Thanks everyone for your replies, much appreciated. @Paul.B Thanks for your thoughts, I know that putting things in a corner is never the smartest move but I was really surprised at how much the bass is affected, I’ve never had that problem with my Mu-sos. It really is quite horrible and frankly exhausting when it’s turned up.
I had a feeling the AV surround would also be affected and whilst you get a sense of what it could do, it’s not there simply because it’s not set up optimally. I’m going to try and move it around later, at least to be reassured that it’s me and not the Hekla.
I can use the equaliser to reduce it but it’s still properly in your face. It’s hard as the Mu-sos and my main system are just perfect but this monster, jeez.
I hope you know you’ve completely wrecked my plans for our TV room!
Seriously, though, many thanks for reporting your experience. I got fed up with speakers and wires round the room, so ditched most of it in favour of a sound bar and small sub, but I still miss the old system, so the Hekla looked a very good alternative. Not so sure, now. I guess at the very least a home demo will be essential.
I listened to the Hekla at Naim headquarters during a factory tour. It was of course correctly positioned in the room but wasn’t on an ideal support.
It sounded very good with both AV and music. Certainly not the problems with the bass that you suggest.
I was very impressed with how images were thrown around the room, even though the Hekla was positioned at a single point at the front.
Before sending it back I would strongly suggest that you try the Hekla in the correct position, or as near to it as possible. I think you will be pleasantly surprised.
As I understand it functionality written about in the product description is not available yet meaning it is right now not as flexible as marketing claims. You should be able to return it and get your money back if so since they sold you something and got something else.
Every room is unique. Its dimensions, materials and furnishings influence the way sound propagates.
Yet your audio content deserves to be heard in all its purity, without compromise, regardless of the listening environment. To meet this challenge, we have created ADAPT (Adaptive Acoustic Personal Tuning), an exclusive technology patented by Focal.
The technology is integrated into the Focal & Naim app. It collects and analyses data about your room in order to adjust the audio output of your speaker. In a few guided steps, ADAPT offers a tailor-made sound experience. Each compatible product is finely calibrated to ensure optimised acoustic precision in your environment.
I’m with @Skeptikal on this one vis if you weren’t warned about the necessary siting of the kit and/or the marketing blurb doesn’t cover it, there is a case to return the item – which might act as a lesson for those promoting it? It’s alright the guidance being in the instructions booklet, but it needs to be writ large in the associated blurb.
I heard one of those heavily advertised Bose boxes several years ago – it really didn’t work in a corner IMHO, and it weren’t much better in free space!! Bass-heavy to my ears.
Realistically that may be a fundamental issue for some. Our room with the TV has fitted bookshelves and fireplace on one wall, a large window on most of another and a long radiator plus another window on the third. The door is on the fourth wall. So accommodating the 1m clearance on either side does present a problem. I suspect we’re not alone in facing those constraints.
Indeed, but plonking the Hekla in a corner and expecting it to work simply isn’t giving it a fair chance.
As long as your room is 3m wide, it should be feasible to get 1m either side of it. It can also sit very close to the front wall.
I am not saying the perfect positioning is possible in every room but expecting an AV speaker system to work in a corner is a bit rich. Even 2-channel speakers will never be at their best in a corner.
Was there with NigelB and Nigel HH and others….i was at the back of the room, not ideal for reflections etc. But it sounded good, with lots of promise if set up correctly.
Primare make something very similar (with a lot more features) that is designed to work in a corner.
Although they do have experience of producing equipment with room correction software.
I appreciate that ‘plonking it in a corner’ isn’t the ideal solution but unless I smash the fireplace to bits and brick it up I’m left with little choice on positioning. I knew there would be some compromise but given that it’s not a passive lump but a Focal/Naim piece of kit with the credibility and DSP to go with it, I had hoped it would sort itself out and give me a decent listening experience. I’m obviously asking too much of it. Interesting comment about deflectors though, might give that a go.
Anyway, I came home tonight and I’ve pulled it away from the back wall, reADAPTed the system and it’s marginally better and less boomy but my god it’s still got some welly. I sort of sit here and stare at it with fear and loathing wondering what the hell to do with it short of completely rearranging the room. Besides, my wife’s away at the moment and I don’t think she’d be wildly chuffed to walk into a completely different sitting room. This is why I have a listening room, to not bugger about with domestications.
I’ll persevere and maybe some updates that @Paul.B mentioned will help.
