Desktop audio question...

[Philip]

Don't compared the near-field setup used by professional recording studios hor coz their speakers are still placed further apart. Not forgetting the expensive acoustic treatment for the room.

Phil

 

[86technie]

Don't compared the near-field setup used by professional recording studios hor coz their speakers are still placed further apart. Not forgetting the expensive acoustic treatment for the room.

Phil

Recording studio is not easy nor cheap to setup.
Especially the room have to be isolated and sound proof
before setting up.

Did one project in my past before and I won't forget
the quotation costing that I submit for approval is .
Even after setup you still have to calibrate the equipment
to ensure that it fits well with the room acoustic.

Setting up one at home is insane unless you can forgo
one room and have a really deep pocket.
Cheers.

 

[Philip]

Recording studio is not easy nor cheap to setup.
Especially the room have to be isolated and sound proof
before setting up.

Did one project in my past before and I won't forget
the quotation costing that I submit for approval is .
Even after setup you still have to calibrate the equipment
to ensure that it fits well with the room acoustic.

Setting up one at home is insane unless you can forgo
one room and have a really deep pocket.
Cheers.

Well, there is someone living in a HDB flat in Woodlands with a home theater room fully covered in 6" of acoustic treatment foam. Full set of M&K speakers with dual subs, A/V pre-pro and high-end projector. Equipment and room setup should be around 100K++.

Phil

 

[Philip]

This is mine.

Tried the following combos, and finally settled with a dedicated 2.0 system

1. A/V receiver + CD player (CDP) + floodstanders + sub
2. Combo 1 + power amp + biamp
3. A/V processor + power amp + CDP + floodstanders + sub
4. Solid state stereo amp + CDP + bookshelf
5. Tube amp + CDP + bookshelf
6. Tube amp + turntable + bookshelf

PC side, tried the following combos then decided to go 5.1 for gaming

1. Onboard + pre-amp + multimedia speakers
2. Sound card + A/V receiver + bookself speakers
3. Sound card + stereo amp + bookshelf speakers
4. USB DAC + Class D amp + bookshelf speakers

Phil

 

[ragnarok95]

I went into that room before!!!!!!!!

 

[Philip]

I went into that room before!!!!!!!!

Still using my whip bor?? Errr.. I meant the custom Canare speaker cable.

Phil

 

[ragnarok95]

Still using my whip bor?? Errr.. I meant the custom Canare speaker cable.

Phil

No more since my 250D dead. Pass on to someone else who can use it.

 

[wwenze]

No more since my 250D dead. Pass on to someone else who can use it.

Repair it, hard to find speakers with digital in.

 

[ragnarok95]

Throw away liao. lol

 

[bunnypangsai]

Wa. Jin envy, got entertainment room. Satki.

This is mine.

Tried the following combos, and finally settled with a dedicated 2.0 system

1. A/V receiver + CD player (CDP) + floodstanders + sub
2. Combo 1 + power amp + biamp
3. A/V processor + power amp + CDP + floodstanders + sub
4. Solid state stereo amp + CDP + bookshelf
5. Tube amp + CDP + bookshelf
6. Tube amp + turntable + bookshelf

PC side, tried the following combos then decided to go 5.1 for gaming

1. Onboard + pre-amp + multimedia speakers
2. Sound card + A/V receiver + bookself speakers
3. Sound card + stereo amp + bookshelf speakers
4. USB DAC + Class D amp + bookshelf speakers

Phil

 

[ragnarok95]

Wa. Jin envy, got entertainment room. Satki.

He how old, you how old.

 

[Philip]

He how old, you how old.

Cough! Old man here...

Phil

 

[86technie]

This is mine.

Tried the following combos, and finally settled with a dedicated 2.0 system

1. A/V receiver + CD player (CDP) + floodstanders + sub
2. Combo 1 + power amp + biamp
3. A/V processor + power amp + CDP + floodstanders + sub
4. Solid state stereo amp + CDP + bookshelf
5. Tube amp + CDP + bookshelf
6. Tube amp + turntable + bookshelf

PC side, tried the following combos then decided to go 5.1 for gaming

1. Onboard + pre-amp + multimedia speakers
2. Sound card + A/V receiver + bookself speakers
3. Sound card + stereo amp + bookshelf speakers
4. USB DAC + Class D amp + bookshelf speakers

Phil

One of the many who owns such a room.
That is why my AV setup is either basic/mid-range models only.
Cuz room acoustics play a crucial part.

