New Space - Page 8

I would but I'm having too much fun with the latest commercial offerings.
It always remains an option.

Here is a copy of a post made in the HT Meet Thread regarding next Saturdays G2G.

I have sent out PM's and emails to all interested parties with directions. Yesterday, Vivitek confirmed that we will have an H9080FD LED projector here in time for the GTG. Jeff Permanian (JTR) will be installing new Xovers in my Triple 12LF's and 2 of his new Captivators bandpass subs. We will be EQ'ing the audio with several devices including a QSC DSP30 dedicated to the 4 Subs (Danley TH-SPUDS and Captivators).

When done, it will be an interesting setup and I'm looking forward to the opinions of the attendees. Those include Keith Yates (Keith Yates Design Group) and Roger Dressler (Dolby Labs) so even if the system doesn't meet your aesthetic, audio or video expectations, the knowledge, wisdom and great stories of those gentlemen should make the time well spent.

We can accommodate a couple more so if any late comers are interested PM me and I'll get you the info.

Thanks Dave,

I have posted these elsewhere but to update the HT Thread, here are some current pictures of the room. The JTR Captivator Subs are the latest addition. These are passive bandpass subs with a 12" internal driver, 18" passive radiator (on the front) and a slot port) driven by a 4000 watt pro audio amp.

I still have the Danley TH-SPUDS under the second row riser and when playing bass heavy movie scenes there is to quote Jerry Lee Lewis "a whole lotta shakin going on".

Sometimes seemingly subtle changes can make a big difference in sound.
This Friday evening and based upon some of recommendations made by Keith Yates (that's advice you need to take) at the G2G, I moved some of the existing panels around (ex. I moved 3 right wall 3.5 panels to the ceiling closer to the LCR and Captivator) and I also moved a 5 bass trap from the left rear corner bevel wall to the Center back wall.

I also purchased the Audyssey Pro Kit and ran a 12 point EQ of the room yesterday. Due to time constraints I did not tweak the Audyssey Curves and selected one of the default curves with a slightly rolled off high end. I did not tweak the Audyssey as it sounds great as is but I did notice that Audyssey had set the system hot. That required manual level cuts to get Integra test tones down to 75db. The SMS 1 is still in the signal chain but doing no EQ.

I did some listening to my most familiar Bluray demo material and noticed a fairly large difference (for the better) in low frequency rumble and slam. I also noticed better clarity/resolution of the high frequencies without loss of dynamics. Dialog intelligibility has also improved and I assume this is due to the improvements in HF resolution.

All in all, these small changes have made a very nice improvement in the system's sound. At this point, I think is fair to say that I am a Audyssey covert at least as far as the MulitEQ XT and the Pro Kit are concerned.

Couple of pics:\\

Hi Wilson, It was my pleasure. I was worried that the big bass hits demos we played might have frightened your wife off of more subs.

BTW, thanks for the tip on that Roy Orbison Bluray. I ordered it today.

Based upon the recommendation of a friend and as a reality check, we visited the local IMAX last night to see the 3D version of A Christmas Carol. We had not been out to a movie in several years so this was going to be a test of our evolving HT vs. one of the better commercial offerings. This was more of an audio comparison as the big screen 70MM superiority of IMAX is indisputable.

As expected, the IMAX screen and Image quality were excellent. The 3D effects were very cool and although the glasses are a little uncomfortable it was nice to see where 3D is at technically and visually. As you would expect in such a large room the soundstage (39 speakers) was huge with excellent dynamics and vocal clarity but the surround effects were much less impressive. There were many times when I was expecting more enveloping sound but it just never got there. I can think of only a couple of times during the film with effective surround sound. The bass was the biggest disappointment and I would be surprised if there was much if any <30hz content. That said it was loud but loud in the same way my system is, i.e. due to large dynamic peaks of the audio tracks. Your are cruising along at a 75-85db clip and wham the peaks jump up to 110db or more. What was missing in the IMAX presentation was the big tactile and aural bass hits that I now take for granted. It was funny to have my SO lean over to me during the film and whisper “they don’t have enough subwoofers”. Funny, that was exactly what I was thinking.

