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Muffled vocals

I have positioned my speakers every way imaginable and I just can't get the vocals the way I want. They're centered, but they seem like they're in the background.  I want them more up front.  I've tried various toeing methods and room treatment but they still seem a little muffled.  My equipment: Lyngdorf TDAI-2200 integrated, Marantz CD6006, Tyler Acoustics D-20, Anti-Cables, Audioquest digital cable.  I know the recording can have a lot to do with it, but Steely Dan's Aja is known for the recording quality and Donald Fagen is in the back.  My terminology no doubt betrays my lack of sophistication when it come to audio, but I know something's not right.  Any suggestions?
cal91
elizabeth
6,726 posts
 
When I got a new DAC/SACD player, (and pretty new way better speakers) I found using female vocals I could better arrange the speakers to give me a better defined soundstage with perfect vocal reproduction.. ONLY by moving the speakers to find that spot.It was close to where I had them, but without moving them the vocals were still indistinct. It was a matter of inches.
tecknik
160 posts
 
The distance between the from wall and side walls need to be greater. The front wall is for base and soundstage, the side walls are for timber and image . You need to find a good recording like Jennifer Warrens Famous Blue Raincoat where her voice is dead center and adjust your speakers front to back till her voice is dead center. Your speakers at 30 from the front and 28 from the sides are to similar, try further apart and adjust the toe in so you can barely see the inner side of the cabinet. The distance between the speakers and your listening position should be 1.2 X the distance of the distance between your tweeters.

The above speaker suggestion is WASP and takes time to fully understand and get correct but if you take the time you will be greatly rewarded. Speaker placement I believe is another component and is as important has your other primary source,dac/server, TT, pre, amp, power, cables.
tecknik
160 posts
 
The front wall is for bass' not base.
jdave's avatar
jdave
26 posts
 
Geez mon, I hope we're allowed spelling errors. Lol.
As soon as I read your bit about the similar dimensions side and front, it clicked. Yes, everything I read suggested unequal distances.
I was concentrating so much on the music, and trying to ID and assess the changes that I forgot that point.
It sounds pretty good right now, but not for all genres of music. Rock, female vocal and orchestra are quite good, but Jazz doesn't stage well.
I'll alter the dimensions this week and maybe I can improve it more.
Thanks.

Dave.

jdave's avatar
jdave
26 posts
 
And Elizabeth, I've been using some well-recorded Mozart, Pink Floyd, and Linda's 'Heart Like A Wheel' album as a control pieces to try to get the speakers in the perfect place. (perfect ... sure).
I tried to choose artists that I wouldn't get tired of listening to. I love the sound of Linda's voice; never get tired of it. And it stages well, too.
I have the current placement taped, so I'll shift them a little more.
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