Room Acoustics

JDWEK -- It was kind of a funny scene... I am also a fan of Bugs and it could have been good 'toon material. I also caught the business from more than one that saw a screw every 3 inches... My floor doesn't make any noise any more...

Mes -- One thing I forgot -- are these Eidolons new, or not played often, or have been disconnected, moved, ect?? If so, let them break in for 500 hours and not worry about it(unless the bass sounds distorted or is breaking up). Avalons are by far the worst speaker to break in, requiring a lot of power and time. They will also get "cold" if not played at least once a week for a good listening session.

Agree that an active EQ trim at the problematic frequency can be an effective fix, if you've covered the other fundamentals (speaker placement, securing vibrating room elements, etc..

Rooms all have their own resonance, and few approach near neutrality, while many are simply problematic even when you do all the dirty work, spend a bunch on tube traps, etc..

Sometimes just a little trim at a problem frequency is so much more of an easy fix than infinately fussing and frustrating yourself...or, lighten your bass tone control slightly, if you have one. Yes, it's not purist to use tone controls, but you are looking for the overall best effect, and if improves things more than worsens them (hopefully much more), don't be too religiously against it.

Digital EQ should have the least negative effect, especially on phasing, but also a high quality analog EQ is not something to rule out. Used sparingly, mostly for cutting peaks (dips are often hard to add gain to, as they often are due to out of phase signals). Try to use it very sparingly, and only on the bands where it truly sounds good to use. Try keeping your adjustments to about 3db or less for least negative effects. I picked up a beautiful and really quite transparent Rane EQ at the Flea Market for $60. Rane makes alot of pro gear, and their analog EQs are quite nice.

Alternatively, try some different interconnects and maybe speaker cables. Some are lighter on bass than others, and the right one might just rid you of the bass bloat you are getting. If all else fails, remember that 99% there isn't so bad, and think of all the people putting up with all the pops, ticks, and warbles they get with their vinyl, and they still find the ability to love the heck out of it.

Jeff

I know exactly where your coming from once you mentioned having your speakers on a suspended floor. While J_K did a "bang up" job on describing a good plan of attack, that will still not keep the joists themselves from flexing. While it might not fit in with the decor in the basement, installing some bottle jacks and / or 4 x 4's to lift or brace the joists that flex the most will do wonders.

If i can remember correctly, i also think i remember a review in Stereophile talking about these speakers being the hardest to position and achieve good bass as compared to every other speaker that they have tried. Please correct me if i'm wrong and i DON'T mean this as an insult to you or your speakers in ANY way. I'm simply stating that you may not be alone in having this problem with those specific speakers. Sean
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Thanx to the above. The problem is at 80-90 Hz on test CD's.The house is nearly 90 yrs old, tudor, built l like a tank with non-suspended floors concrete and walls concrete and plaster. You can jump up and down with no give and squeeks. Unfortunately, the basement ceiling is finished, making access to the floor above impractical to say the least. Sean, no offense taken, I've heard that some rooms just aren't compatable with the Eidolons. Highdecibel-precisely, thats exactly what I've been thinking. Switching IC's, SC's, front end and amps hasn't made a significant difference. Maybe my room and speakers are like Bruce and Demi, not made to stay together for long. Anyone want some quilted cherry mint Eidolons cheap? Thanx for the comments, much appreciated. Mark

Mark,
I have a pair of eidolons and the ascents before them and I have found them difficult to position so they are at their best for bass extension. That is not quite what you are referring to but I have found peace of mine by using a sigtech for the same amount of money and significantly better WAF than the tube traps. Before you really consider getting rid of the speakers why not try a Tact or some other such system. Tact has a 3 week trial period with money back.
The only negative of the sigtech is that it ruined alot of my tinkering that I kind of enjoy doing. On the other hand I think I enjoy listening more now.

jd