Setting up your system. Your questions answered...for newbies

treitz3
treitz3 Posts: 19,029
edited February 2013 in 2 Channel Audio
Good afternoon fellow Polk Forum members. I thought I would post this video for those who have questions about setting up their system. While this may be redundant for some, it sets somewhat of a good foundation for those who are new to this hobby. Over the years, we have seen thread after thread that seemingly ask the same questions over and over from new new folks that would like to learn about or enjoy our hobby. The video below might help answer some of those questions for those who may not be as experienced as others on this board. Please note - you may want to come back to this when you have some time to sit down and watch the entire thing. It's not a 5 minute video. It's actually a little over 48 minutes long.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NdpLAeZvEs

Now, I will say that not everything presented is as black and white or set in stone as we'd like it to be and in some cases, his advice can be situation dependent but as a general foundation for achieving good sound, I felt this might be helpful to those who haven't been around the block a time or twelve. Enjoy FWIW to you.

I'd like to invite other Polk forum members to add anything to this thread that would be a helpful resource for new folks, assisting them in learning how to optimize their system.

Tom
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on
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Comments

  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited February 2013
    they should have the costs of each improvement change in the upper corner up or down. i bet the still points cost more than my system.:cry:
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,287
    edited February 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    i bet the still points cost more than my system.:cry:

    Yes sir....He had 6 speaker pucks in the video for $4200...ouch

    http://www.musicdirect.com/p-81969-stillpoints-ultra-5-risers.aspx
    2-channel: Modwright KWI-200 Integrated, Dynaudio C1-II Signatures
    Desktop rig: LSi7, Polk 110sub, Dayens Ampino amp, W4S DAC/pre, Sonos, JRiver
    Gear on standby: Melody 101 tube pre, Unison Research Simply Italy Integrated
    Gone to new homes: (Matt Polk's)Threshold Stasis SA12e monoblocks, Pass XA30.5 amp, Usher MD2 speakers, Dynaudio C4 platinum speakers, Modwright LS100 (voltz), Simaudio 780D DAC

    erat interfectorem cesar et **** dictatorem dicere a
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited February 2013
    Thanks Tom I will check it out.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    Do those things really work? I've played around with cheaper ones and never been able to tell the difference. The glass cd is interesting. Thanks for sharing.
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  • zane77
    zane77 Posts: 1,696
    edited February 2013
    I would really loved to have been there to hear the differences
    Home Theater
    Onkyo PR-SC5508 Sharp LC-70LE847U
    Emotiva XPA-5 Emotiva XPA-2 Emotiva UPA-2
    Front RTi-A9 Wide RTi-A7 Center CSi-A6 Surround FXi-A6 Rear RTi-A3 Sub 2x PSW505
    Sony BDP-S790 Dishnetwork Hopper/Joey Logitech Harmony One Apple TV
    Two Channel
    Oppo 105D BAT VK-500 w/BatPack SDA SRS 2.3 Dreadnought Squeezebox Touch Apple TV
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited February 2013
    I will also include some more speaker set up links for your review. This goes a little bit more than beyond the basics but if you have one of these types of speakers or even if you are an experienced veteran of the forum, you may be interested in reading some of the links offered below.

    SUMIKO speaker setup [not the real one from the MASTERS setup but one that you may want to read or try - The real Sumiko Setup will never be posted online as it is proprietary]
    http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=60819.0

    TAD speaker set-up
    http://www.whatsbestforum.com/showthread.php?8350-TAD-owners-speaker-setup

    THIEL speaker setup
    http://thielaudio.com/THIEL_Site05/Pages/FAQs/faqplacement.html

    MARTIN LOGAN speaker setup
    http://www.martinlogan.com/pdf/manuals/manual_scenario.pdf

    GENESIS ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES speaker setup
    http://www.genesisloudspeakers.com/whitepaper/Genesis_Loudspeaker_Setup_Procedure.pdf

    AUDIO PHYSIC speaker setup
    http://audiophysic.de/aufstellung/beispiel_e.html

    WILSON AUDIO speaker set-up
    http://www.wilsonaudio.com/pdf/manual_soph2.pdf

    CARDAS speaker setup
    http://www.cardas.com/pdf/roomsetup.pdf

    EVOLUTION ACOUSTICS speaker setup
    http://www.evolutionacoustics.com/support/speaker-placement/
    and go to the support drop down

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • Ern Dog
    Ern Dog Posts: 2,237
    edited February 2013
    Great video. Watched the whole thing.
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited February 2013
    Finally watched the whole video. Notice no electronics were between the speakers.
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  • xftman
    xftman Posts: 153
    edited February 2013
    Thanks! I will watch later.
    MAIN:
    Front- LsiM 707 (MIT Terminator 2 Bi-Wire),
    Center- lsiM 706,
    Surrounds- lsi F/X,
    Power sub PSW1000,
    Receiver- Harman Kardon Avr 3700,
    Amp - Emo XPR-5.