Wait till one day when I got my own HDB than maybe I consider
such setup but without projection.
Projection in my opinion not only high cost but got to handle with care
and maintenance as well.

I can show off my current AV setup but few things not done yet.

 

[mypillowtalks]

Hello

With reference to post #35, where the crossover is set to about 100hz.

The spec of the PSB subwoofer says response at -10dB is 35Hz, and -3dB is at 39 Hz, in an anechoic chamber. I assume this means 4 pi full space respond.
When placed against a wall or boundary, there might be an improved in sound pressure level as the sound wave may be reflected by the wall, and adds up constructively in some area of the room

Since the mackie spec sheet says it starts to roll off at 75hz, i think it might be a good idea to set the crossover at about 100hz, so the mackie plays frequencies above 100hz

Since there might be reflections in the room, which leads to constructive and destructive interference of sound wave, the sound at the listening area can be boomy, or lack bass, etc.

To mitigate the boominess that may cause by the subwoofer operating from 100hz and below, an equaliser can be used to tune.

*No flat response in non ideal situation, quite impossible to get flat freq response in real life

 

[Gymrat76]

Thanks everyone for your valuable input. I have been digesting all of the information and considering how much (or whether even if) I will spend on a new setup considering that I'm playing back music via my desktop. I've also gone to Adelphi over the weekend to audition some speakers (KEF was closed unfortunately, but I did audition the Estonian-made Audes bookshelves, which were pretty remarkable for the size). Yet to head down to listed to the ATC SCM7s yet

If I keep my entire setup (active speakers+ sub), would a good external DAC improve the sound further? And which brand supports sub out? (Considering that I also use the system to play games + watch movies)

I'm realistic enough to know that I won't get the kind of soundstage and presence of a living room setup. I'm just trying to solicict opinions on whether I can significantly improve current setup's performance with a new passive system+DAC. And since it's virtually impossible to do a demo at any of the hifi shops in a manner suited to my own setup, opinions on those who've tried it and gotten success/or not, is really appreciated.



2. If I decide in the end to move the music set

 

[Silverback84]

Bump bump bu

 

[Philip]

I've a cheaper solution for you. Get the Swan M200 MK3. Bass is respectable enough for you to dump the sub for music.

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/swans2/1.html

"Conclusion: The Swans M200 Mk III are a class act. They live up to expectations imposed by history and push pedigree yet further upscale. As a computer monitor, they offer a phenomenal level of sound quality and have a visual aesthetic of decadent luxury. Their warm enveloping tube-like presentation should appeal to those seeking that kind of sonic signature. They never overanalyze. They consistently remain pleasantly revealing. The Swans M200 Mk III entices us to seek out and explore new music. That very ability to encourage listening is probably its greatest strength"

Phil

 

[Philip]

Dude.. There is a reason why most audiophiles have a 2.0 setup. Subwoofer integration is always a bitch. I've even tried so-called musical subs like REL with floodstanders but can't match the clarity and warmth of my current Sonus Faber bookshelfs. Just bass extension is not as low, but it is an acceptable tradeoff.

Phil

 

[Gymrat76]

Dude.. There is a reason why most audiophiles have a 2.0 setup. Subwoofer integration is always a bitch. I've even tried so-called musical subs like REL with floodstanders but can't match the clarity and warmth of my current Sonus Faber bookshelfs. Just bass extension is not as low, but it is an acceptable tradeoff.

Phil

Thanks! I'd ditch the sub of course, if I get a pair of speakers that gives me satisfactory low end (the Mackies don't have the punch with only 4" woofers).

As for the Swans, I don't really want a 2.1 system with a floor mounted sub unit. The reason I got the PSB Subseries 100 was that it's small and compact and I can tuck it on my desk, out of sight behind the monitor I know it's not the best place for the sub, but I love the bass it gives and my issues is more with the Mackie's mid and highs

 

[noangel7]

PC side, tried the following combos then decided to go 5.1 for gaming

1. Onboard + pre-amp + multimedia speakers
2. Sound card + A/V receiver + bookself speakers
3. Sound card + stereo amp + bookshelf speakers
4. USB DAC + Class D amp + bookshelf speakers

Phil[/QUOTE]



mind sharing how you found the different combinations?

My current set up is stereo amp + bookshelves but curious about whether the other combinations sound any better .