So overall, I would concede IMAX superiority to the 3D video and the front stage sound which were very good and arguably better than my system. But the surround sound and bass were far less impressive. Kind of what I expected and this pointed out the exact areas I intend to address in the future. I want to get a larger AT screen (AR TBD) and move the LCR off the floor and behind the screen. I believe that will address any short comings with the front soundstage. The projector is another matter and much more problematic. I am happy with the image quality of my JVC (HD-100) but concerned that its brightness isn’t up to a 130” or so screen (current is 106”). The other issue (and that one keeps me up at night) is screen AR. I know the arguments for 16:9 and 1.35 very well. With 3D capable projectors just around the corner, holding off a while on a video move seems prudent. In any case, I may or may not make a move in this direction soon.

The one thing I did not mention and the main reason I hate going to out to a movie is the people. I’m sure the room contained some very nice folks who under different circumstances I wouldn’t mind talking to or even breaking bread with, but damn there are some stupid unaware schlubs out there. I completely missed the first 5 minutes while my fellow IMAXer’s settled in. Arrive late, can’t find their seat (the IMAX was reserved seating), munching, slurping, burping, grunting, farting, cell phones, whining kids … you name it, they do it. I found myself morphing into Larry David (an already easy role for me to assume) and wanting to inform each and every offender of their short comings. Luckily, my SO was right there with me on this one. If anything, she is even less tolerant of the great unwashed masses.

Oh well, the experiment is over, the lessons learned and my obvious obsession for this hobby fully justified. I can now happily retreat to my cave and enjoy movies and concerts with only myself (and an occasional friend/neighbor) to annoy me.
YMMV

It is a "true" IMAX and minus the people, it's actually a pretty nice theater. I'm just spoiled and picky so I guess you could say I'm like Ebenezer Scrooge to the "I love to go out to the movies" crowd.

Hi Mike,
Your question prompted me to actually count them. I have mostly wall panels and two of the Pillar Bass Traps. It breaks down like this:

17- 242's (11 on the front wall, 6 on the ceiling)
4-244's (back wall)
2- Pillar Traps (back corners)

Per Keith Yates suggestions when he was here for the GTG in October, I moved my sidewall first reflection panels to the ceiling. He had several other suggestions but that was the quick and dirty (read no cost). Since Keith is one of the most knowledgeable people on the Planet in regard to acoustics, I thought it was wise to heed his suggestions.

I'm pretty happy with the current configuration.

Nothing like several hours of swimming in blown-in insulation to get my weekend off to a great start. Running the wire for the height channels (re-located surround back speakers) is complete and the speakers installed. I “finished" the install kind of late last night so only had time to run a quick 3 position Audyssey EQ before “show time” but the new Highs made an immediate impact on the sound.

We watched the new Night at the Museum BR and during my few waking moments (yes, that is a comment on this film ) the Height channels made for a wall of sound reminiscent of IMAX but also seemed to elevate the dialog from the under screen center to the apparent middle on my screen. The JTR Slanted 8’s have the perfect front baffle angle for my 9’ ceilings & mounting location. The sound they produce wasn’t localizable and they blended very well with my T12 LCR’s to produce the biggest most cohesive front stage sound I have heard. This movie has a nice surround mix with big dynamics and LFE. I did not notice the lack of surround back speakers and the huge front sound stage the heights help create made the trade off a no-brainer.

We then tried music using our current favorite Bluray Concert Video Jeff Beck live at Ronnie Scotts. We know this disk very well and at first at a moderate volume (-18 MV) the heights seemed to make the individual instruments and vocals less distinct. I then cranked the volume up a bit (-12) and things immediately changed. Instruments and vocals became crisp and clear. It was the loud but not sounding loud characteristic of high efficiency, low distortion speakers like the JTR’s. I can’t explain why the increased volume seemed to improve the SQ and more testing of the heights with music is in order. But for movies, the height channels do exactly what I was hoping they would … IMAX wall of sound and I think they look kind of cool. Humm, maybe I don’t need that AT screen after all…

And they look cool in a if Darth Vader had an HT kinda way:

Yes, Dynamic EQ is engaged and no I haven't had time to experiment.

Hi Wilson,

The grill of the high seaker front baffle is just outside of the soffit recess. The 30° baffle angle of the S8's is perfect for ceiling or high wall mounting.

I think ceiling treatments are very important and if done right can be very wife friendly. I used 2" L brackets to mount my ceiling panels.