I know there is a very large thread currently on this, but I think it may have become rather more ‘detailed’ than is necessary for me.
Our lounge (home of the main rig) is 3.5m wide by 6.5m long by 2.3m high, quite regular in shape and consists of plasterboard type construction with a carpeted floor and curtains. The main speakers are along one of the short walls firing down the length of the room. Over a period of time I think I have finally gotten the speakers (Tannoy R2s - 44 - 20khz) placed correctly. The sub (Tannoy R-sub 15) is located about 2m down the left hand long wall - much better than between the two stereo speakers.
I have often wondered what benefit would some basic room treatment bring? Today I substituted the Tannoys for my much smaller Piega TS3 speakers from the bedroom system and the results were interesting. The Piegas are great little speakers and ideal for their current use - very clear and cohesive. I initially ran the speakers without the sub then switched it on with the crossover point raised to the low Frequency response of the Piegas - circa 60 hz. They worked surprisingly well in the room but lacked a little scale. I then switched back to the Tannoys (dropping the sub crossover back to its lowest setting - 50hz) and the clarity was still there but the sound had more body and scale - it was more interesting. However, one thing did seem not quite so good - a slightly too high output in the mid - upper bass and this was present on a range of music.
This has got me thinking, would some basic room treatment help reduce the effect of this. In particular would some form of ‘bass trapping’, such as the 10mm free standing Impression panels from GIK acoustic word be worth trying? I don’t think full corner traps are an option and this is a lounge rather than a studio after all, but the GIK panels, with the veneer fronts, actually look quite attractive and have so far met with passing wife approval! They would sit behind the main speakers, with the possibility of moving them into the corners if desired and under the large World map we have on the wall - obscuring any of that is NOT an option!
I also wonder about treating first and second reflection points with the Art panel range - would this be beneficial? The main issue with this would be that the right hand long wall, as viewed by the listener, has glass French doors located near the speaker on that side. Would a movable stand alone panel work that side and an art panel on the other.
I really would not want to do any more than this but, if people think it worthwhile, I am certainly tempted by some mid-bass trapping and then see how I get on.
Related to this, in the office I use an old Arcam Alpha 5 CD, 7r amp and Mission 731is located on my desk. This is essentially a nearfield set up and gives quite a different experience. Not as clear or smooth as the main system but very immediate and ‘pure’ - presumably because the bass output is limited (increases as I move back from the speakers), there are no 1st/2nd reflections affecting the sound and the bookshelf behind me (full of books) acts as a diffuser.
As always, any advice would be greatly received.
Alex