Kwarny's Apartment Setup

Apartment:

Electronics
-PS3 (fat)
-Denon AVR-1610 (No Audyssey - past roommate's dog ate the mic)
-M-Audio Fast Track USB Audio Interface
-Behringer ECM8000 Mic Calibrated from Cross Spectrum Labs

TV
-Pansonic TC-P55GT30

Speakers
-Ascend Acoustics CMT-340SE (2)
-VA321 X-Omni (2)(Borrowing from Tesseracts - Big Thanks)
-DS1500 Rythmik Subwoofer Kit


Pictures and Measurements

Ascend Acoustics 340-SE













Only for movies




Subwoofer Placement Locations (Green to show best placement spot left of the TV). The unchecked marks are all from the right side.





Crossover - The dip around 53 Hz increases maybe due to the port from the speaker?





Left, Right speaker Measurement





Toe-In Difference. I tried placing the mic close to my ears location when seated. I should try spatially averaging the area in the future. I prefer listening with the speakers straight ahead.





Unsmoothed Frequency Response





Envelope Time Curve with speakers straight ahead.





Waterfall

VA321 X-Omni

Before I moved the sub






Ascend retest to see the difference in response to mic placement. I tried to put the mic in the same location.





Left, Right speaker Measurement




Toe-In Difference.





Unsmoothed Frequency Response





Envelope Time Curve with speakers straight ahead.

I've been comparing the Ascends with the X-Omnis the last two weeks. The Omnis need to be at least 3 feet from each wall. Even with this distance, the speakers still sounded off. The Omnis sound the best to me at this distance. I'm guessing the reflections off the tv and the entertainment center caused me to move these this close. The Ascends sound really good at this spot too. The biggest drawback is the smaller soundstage but the timbre and imaging are probably the second best I've had it out of the last 7 rooms (college kid). I plan on experimenting more with the Ascends after I finish my impression of the X-Omnis.

I think we are watching movies at -22 dB and sometimes turn it down to -24 since we afraid of offending the neighbors. I am use to listening from -12.5 to -15 dB.


Thanks for the warning . I fought these off and sent them back (one stand length and width to be precise). When would you like me to bankwire the rescue funds to your account ?



The speakers were close since I wanted to leave with the best impression of the X-Omnis. The Ascends are monoploar while the X-Omnis are omnipolar. I was curious to hear the difference in the radiation pattern from the drivers. It is recommended for omnipolar speakers to be at least 3 feet from the walls (surfaces). I compared the Ascends and X-Omnis in the same spot since I did not want to put the apple in a basket and the orange in a bowl. I added the X-Omnis measurements. There is definitely more room interaction.

I have no center or surrounds (borrowing the surrounds) . I won't buy a center until I purchase my reference system (after buying house). I only have one shot to spend a couple thousand or otherwise the significant other will be upset .


The surrounds are close to subdue the reflections from the side walls and otherwise these would be in the way. Not much room in a one bedroom apartment. I level match these with the pillows on the floor. The pillows are usually on the couch for movies which reduces the level by about 2-3 dBs. The setup is not ideal but when sitting in the middle of the couch the surrounds add a nice subtle touch. I put the surrounds wires away after movies but the main speakers wires are useful for strengthening the hips flexors .

I don't plan on buying acoustic treatment until I plan on living in a place for a few years. What may look good in the dedicated theater may not match the theme for the living room years before the theater. I don't know the size of future rooms either. I would prefer to have all my corner bass traps the same style instead of buy some now and buy some later which may be a different style. I have only almost broke down and bought room treatments about 365 times the last year so must stay strong (huge difference with these). Room treatments and speaker kits are my weakness .

I think I will pass on Audyssey (for various reasons) until after I treat my room. It will be fun to see the difference in measurements from the various future rooms without EQ (maybe one PEQ down low).

I did move my speakers back as planned once I listened enough to both speakers (also took measurements). Just curious, can you describe what should happen by moving my main speakers back (the Ascends)?

Nice to meet you all . The comedy is appreciated.

I wonder if we bought the same car.


The funny thing is that it is her apartment. She actually enjoys the speakers with the right station on pandora. I could probably up the speaker budget with some Mary Kay Pink speakers. She has mentioned that before. I'm still not sure if I should take her up for that.

I still live with three other roommates so I didn't have room for all this equipment and since I move next week into another temporary house for the summer.

She has not got any complaints but I assume that it because her neighbor always apologizes if he is too loud. I really like the sub. It is great for learning since there are so many options. It does have a unique lack of sound. I have a hard time to get it sound offensive. The only time I thought it sounded boomy was when I put it in a small room that was 8*10. Two of these would be enough for my output so I am not sure if I should have Salk or Funkywaves make me 2 (not black) or if I should build 4 more by myself since I now have a router.

Reserved for the Ascend's current location

Whoops, I forgot about this thead . I read that once and wondered what would change with the speakers actually built to specification. As of now, the 340-SE, Waf-1, and Sho-10 are probably more similar.