Carpet and underlay sucking the life out of hifi

[Floyddroid]

Has any one got the same problem as me with their floor? I seem to have a lot of trouble attaining depth in my system even with my av system and subwoofer. I have a feeling it is down to the very thick carpet and underlay. any thoughts on the matter chaps.:scratch:

[Clive197]

Hi Steve

Very interesting, in my system the carpet and furnishings make for a dynamic and smooth sound which I really love. When I was in rented accommodation a few years ago the lounge had hard wood floors and the HiFi lacked any punch and dynamics , so I was very grateful to get back to my own house.

There seems to be a lot more going on here. When I was selling and installing A/V and HiFi a few years ago we always prefered the sound of a "soft" room. When a client had wooden floors and thin curtains we advised they get some rugs and lots of cushions to help with the overall sound of the system. I can only think that you've over cooked it somehow but would be very interested in hearing other peoples comments.

Clive

[Tarzan]

Is the floor the suspended wooden type?

[Macca]

I'd have thought too much damping would soften the sound a little and maybe kill the perception of dynamics a bit (although I can't see how it would affect actual dynamics) but would it reduce percieved bass depth? I can't see how.

[irb]

Heavy carpet/underlay will have some effect on the reflected sound in the room - but only in the treble and upper mids. This is a good thing - as a general rule, sound reproduction in domestic rooms is better when there is more direct sound and less reflected sound. Of course, the reality isn't quite as simple, but it's a good general rule of thumb.

Anyone who's ever played around with simple in-room measurements, such as with a sound meter and test tones, will be well aware how small movements of the measurement position lead to huge changes in frequency response. All down to reflections. It's amazing our ears can extract music from the mess!

[Mr Kipling]

I put the sat-on and bunged-up quality my system displays on the carpet and suspended floor.

Well, you've got to blame something, haven't you.

[Reffc]

The carpet and underlay won't be responsible Steve. To attenuate bass, they'd have to be a few feet thick! If it's bass issues only, it could be a combination of room dimensions (these affect bass performance more than anything), seating position relative to the bass nodes/antinodes (try putting a bass test tone on and walking slowly back from the speakers. You'll notice points of louder or softer bass at specific distances back). Could even be the sub positioning. You can reinforce the bass by placing the sub close to a rear or side wall. Avoid equi-distant placement from side/rear walls to avoid issues with boom or bass overhang. There could be null points as well at specific low frequencies which no amount of power will cure (cancellation nodes). If you've not already done it, borrow a room analyser. It's the only way of determining specific issues with bass to see if you can cure unwanted lifts at some frequencies and to determine if cancellation is going on. Always take measurements from your setaing position.

If you haven't got an analyser or mic, use your ears as a rudimentary indicator to see if different listening locations improve things, or play with speaker positioning.

[talisman2]

well , you could try putting your system out in the garden steve ?? failing that , there is a nice big house for sale in The Grove for around the £750,000 range , and it has nice big rooms (and a swimming pool)

[Floyddroid]

That's the easy way out Alf.

well , you could try putting your system out in the garden steve ?? failing that , there is a nice big house for sale in The Grove for around the £750,000 range , and it has nice big rooms (and a swimming pool)

[RichB]

You'll have to pop round ours Steve, when we redecorated last year a deep carpet and good underlay were high on my shopping list. We've also got a huge sofa and Mrs B in her line of work has collected more cushions than anyone should reasonably have!

None of this has been at the expense of the dynamics, the bass in my system is of course limited by the relatively small drivers in my floorstanders but none of that sweet mid was lost and there's no hardness to the top end either. Although it is to my taste. I do however find the system has a bit of a split personality, up to a point its relatively mild mannered and unassuming then I push the dial a bit and it just comes alive. A known quirk of the amp I use.

Just thinking a bit, is it not that you find listening at lower levels a bit unexciting? I sometimes do, or do you still find it dampened when you turn the wick up a bit?

[The Barbarian]

If i had no carpet & underlay my stereo would sound crap.

[Floyddroid]

Good point Rich. I will experiment at the weekend.
You'll have to pop round ours Steve, when we redecorated last year a deep carpet and good underlay were high on my shopping list. We've also got a huge sofa and Mrs B in her line of work has collected more cushions than anyone should reasonably have!

None of this has been at the expense of the dynamics, the bass in my system is of course limited by the relatively small drivers in my floorstanders but none of that sweet mid was lost and there's no hardness to the top end either. Although it is to my taste. I do however find the system has a bit of a split personality, up to a point its relatively mild mannered and unassuming then I push the dial a bit and it just comes alive. A known quirk of the amp I use.

Just thinking a bit, is it not that you find listening at lower levels a bit unexciting? I sometimes do, or do you still find it dampened when you turn the wick up a bit?

[Floyddroid]

Andre, why don't you haul ass up to Nebo 4 next month, it would be great to meet you.
If i had no carpet & underlay my stereo would sound crap.

[RichB]

Andre, why don't you haul ass up to Nebo 4 next month, it would be great to meet you.
+1 friendly folks, good banter, gear old n new, high probability of prog being played:lol: