Surround sound

[Skuzzy]

I saw some comments about sub-woofer placement which made me cringe.  Typically, the best place for a sub-woofer is in a corner.  Out in the open, you can be left with a standing wave issue which can muddle mid-range sounds in the various harmonic frequencies of the sub-woofer output.  Standing waves are bad.

But, yes, sub-woofer sounds are felt more than they are actually heard.

The quality of sound is all dependent on the budget.  If you are on a low  budget, do not go to a high-end audio store, with a good theater room setup and listen to it.  You do not know what you are missing if you never hear it.

And no matter how good the equipment is, if you do not properly calibrate it for the room conditions, you will never get the best sound out of it.  I, and I imagine a couple of others here, could go into a rather lengthy list of things to look out for in a room when trying to get the best sound from it.  But most would not even care about that.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Skuzzy, a corner or wall placement actually maximises standing waves. The reason why some people prefer it is because it maximises also the output through the standing waves.

The ideal placement to reduce standing waves would be in the middle of the room. But that way you get the least output i.e. need bigger and more powerful sub.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Skuzzy, a corner or wall placement actually maximises standing waves. The reason why some people prefer it is because it maximises also the output through the standing waves.

The ideal placement to reduce standing waves would be in the middle of the room. But that way you get the least output i.e. need bigger and more powerful sub.

In about 5% of the room placements, the center of the room would be ideal.   Roughly 95% of the rooms would be enhanced by 3' from each wall of a corner.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Enhanced yes, but through standing waves as I said. If you want a rollercoaster of a frequency response, go ahead for a corner placement.

The only scenario where I could recommend a corner placement is a horn subwoofer which will benefit from the corner in a big way.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
Enhanced yes, but through standing waves as I said. If you want a rollercoaster of a frequency response, go ahead for a corner placement.

The only scenario where I could recommend a corner placement is a horn subwoofer which will benefit from the corner in a big way.

Actually I'm glad you are an enthusist like myself Ripley.  

Now a corner placement would be good, as long as other room treatments are implemented to offset.   Most people don't realize that.  

<> fellow HT guru

[Jackal1]

Originally posted by indy007
ty There is one drawback to the audio bubble. Somebody can sit right next to me, and I have absolutely no clue wtf they're saying.  

If you could figure a way to get the equip back in production I think you could make some serious bucks.
I don`t know if you realize it or not ,but you just wrote an awesome sales promotion ad with the above statement.  A guaranteed sales ad for a specific user target consumer group..------------------> The married male.

[MrRiplEy[H]]

Originally posted by Masherbrum
Actually I'm glad you are an enthusist like myself Ripley.  

Now a corner placement would be good, as long as other room treatments are implemented to offset.   Most people don't realize that.  

<> fellow HT guru

20 years of DIY audio. I design and build full-range electrostatic speakers.

[Masherbrum]

Originally posted by MrRiplEy[H]
20 years of DIY audio. I design and build full-range electrostatic speakers.

Really, maybe you could post some pics sometime Ripley.   I've always liked Martin Logans, Mangepans (Maggies) but fell in love with KEF's and Bowers & Wilkins.

[Rondar]

I've got a Panasonic model 900 projector in my basement along with a hi def sat receiver.  For sound I have my beloved Magnepans and use a tube preamp with adcom power amps along with a subwoofer.  Yes, 2 channel sound but fantastic 2 channel sound.  

I have heard surround and like it, however I also like what I have.  It just boils down to getting what you like and enjoying it.