brass outlet covers...anyone try them? Sound good

Jea48,
I did the comparison tonight. It was intersting and anyone who says covers don't make a dif. probably have ears that can not hear the differences.

I compared my brass outlet, pass and seymore plastic, and a 51 cent magnetic steel from home depot. I used the same center screw and tightness for all plates.

Well, this was no contest and here are my findings

The pass and seymore seem to lack in the focus. There seem to be a loss of a little life.

The 51 cent magnetic steel seem to lack slightly in the pace and rhythem. What I did not like about it is it seem to add a sense of roughness or unnatural sound.

The brass outlet was a really sweet deal. The first thing I liked was its good pace and rythem. It was very crisp. It had a better sense of resolution to it and life and the focus was the best yet.
I then thought, why not add a second brass outlet on top of the other one to add more brass bulk for better resonance. Boy, was I wrong! Did the pace and rhythem take a big hit.

I also then messed with the position of the center screw. Having it really tight was like taking the air out of the music. Having it really loose (sticking out slightly) seem to have a bit loss in the focus. Having it tighted just by hand so it is just snug proved to be the winner.

Call me a geek...I already do!!!

I found some very heavy cast brass covers at a second hand store years ago. they are all 3/16" to 1/4" thick in a lovely design. I use them in the living room with my stereo, but I NEVER put them in there to alter the sound. Lucky for me they are very nice loking, and what they do to the sound is obviously not actually hearable. What soap I bathed with, and what shampoo I used may have more influence than outlets....
Are you 'super' tweakers displaying other psychotic symptoms, IMO.
(8^Q...

I don't doubt there are differences in sound with various materials covering the outlet. The cover plate can be a drum head for vibration, transmitting into the AC connection.

So, depending on how close your speakers are, room construction, type of AC outlet and overall system performance it could make a nice improvement in sound when you swap out the cover.

I've done a number of comparisons and found (magnetic) steel to be the worst and the stock hard plastic ones (found in most homes), acceptable.

However, the soft Nylon covers labeled "unbreakable," the ones that are easily twisted with your fingers, performed best in my system.

Regardless, all these tweaks are CHEAP, generally .69 cents to a few bucks, so your next trip to Home Depot consider buying few to try in your own system. Worst case, you might be inspired to clean your AC plugs male connectors with Caig Gold and replace those old scratched up outlet covers.

Before anyone criticizes wall plates and those that wish to experiment, ask yourself if you've ever bought anything for your home or car because it looked nice and only cost a couple of bucks.

This is supposed to be a fun hobby. No harm in experimenting and showing pride in your music making machine.

Albertporter,
I will have to check on the covers that read unbreakable. I was going to go around my house and see if I have anything different. I was not nuts about the plastic pass and seymore, but like you said it was acceptable. I could not deal with the magnetic steel one however

Try the brass next time your at the Depot

How about brass clocks and rocks? Do they work as well?