    Secondary (2.1):
    LsiM 703,
    HK Avr 3700,
    Yaqin MS-30L,
    Polk DSW-PRO 400.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    Some odd things I came across on the video. I thought I heard him say that the 60hz line power is a mechanical vibration? Another thing is he mentioned that when the system wasn't set up right, the song ended up sounding happy instead of sad.
    No disrespect to him and his crew, but I think it's bogus. A sad song will sound sad on a pair of cheap ear buds or high end system. If it takes tens of thousands of dollars to bring out the emotions in music, I sure am glad I don't have his pair of ears.
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  • marvda1
    marvda1 Posts: 4,901
    edited February 2013
    remember, he's an editor and may get a few things free:lol:
    Amplifiers: Norma IPA 140, MasterSound Compact 845, Ayre v6xe, Consonance Cyber 800
    Preamp: deHavilland Ultraverve 3
    Dac: Sonnet Morpheus 2, Musical Paradise mp-d2 mkIII
    Transport: Jay's Audio CDT2 mk2, Lumin U1 mini
    Speakers: Rosso Fiorentino Volterra II
    Speaker Cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Organic Audio Organic Reference 2
    Interconnects: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2, Argento Organic Reference 2, Argento Organic 2
    Power Cables: Argento Organic Reference, Synergistic Research Foundation 10 and 12 ga.
    Digital cables: Crystal Clear Magnum Opus 2 bnc, Tellurium Q aes, Silnote Audio Poseidon Signature 2 bnc
    Puritan PSM156
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  • erniejade
    erniejade Posts: 6,321
    edited February 2013
    interesting to watch.
    Klipsch The Nines, Audioquest Thunderbird Interconnect, Innuos Zen MK3 W4S recovery, Revolution Audio Labs USB & Ethernet, Border Patrol SE-I, Audioquest Niagara 5000 & Thunder, Cullen Crossover II PC's.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited February 2013
    organ wrote: »
    ..I think it's bogus.
    I tapped out early on this one.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    marvda1 wrote: »
    remember, he's an editor and may get a few things free:lol:

    Tru dat:wink:.
    FTGV wrote: »
    I tapped out early on this one.

    LOL However, the last part with the glass cd is quite interesting. First I've heard of it.
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited February 2013
    organ wrote: »
    LOL However, the last part with the glass cd is quite interesting. First I've heard of it.
    I tried to hang in there but once the fancy little metal thingies went under the power strip I knew it was time to reach for my mouse and click the stop button.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited February 2013
    Well, I can't argue that one FTGV. Perhaps something like [url]http://dagogo.com/hb-cable-designs-powerstar-horizon-high-end-power-distribution-review[/url] would work a little better. Well, that is if you use a power strip to begin with. A dedicated line or line(s) with proper grounding phasing and techniques would be my choice over either, truth be told.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • FTGV
    FTGV Posts: 3,649
    edited February 2013
    Well to be clear it was the addition of the expensive fancy metal cones not his chosen power distribution device itself that convinced me he was headed in a direction that would likely not be the same as I would go.Now if he was doing a good tutorial on how improving the rooms acoustics can have very large sonic benifits,then he would have had my full attention.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,029
    edited February 2013
    Actually, that's a good suggestion for this thread. Does anybody have a video we could include that can demonstrate a good foundation for room acoustics? Of course, this can be a highly debatable subject but just something that would explain the basics for the new kid in town would be nice.

    Tom
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • sodablue
    sodablue Posts: 24
    edited February 2013
    treitz3 wrote: »
    Well, I can't argue that one FTGV. Perhaps something like [url]http://dagogo.com/hb-cable-designs-powerstar-horizon-high-end-power-distribution-review[/url] would work a little better. Well, that is if you use a power strip to begin with. A dedicated line or line(s) with proper grounding phasing and techniques would be my choice over either, truth be told.

    Tom

    I have my electricity personally generated by gerbils in a cage. I tried squirrels but the crosstalk was terrible.
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  • Jhayman
    Jhayman Posts: 1,548
    edited February 2013
    Oh my God, I'm shutting my yapper on this..
    This is not for newbies..
    ATC SCM40's,VTL TL 2.5 Preamp,PSB Stratus Goldi's,McCormack DNA 500,McCormack MAP-1 Preamp,Pro-Ject Xtension 10 TT,Ortofon Cadenza Red/Nordost RedDawn LS Speaker cables, Bryston BDP-2, Bryston BDA-2,PS Audio AC-3 power cables
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  • michael1947
    michael1947 Posts: 775
    edited February 2013
    Great video, watched the whole thing and e-mailed it to myself. Thanks.
    Main Family Room: Sony 46 LCD, Sony Blue Ray, Sony DVD/VCR combo,Onkyo TXNR 708, Parasound 5250,
    Polk SDS-SRS with mods, CSI 5 center + Klipsch SC2, Polk RT2000P rears, Klipsch KG 1.5's sides, Polk Micro Pro 1000, Polk Micro Pro 2000, Polk SW505, Belkin PF60, Signal Cable Classics,Monster IC's, 2 15 amp circuits & 1 20 amp circuit.

    Living Room: Belkin PF60, Parasound HCA2200, MIT ProlineEXP balanced IC's,Emotiva XDA-1 DAC/Pre,Emotiva ERC2 transport,MIT AVT2, Polk LSI 9's.
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2013
    FTGV wrote: »
    I tapped out early on this one.

    Me too. Such BS.
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    FTGV wrote: »
    Now if he was doing a good tutorial on how improving the rooms acoustics can have very large sonic benifits,then he would have had my full attention.

    I agree. I still watched the entire thing lol.

    He also forgot to mention that placing the puck raises the height of the speakers. I'm guessing 2-3"? That alone will make quite a difference.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2013
    organ wrote: »
    I agree. I still watched the entire thing lol.

    He also forgot to mention that placing the puck raises the height of the speakers. I'm guessing 2-3"? That alone will make quite a difference.
    Depending on the speaker.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    True. I haven't heard them all, but only with Maggies and electrostats I couldn't detect a difference. I'm sure there are others. I feel sorry for the poor guy sitting on the floor.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2013
    Driver type and orientation plus crossover order are the biggest influences, IMO.

    http://www.musicanddesign.com/Power.html
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • organ
    organ Posts: 4,969
    edited February 2013
    Face wrote: »
    Driver type and orientation plus crossover order are the biggest influences, IMO.

    http://www.musicanddesign.com/Power.html

    Interesting, but can't say I understand all of it. All those math formulas reminded me of my EE classes. Thanks for the link.
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