I just swapped out a pair of 802N for B&W 802D speakers recently and did notice a significant improvement. I'm not sure if the 802D are just way better or that the 802N were just never good enough.
Besides the speaker change I knew I could improve my 20x24 room with vaulted ceilings and horrible acoustics. The room was just too "live" and you could prove it by clapping your hands anywhere in the room.
Also when my 802N's were in my old apartment, they sounded much better and the bass was much more controlled and "dynamic". My room created a bass hole (the best description I could come up with). At first I thought it was just because the room was too big. I did notice that the front corners of the room and the side wall areas were pretty bass heavy when you stood there. This bass just wasn't emanating to my sitting position.
After reading a few websites I ordered a few acoustic "treatments". I figured my bass was being cancelled out and not that the speakers weren't producing it.
I sent off for:
16 Auralex Sonoflat 2x2 foot panels.
8 Auralex LENRD Bass trap corner 1x2 foam pieces.
6 ceiling absorption tiles (I haven't received these yet)
4 Echobusters brand "Corner Busters"
Basically the goal was to improve bass and reduce echos. The minute I threw the bass traps into the corners (3 on the left front and 3 on the right front) and 2 in the back.... the improvement to the bass was astounding. All that control and perfection you expect from B&W speakers with a $12000 price tag... I found it!
Then I threw the Auralex sonoflat panels up at a few of the primary reflection points and then the second miracle occured. Instead of sounding loud and very much "fatiguing", I can get so much more detail without cranking up the volume now. Even before, turning up the volume meant it was louder but not more detailed.
Now you can clap your hands and you can only hear one echo, not 3-4. My echobusters corner triangles and the ceiling foam tiles haven't come in yet and things already are sounding so much better. Once I add these, I hope I don't deaded the room too much. I'm going to experiment with them a little to see before I actually permanently install all the pieces.
The last thing I could conceivably do is buy some diffusion panels to reduce some echo but not necessarily deaden the room too much.
The approximate cost so far was around $1000 which is likely more than was needed. With a slightly cheaper brand I might have accomplished this with some foam kits but they might not look as good as the stuff I have now. I also could have spent a LOT more on the venture given the vast array of "Designer" materials that look really good. I haven't setup any curtains or anything to conceal any of the panels since I got colors that reasonably match the room colors.
For anyone who hasn't tried this or who has wondered if it was worth the money.... the effect is FAR more dramatic than making ridiculous power cord or interconnect change. The effect is greater than 90% of amplifier changes you will make. It's not as glamorous since it's not a piece of electronics and the marketing is not as fancy as for your latest titanium, gold, and silver encrusted toslink cable. The effect is so great that I would argue you shouldn't even BOTHER buying anything expensive unless you plan to do some room adjustments. Some rooms are probably perfect as-is... but most could probably use some help.
Get creative and you can conceal some of the treatments as well. You can even add certain furniture to "room treatments" that affect the sound.
Besides the speaker change I knew I could improve my 20x24 room with vaulted ceilings and horrible acoustics. The room was just too "live" and you could prove it by clapping your hands anywhere in the room.
Also when my 802N's were in my old apartment, they sounded much better and the bass was much more controlled and "dynamic". My room created a bass hole (the best description I could come up with). At first I thought it was just because the room was too big. I did notice that the front corners of the room and the side wall areas were pretty bass heavy when you stood there. This bass just wasn't emanating to my sitting position.
After reading a few websites I ordered a few acoustic "treatments". I figured my bass was being cancelled out and not that the speakers weren't producing it.
I sent off for:
16 Auralex Sonoflat 2x2 foot panels.
8 Auralex LENRD Bass trap corner 1x2 foam pieces.
6 ceiling absorption tiles (I haven't received these yet)
4 Echobusters brand "Corner Busters"
Basically the goal was to improve bass and reduce echos. The minute I threw the bass traps into the corners (3 on the left front and 3 on the right front) and 2 in the back.... the improvement to the bass was astounding. All that control and perfection you expect from B&W speakers with a $12000 price tag... I found it!
Then I threw the Auralex sonoflat panels up at a few of the primary reflection points and then the second miracle occured. Instead of sounding loud and very much "fatiguing", I can get so much more detail without cranking up the volume now. Even before, turning up the volume meant it was louder but not more detailed.
Now you can clap your hands and you can only hear one echo, not 3-4. My echobusters corner triangles and the ceiling foam tiles haven't come in yet and things already are sounding so much better. Once I add these, I hope I don't deaded the room too much. I'm going to experiment with them a little to see before I actually permanently install all the pieces.
The last thing I could conceivably do is buy some diffusion panels to reduce some echo but not necessarily deaden the room too much.
The approximate cost so far was around $1000 which is likely more than was needed. With a slightly cheaper brand I might have accomplished this with some foam kits but they might not look as good as the stuff I have now. I also could have spent a LOT more on the venture given the vast array of "Designer" materials that look really good. I haven't setup any curtains or anything to conceal any of the panels since I got colors that reasonably match the room colors.
For anyone who hasn't tried this or who has wondered if it was worth the money.... the effect is FAR more dramatic than making ridiculous power cord or interconnect change. The effect is greater than 90% of amplifier changes you will make. It's not as glamorous since it's not a piece of electronics and the marketing is not as fancy as for your latest titanium, gold, and silver encrusted toslink cable. The effect is so great that I would argue you shouldn't even BOTHER buying anything expensive unless you plan to do some room adjustments. Some rooms are probably perfect as-is... but most could probably use some help.
Get creative and you can conceal some of the treatments as well. You can even add certain furniture to "room treatments" that affect the sound.
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