after years of more or less blindfolded system changes I am now, for the first time ever, attempting to systematically review the state of my system and develop improvement options with the help of a retailer.
Later this week, the retailer will come to my home and listen to the system. Based on that, we will devise areas to improve.
The visit was suggested by the retailer on the notion that without having a clear idea of the system, the room and flexibility available its difficult to make suggestions. Furthermore, most people, myself included, have difficulties to put in words what they like and how they perceive the current state. And finally, what is ‘musical’ to some might be ‘too imprecise’ to the other etc.
We agreed that the outcome could range from simply new speaker cables (currently cheap DIY stuff) and new speaker stands (not well fitting and still wobbly) to an almost complete upgrade of the current system.
My plan is to select records which I love and know for good recording quality also, voices, but also listen to pieces which I do not like that much currently, like full classical orchestra stuff where it hs struggling to maintain overview.
Any suggestion from those of you who went through a similar process? Pitfalls, warnings (of course a dealer will want to sell stuff), hints?
Having a home visit for assessment is a great place to start. Your dealer will be experienced in knowing what kit could work well in your room.
Playing music that you know well is also key so I think you have everything in place…
Let the journey begin!
I found it helpful to listen to some stuff at dealers and attend a few dealer events so you know what is out there. I tend to use the home trial as the last step in the process but sounds like you have a proactive dealer - hopefully they will have the right balance of sales and service but be aware for many selling something is their reason for being so trust your ears!
It sounds like you have a good retailer , not all retailers in all parts of the world are that obliging.
My simple advice is
Set budget
Have a clear idea of what your priorities are, many people are now rejecting multiple boxes in favour of products like the Uniti . i.e integrating your TV into the audio
Don’t have any preconceived product bias
Offer your dealer a nice cup of coffee
Best wishes
Ian
@Farthings-cat you are spot on , playing music you know well is very important rather than Pink Floyd when you never listen to them , but you know they are a favourite audition piece
Hi @Schnuffsche. I think the dealer visit is a good place to start. The possible danger is that you get a system tuned to your dealer’s ears rather than yours. Hifi preferences are very subjective … witness this forum.
I run a simple system: Linn pre/streamer into active ATC speakers. Both of these I first heard at shows. This led to demos at dealers and at home, before final choices were made. I don’t think I’d have ended up with my current setup without those show visits.
So, I’d suggest a couple of things. Firstly, take your time. You’ve got a functioning system so don’t be in a hurry to make changes. Secondly, go and listen to several other systems in your price bracket and see what floats your boat.
I don’t know your system, therefore I’ve taken a look on line. The consensus seems to be that both your amplifier and your speakers have something of a warm and cosy sound. The question for you is whether it’s a sound you like. If you do like the basic presentation there is a risk of spending money to very slightly change the sound. While the dealer visit is potentially useful, the idea of visiting dealers to listen to alternatives is a really good one. Get clear in your mind what you want to improve, and why you want to. Maybe what you already have is perfect for you.
Re the speaker stands, from your pictures they look ok. So why not get on your hands and knees with a spanner and a spirit level and stop them wobbling. It will make a difference and it’s free.
I’m about to go through a similar process, however it’s regarding new speakers. I have already demoed in store, so have reduced models I’m now considering. Next is to arrange home demo.
I spent yesterday thinking about the albums I want to listen to. Different genres, artists, etc. Good quality recordings together with material that wasn’t recorded well but artists I still like. Someone already mentioned, not the usual ‘demo’ stuff played at shows/dealers but music I actually listen to and enjoy.
I now have a list of 16 albums that I know well and will test things like correct bass, reverb, does it go low enough, what is the voice like, what are the highs like, is there any bass-boom at all, clarity and tone of instruments, play loud and low, are the dynamics still there …
I’m going to do this in a relaxed timeframe, listen to the complete album one at a time over many days and judge from there. Is this new speaker doing things my current speaker isn’t and is it very, very enjoyable!?
