Down the Rabbit Hole

[9397SVTs]

I have a less than optimum place for my 2 channel stereo listening and my 5.2 HT movie watching. Both are accomplished in the living room of an "open floor plan" layout.

The stereo and HT are separate entities, but share the same 2 subs.

2 Channel Stereo
B&W CM10 S2
Marantz SA8005 CD player
Parasound 5250 V2 amp
Parasound 2100 pre-amp
SVS SB 4000 sub (2)

5.2 Home Theater
75" Samsung TV
B&W HTM71 (center)
B&W 705 S2 (L/R)
B&W 707 S2 (surrounds)
SVS SB 4000 -2(Parasound 2100 pass-through)
Marantz 7011 AVR
Panasonic DB-UP9000
Sony UBP X800M2 (5.1 music)

The CM10's are 10' apart(C to C) and 13.3' from the listening position. They are toed-in to aim at the center of the main listening position. The tweeters are at ear level. The center channel is angled down to ear level. The surround tweeters are 18" above ear level, with a slight downward angle.

The front wall is 15 1/2' wide. The distance from the front to rear wall is 31 1/2'.

The combined area of the living room and kitchen is 4,707 cu ft. The total area, with the dining room, is 6,649 cu ft. The ceiling is 9' and the tray in the living room is 10'.

My goal and purpose for posting is to maximize the sound quality of both systems. I have ordered the miniDSP and UMIK-1 mike to help me understand where I am and where I need to be.

Currently, I am happy with the performance of both systems. However, I also know that tweaks can and should be made.

I attempted to upload pictures of the spaces and floor plan, but of course, the files are too large.

I look forward to learning from people here and from my own successes and failures.

 

[lovinthehd]

While we wait for pics

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Personally, I think you can have one system to rule them all. I also have a large openish space and in it I use 7.3.4 and 2ch when I so desire. I’ve spent much time moving my speakers around experimenting with toe in vs spacing from each other, and from the front wall. To me, I don’t think a guy needs two systems in one space, and it could possibly just make for two middling systems instead of one really badass one.
Now, I could be “all wet” and be totally missing something, but I’ve had many configurations and heard many systems. I vote one to rule them all.
Now, if a 2ch rig is totally something you need to follow down the rabbit hole, hopefully the other guys can point you to land, and get you what you want.

 

[lovinthehd]

Yeah fwiw I combine my music and video audio systems (4 rooms worth). In my least used room I have some of my 2ch only gear....

 

[9397SVTs]

My primary focus is 2 channel music. I considered trying an all inclusive set-up, but I thought it would be easier to do separate systems. I also have a separate system for my outdoor speakers.

The outdoor speakers, Sonnance Sonnoray, utilizes a Parasound 2250 V2, Parasound 2100 pre-amp, and a Yamaha CDC-697 CD player. It is tied into the Marantz 7011, via Zone 2.

 

[ryanosaur]

I agree... reproducing sound for music and HT is an INCLUSIVE pursuit. Sound reproduction is sound reproduction. If you have capable gear, then you are good. Unless of course you need Horns for HT and E-Stats for stereo.
That said, I know there is a lot of love for B&W gear... but you won't get any of that from me.

So up front:
What are you looking for.
What are you missing.
What do you need.

These are simple goals to express and quantify.

 

[ryanosaur]

My primary focus is 2 channel music. I considered trying an all inclusive set-up, but I thought it would be easier to do separate systems. I also have a separate system for my outdoor speakers.

The outdoor speakers, Sonnance Sonnoray, utilizes a Parasound 2250 V2, Parasound 2100 pre-amp, and a Yamaha CDC-697 CD player. It is tied into the Marantz 7011, via Zone 2.

I built my system around the fact I listen to 90, 95% music. I listen in 2.1 and 5.1 depending on the source material and its encoding. I NEVER listen to multi-channel stereo.
I use this same system for my forays into HT.
I chose speakers that have a flat and accurate response. They are neutral: they do not color the sound. What goes in is what comes out. To me, this is ideal for ANY Sound Reproduction.

