| My impression of this room was that it sounded
like a super-sized version of a typical mid-fi system, for example,
say,
one with Definition speakers and Adcom amplification. Probably
perfect for someone transitioning to the high-end, or someone who
just may not wish for anything better - kind of like someone who buys a big
American SUV. [I think I'll exit this paragraph quietly before I get
into real trouble :-)], I use “Mid-Fi” as an abbreviation
for a system that has so many problems I grow weary of describing
them.
In this case, the notes were attenuated more quickly [dampened]
than what I consider high-end [and some died out more quickly than
others], the dynamics was more uneven top to bottom than what one
might expect from the high-end [the upper-mids had more
midi-dynamics than the rest of the frequencies, which had little
to none], there was no micro-dynamics to speak of, harmonic color
was almost non-existent, separation was problematic and uneven
across the dynamic and frequency band more so than is standard…
and I didn’t listen to check the imaging, soundstaging, air,
emotion, etc.
We are starting something new - offering opinions on how to
make under-performing show systems sound better next year. Not
like the Mixibitors, which move compoentns from room to room, but
things an audiophile might try if this was their system.
As we look at the system here to try to determine how to
optimize it, it already looks pretty darn well optimized. They got
Finite Elemente stands under the amps [looks like the big amp in
the middle is not being used - if it is then THAT needs to be on a
vibration control stand too]. Good source equipment, also on a
rack with some amount of vibration control. Not sure what cables
they are using, put presumably with all the work they put into
everything else, they are decent cables.
We have to at least congratulate them on doing the right things
here - and either the VTL + Wilson combo is just irredeemably bad
[as this room sounds like all other, un-optimized systems like
this we have heard at other shows], or, unfortunate for us all who
might have got to hear an optimized VTL + Wilson system, this room
was causing real problems [but unlike the MBL room, these speakers
are of common size and positionability - so that should not be the
case]. |