Only then will I make the decision, stick or move!
That’s the best advice I can give you. Take time in the relaxing environment of your room. Good luck!
Are you saying there are other bands that aren’t Pink Floyd! Fortunately I’m a Floyd fan boy but the point remains the music you like needs to be tested, recording warts and all! Be sad if your system drove your musical choices!
As you seem to already be doing, most important is to have a wide variety of music. Everything you might conceivably be caught listening to. Male voices, female voices, deep bass, electronic, acoustic, simple, hugely comples etc. A common pitfall is a few not to dissimilar albums that happen to be your flavour of the month.
The other one is to either, change everything or only one thing at a time. Once a change is made, live with it for at least a couple of weeks before introducing another.
If you have any recordings you live but find the recording quality limits enjoyment it mght also be worth including one.
Meanwhile bear in mind that of all components the speakers have the most profound effect on the sound character of a system and getting them the best for you can involve auditioning an awful lot unless you’re very lucky, and for some music, e.g. orchestral and prog rock, it can make a tremendous difference whether speakers are full range going down to lowest octaves or if they cut them off, meaning relatively large speakers or using subs.
Also worth considering is whether your room would benefit from acoustic treatment.
The only other thing I’d observe at this point is that it is worth bearing in mind that the dealer’s prime interest will be in selling you something!
Some seriously good advice here, thanks a lot! My reason for trying a home assessment first is that I’d like to get an impression on where are the most important areas that could be addressed first before starting actual listening trials with other equipment.
Good points also on essentially setting boundaries on what’s acceptable in respect to physical consequences (room set up. number & sizes of boxes, although that is already quite fixed).
Excellent idea of adding music one knows well and it’s a good recording but also including some not so good ones (in a technical respect).
As for the subjectivity and the potential $$$$ signs in the dealer’s eyes - true but in any case myself and my GF will be the ones to judge. And if we agree any proposed change is not worth it then so be it. And I will buy a recording cleaning machine in any case.
My current ‘plan’ is to keep the speaker as a the centre of the system & the starting point - I am pretty sure they currently cannot show what’s really in them and this I’d like to find out. And that includes the stands which really, despite looks, don’t match well (but it really could be I am just not good at setting them up, we’ll soon find out…).
Keeping the speakers would seem eminently sensible if they are the perfect speakers for you. But if you are reviewing the rest of your system in its entirety, why not also at least consider the speakers, unless of course they were chosen from extensive comparisons at a price bracket commensurate with the sort of budget you have now.
As for them giving their best, it would be a poor speaker indeed that didn’t show up improvements in whatever is feeding it and give its best with best amp and source. However the better the speaker the better it can sound with lesser other components provided the amp has adequate control of it. The key thing I have learnt from experience and observation is that what matters most for system satisfaction is that the speaker character (including its range is right for the individual, and it can take listening to many different speakers to find what really suits, as what is perfect for one person may be unlistenable to another and vice versa.
Some very good musings. Actually, the speakers are the most expensive component so far. So what I would like to know at least is if I am driving them to most of their abilities. But if it turns out that they won’t fit well into the rest of the system (read: the existing components would shine much better with different speakers) or keeping them would mean significantly more expenses to get the rest of the system to an adequate level, then I well might be ready to part with them.
Important for me is that the music system is a source of fun and joy and not a dominating force I need to attend to permanently.
I’ll let you know how the dealer visit will turn out. Thanks a lot for your time and readiness to advise!
The change is the following: I placed 3x 32mm Dynavox silicone-elastomer dampers under each speaker. Previously, their wooden enclosure would be sitting directly on the stands’ top plates.
The difference is stunning: particularly the soundstage improved, I can enjoy now a vertical staging like never before. Not a bad upgrade for a 22€ investment…
after more listening sessions: not only the vertical representation improved massively, so also did the horizontal (soundstage extends now effortlessly far outside the speakers) but also the depth imaging - just wonderful!
