want to mess up tyhe floors. So these boards provide a sturdy foundation.
For components I place a variety of Waxman Grippers under the cutting boards and/or under the components, too....
These are 4"x5" pads (adhesive backing) and they can be used under bookshelf speakers, under cutting boards, or as extra cushioning under the components footers. I like to stick two together and make a thicker pad. Then place them underneath....
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=54433-255-4750095N &lpage=none&cm_mmc=search_gps-_-gps-_-gps-_-Waxman%20Gripper%20Pads
These are the one inch round pads and the 1 1/2 inch round pads. They can be used under component's footers or under the cutting boards.
http://www.amazon.com/Waxman-4738595N-Round-Gripper-1-Inch/dp/B001WAK6G0/ref=sr_ 1_11?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1257517016&sr=1-11
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=54257-255-4738495N &lpage=none
These come in 1"x4" strips (adhesive backing) and they can be either used like that or cut to size. You could also stick them together (adhesive side to adhesive side) and make for a thicker cushion.
http://www.amazon.com/Waxman-4739495N-Gripper-1-Inch-4-Inch/dp/B000SL0KJC/ref=re g_hu-wl_mrai-recs
I experiment with different sized bamboo boards and those Grippers. Finding what works best for each speaker or component.
For instance, with the Jamo C607 I found the 12' x 18" .....3/4 inch thick bamboo boards work better, than the thicker one inch thick boards.
I'm sure some of these tweeks won't appeal to some people. But I like them. I think they make a difference. |
Silver Member Username: Magfan
USA
Post Number: 613
Registered: Oct-07
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 02:15 pm: |
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Tree makes a terrific point.
Tighten driver bolts carefully. If there is a seal under the drivers, you could crush it or damage it in another way. Someone VERY over enthusiastic could also strip threads if into board, not an insert. |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Gold Coast
Australia
Post Number: 2615
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Friday, November 06, 2009 - 04:38 pm: |
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"Be sure not to over-tighten the bolts and strip the baffle."
That's right, and that's what the tip on Avguide.com warns. I would think that would be pretty much common sense. I've never heard of torque specs on a speaker design, though I'd imagine they state such information in the product's manual. |
Silver Member Username: Magfan
USA
Post Number: 615
Registered: Oct-07
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| Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 12:19 am: |
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I suspect, but can't prove, that with some designs, EVEN torque is quite important.
If you 'tweak' the basket, it is just possible to move the VC off center in the gap and get it to rub.
I'd be careful with this particular recommendation. |
Gold Member Username: My_rantz
Gold Coast
Australia
Post Number: 2616
Registered: Nov-05
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| Posted on Saturday, November 07, 2009 - 03:43 am: |
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It's a vey popular tweak Leo, have done it quite a few times myself over the years same as others here have admitted. Careful is certainly recommended as the article suggests and as common sense should prevail - though admittedly we are referring mostly to 'audiophiles' so I guess that last statement needs a disclaimer.
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