You complicated your life.

 

[mazersteven]

You've created such a Mess.

 

[9397SVTs]

I am looking to identify weaknesses in the sound quality of my systems and identify actionable remedies.

I am missing knowledge and experience.

I need knowledge and experience.

As I start to gather measurements, I'll certainly need assistance with interpreting the information and determining the best way to make improvements.

Right now, the bass is great at the money spot, but inconsistent around the room.

 

[9397SVTs]

You've created such a Mess.

How so?

 

[9397SVTs]

I built my system around the fact I listen to 90, 95% music. I listen in 2.1 and 5.1 depending on the source material and its encoding. I NEVER listen to multi-channel stereo.
I use this same system for my forays into HT.
I chose speakers that have a flat and accurate response. They are neutral: they do not color the sound. What goes in is what comes out. To me, this is ideal for ANY Sound Reproduction.

You complicated your life.

I guess I'll just have to do the best I can with what I have.

 

[mazersteven]

I am looking to identify weaknesses in the sound quality of my systems and identify actionable remedies.

I am missing knowledge and experience.

I need knowledge and experience.

As I start to gather measurements, I'll certainly need assistance with interpreting the information and determining the best way to make improvements.

Right now, the bass is great at the money spot, but inconsistent around the room.

With an Open Floorplan it's really hard to obtain perfection. The Materials in the Room greatly affect sound quality.
Tweaking Speaker Placement is sometimes frustrating and rewarding at the same time.
And most of all - learning to be Happy with that you have to work with.

How did you figure out Subwoofer Placement???

 

[9397SVTs]

With an Open Floorplan it's really hard to obtain perfection. The Materials in the Room greatly affect sound quality.
Tweaking Speaker Placement is sometimes frustrating and rewarding at the same time.
And most of all - learning to be Happy with that you have to work with.

How did you figure out Subwoofer Placement???

The worst way possible, available space. I have them in the front corners, but have moved them around slightly. I can't really move them inside of the front speakers. I would have to move the fronts further apart, which would affect line of sight for the left speaker.

The flooring is ceramic tile on concrete. The living room and dining room have area rugs.

 

[mazersteven]

The worst way possible, available space. I have them in the front corners, but have moved them around slightly. I can't really move them inside of the front speakers. I would have to move the fronts further apart, which would affect line of sight for the left speaker.

That you tried to relocate one Sub to the Rear of the Room? Worth trying.

 

[9397SVTs]

That you tried to relocate one Sub to the Rear of the Room? Worth trying.

No. There really isn't a place to put it.

I'll have to get on my laptop and work on resizing my pictures so I can post them.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

No. There really isn't a place to put it.

I'll have to get on my laptop and work on resizing my pictures so I can post them.

Tapatalk works really well for iPhone and posting pics.

Also, front corners aren’t necessarily horrible for placement. I have 2/3 of mine corner loaded up front in corners. And the third one in the rear left lol. On concrete it can help since corner loading excites more room modes. Also big open concept rooms can be much easier to deal with bass since the long dimensions allow the deep bass waves to open up more without creating too many nulls. Cancellations are harder to deal with than peaks. If possible at all, without new placement anyway.

 

[mazersteven]

No. There really isn't a place to put it.

Everything in Life comes with Compromises. Moving something here or there. Rearranging. Little Tweaks

 

[9397SVTs]

Everything in Life comes with Compromises. Moving something here or there. Rearranging. Little Tweaks

I understand compromises. If I were single, this would be easy. I, however, am married and my wife doesn't share my interest in this endeavor. She has been understanding so far, but there are limitations.

 

[mazersteven]

I, however, am married and my wife doesn't share my interest in this endeavor. She has been understanding so far, but there are limitations.

 

[9397SVTs]

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