Newbie in hifi

Hi all,

I am new to the world of hi fi etc.

I live in a condo and the only available place to park my impending hifi set is in one of the rooms which measures 9 x 11. I bought an integrated amp, CDP and two smallish floor standers.

Advice would be most appreciated. Thanks.

Exactly what advice are you looking for seeing that you have already bought your system. Placement ?

WongKN wrote:Exactly what advice are you looking for seeing that you have already bought your system. Placement ?

Yes, on a lark, I bought the equipment.

I read somewhere that a square room is not exactly ideal for sound etc. So yes, please advise on placement and simple treatments to optimize sound where possible. Thanks.

Audiosilly,



Best to have a listen to your set up first and tell us what is lacking/excessive.



i.e.: Too much bass, too little bass, poor imaging or soundstage etc.



Identify this, then it will be more practical to find a treatment to it.



You might be surprised that with your initial set up, it might already sound good to your ears with not much tweaking.



In that 9 x 11 ft area, how would your furniture arrangement be like? Sofa, rugs, etc??



What speakers are you using? That will help on whether it should be near the back wall or not.



Other members here will soon chip in more ideas.

You may want to start from HERE

Thank you guys for being so responsive.

1. There is a rug that takes up about two thirds of the room.

2. The set will be placed in front of the only window in the room (the 11 feet side)

3. A couple of four feet high bookcases to one side of the room.

4. A single arm chair.

5. Monitor Audio Silver Rs 6 floor standers.

Hope the info above helps.

Thanks all

Dr Who,

Thanks for the info. Will definitely read it later tonight.

audiosilly wrote: A couple of four feet high bookcases to one side of the room.

Hi audiosilly,

"symmetry" is a key word for me when setting up the audio rigs and speaker. I can't emphasize it more. So whatever you see on your left, make sure you replicate it on the right so that the time arrival of sounds be it direct and reflected sound towards the ear is coherent.



cheers.

Hi Wikin,

I suppose symmetry does make a lot of sense. I will set it up as best I can and update all you helpful people about sound etc. Perhaps even post a couple of pics for your comments and advice.

Thanks all..

Yes, post the pictures first.
Then list down the equipments, i.e. what CDP, what amplifier, what speakers, and so forth.

if your measurement given is in feet, and your speaker is a floodstander.., there is going to be an uphill cimb. As the speaker does really need space to breathe.

If u like the challenge, u can keep feeding back ur findings here and pictures of current room setup.. End of the day, ur room will look more like a half acoustic chamber.



If u are carefree type, do can consider putting everything in the guest hall.. it will be much easier.

I totally understand that we are all trying to assist audiosilly. All have good intentions. If getting started in HiFi is so difficult it will just put off many newbies in getting too serious in this hobby.
My suggestions to audiosilly is to enjoy hifi with what you have and slowly manoeuvre thru this complicated but enjoyable journey to achieve audio nirvana. Visit and listen to as many hifi setups as possible and learn from them. I am still learning and I have been playing hifi for about 30 years.

Totally agree with DrWho...enjoy your music first and then your hifi. Furthermore, your equipment has not fully run-in if its bought new. Your own 'sound preference' will slowly guide you to your optimum taste/placement through experience and trials.
Advises are just guidelines, not the rule........Have fun!

yes I agree with DrWho. As mentioned in my first posting. Set up your hifi and listen to it first. You might like it the way it is without much tweaking needed. Only if you do identify any shortcoming of the set up, then lets tweak it.

Well, I think audiosilly was hoping to get some tips and pointers on good rule of thumbs for system placement so that he can sit down for some listening. So he hopes that his first attempt would be reasonably good and he would get reasonably good sound because he would have avoided some of the many pitfalls in system placement. I.e. he hopes to avoid some of the mistakes beginners would likely make, by taping on the knowledge and experience of you guys and gurus.

I still think some photos and the identity of the equipments would be crucial before anything can be said.

"Too many cooks spoil the broth"

LOL.

Guys,

It's very heartwarming to have you guys jump in with advice and encouragement.

Yes, I will muck around with the placement etc and update you guys accordingly.

On the point about listening to as many setups as possible...., well that's going to be difficult as my friends are not into audio etc.

Is there a like minded group out there where I can "fraternise" with on a social basis? Beat's working late every night I am sure.

Thanks guys,

Audiosilly

@audiosilly

You have come to the right place and taken the right step to seek assistance. Hifi is one hobby where it is not prudent to have it in isolation. The more you move about with fellow audiophiles the faster you will learn and hopefully avoid pitfalls which will cost $$$.
There many groups of audiophiles, some are DIYers, some vinyl lovers, some super high enders etc. They tend to stick to their interest group and have regular get together visiting various setups and exchange ideas and views. You need to find and join one of these groups. Retail outlets are another place where you could visit and learn but they of course have commercial interest as well

DrWho wrote:@audiosilly

They tend to stick to their interest group and have regular get together visiting various setups and exchange ideas and views. You need to find and join one of these groups. Retail outlets are another place where you could visit and learn but they of course have commercial interest as well

Not forgetting, there's plenty of back stabbing if one is not careful with visitors too...

cheers..