Thoughts on Speaker Setup and Performance

chrstn · January 6

I’ve been testing various speaker setups recently and noticed how much the room acoustics can change the experience, even with high-end gear. Curious to hear how others here approach tuning and placement especially with midrange clarity and imaging.
Also, I’d be interested in any recent speaker models or brands you’ve found that punch above their weight in performance. Always looking to refine the setup and get the most out of a system.

mhardy6647 · January 6

I have... mixed opinions about over-striving for a perfect acoustical environment for a given set of loudspeakers. That said, REW and a good calibrated mic are good things to have. If nothing else, it lets one start to correlate what one hears to the way things are.

As to high value loudspeakers: My only contemporary (and that's even stretching the definition, sadly) datapoint is Polk's Reserve series. They're quite good sounding and not terribly expensive.

F1nut · January 6

AI

mhardy6647 · January 6

Whoops!

billbillw · January 6

I was just waiting for some recommendation with a link.

skipshot12 · January 7

Damn!
I still can't tell which is and which ain't....

chrstn · January 7

mhardy6647 wrote: »

I have... mixed opinions about over-striving for a perfect acoustical environment for a given set of loudspeakers. That said, REW and a good calibrated mic are good things to have. If nothing else, it lets one start to correlate what one hears to the way things are.

As to high value loudspeakers: My only contemporary (and that's even stretching the definition, sadly) datapoint is Polk's Reserve series. They're quite good sounding and not terribly expensive.

Thanks, that’s a fair point I’ve noticed sometimes chasing the “perfect” room can feel like diminishing returns. I do have REW set up and a calibrated mic, but I’m still learning to translate the measurements into audible improvements.

I’ll definitely check out the Polk Reserve series haven’t spent much time with them. Any particular model in that line you’d recommend for clarity and imaging?

F1nut · January 7

AI

Emlyn · January 7

I like to mount my Cerwin Vega XLS-215 speakers on the ceiling directly over my head. Never heard such enveloping sound and the bass from the dual 15" subwoofers is amazing. Room acoustics are no longer any concern.

The XLS-215 is the crown jewel of home audio. With dual 15” woofers, the XLS-215 delivers earth-shaking bass, thunderous power, and room-filling sound—ideal for large spaces and true audiophiles who demand nothing but the best.

Good anchor brackets are a good idea but not essential. I can move quick.

pitdogg2 · January 7

Emlyn wrote: »

I like to mount my Cerwin Vega XLS-215 speakers on the ceiling directly over my head. Never heard such enveloping sound and the bass from the dual 15" subwoofers is amazing. Room acoustics are no longer any concern.

The XLS-215 is the crown jewel of home audio. With dual 15” woofers, the XLS-215 delivers earth-shaking bass, thunderous power, and room-filling sound—ideal for large spaces and true audiophiles who demand nothing but the best.

Good anchor brackets are a good idea but not essential. I can move quick.

Awesomely Agree!!!

mpitogo · January 8

100% agree with room acoustics as well has placement type, in-room vs near field. For a while I had Ascend Acoustics Sierra LX in my office on speaker stands paired with a meaty Rotel integrated. The sound never quite stood out and I never got that "wow" from the speakers, both with (using highpass xo and without a sub). The "wow' came in for me when I switched it out for a B&W Formation Duo and Bass in the same positions. I couldn't believe how good the Formation system sounded, DSP magic. I ran REW and was astounded. The second "wow" was when I moved the Sierra LX as stand mounted (desk side) near field speakers without a sub slightly toed in and just an ML Forte amp. They sounded so good near field and close to a wall without plugging the rear port which helped balance the bass. Blows away Kef LSX II LT in a side by side, output switched between them level matched. LSX just sounded boxy, thin while the Sierra LX sang, imaging was so amazing and enveloping. And the LSX had help from a sub while the Sierra didn't. I moved the LSX to replace an Apple HomePod as speakers for the living room tv, paired with a sub, they sounded the best out of what I've tried. LG TV Speakers -> Apple HopePod -> LSX + Sub.

I've got the GR-Research cover upgrade for the Klipsch RP-600M coming in. I will see how the upgrade improves these speakers. They sound great paired with the ACA balanced mono's I built. Hopefully I'm in for a treat.

Geoff4rfc · January 11

Emlyn wrote: »

I like to mount my Cerwin Vega XLS-215 speakers on the ceiling directly over my head. Never heard such enveloping sound and the bass from the dual 15" subwoofers is amazing.

I tried that with my A9's....all four of them but......that many 7" woofers started my hair to fall out....

mpitogo · January 12

So the crossover actually does what it needs to do. I took before and after measurements with REW. One thing to note about the measurements, I took them at my main listening position with the speakers perfectly straight facing front not toed in. Now that the treble has been toned down, I can probably toe them in towards the listener. I got similar measurements to what GR-Research got.

mantis · 8:46PM

skipshot12 wrote: »

Damn!
I still can't tell which is and which ain't....

Where is the red flag ?

audioluvr · 9:07PM

chrstn. If you're not a bot or scammer give us some details about your location/life/equipment and it's history. Your journey. I mean you already duped Dan but that's easy to do...

Thoughts on Speaker Setup and Performance

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