(Nearly) Free Tweaks

[Early B.]

It's been a while since we listed our favorite tweaks. This time, let's confine it to free or cheap tweaks.

Of course the obvious ones involve screwing around with placement and toe-in. Another simple tweak is taking the grilles off the speakers. But my favorite cheap tweak would have to be putting a concrete paver under my sub.

[neomagus00]

being the scientist type that i am, and a novice in the HT world, an explanation of WHY this is a good tweak would be cool too... the first three of early b.'s i understand, the slab i do not... why?

[VR3]

Slabs isolate the subwoofer from the floor, lessen the chances of your floor becoming a trampoline and resorts to cleaner, more accurate bass...

I think crossover upgrades should be at the top of the list...

The no grill thing is an excellent point... mainly because grill cloth damps the highs around 13khz... - or sometimes the grills just suck (Infinity Beta)...

Placement...well I've started quite a long thread on that one...

[Emlyn]

If one has a pair of SDA's, which go close to the back wall by design, try putting a soft wall hanging (decorative blanket or rug) on the wall between the speakers. If you can avoid it, do not put large glass objects, like mirrors or large TV's between speakers for two channel systems. This made a big difference in soundstage depth with mine.

[steveinaz]

My 2 favorite nearly free tweaks:

1. Placing speakers on tile/slab when the room is carpeted
2. Cable management. Many people overlook good cable management, they have these huge, expensive systems and cables everywhere. AC laying on speaker cables, laying on IC's....nasty. Clean those runs up and pitch the AC line conditioner (you won't need it no mo'). My system is deadly quiet.

[Emlyn]

Double-sided strips of velcro for cable management. Cheap and very effective, easy to undo if cable swapping.

[michael_w]

Kind of a placement thing but make sure tweeters are at ear level.

Replacing the jumpers is really cheap and easy but it's up to you to decide if you can hear a difference. (myself .... I'm not quite sure if it does)

[michael_w]

I havn't stepped to that level but I guess swapping tubes can make a big difference.

[Frank Z]

Calibrate your HT system with an SPL Meter.

[dorokusai]

Turn the power button to "on".

[PolkThug]

Hands down, the best tweak is the ear wax candle.

[Emlyn]

Remove eyeglasses, turn off the lights. Works well as a bed time tweak too.

[unc2701]

For HT- get a pair of step ladders, put your rear surrounds on 'em and move them to every reasonable position in the room till you find the best. It's amazing the difference that it can make, and the "right" position isn't always where you think it is. OH, and you have to calibrate w/ a SPL meter between each try.

[Polkersince85]

Spark plug wire separators/ holddowns that will fit you IC's work good for management. Gives your system a Hotrod look. Get more music per CD, too.

[Early B.]

Hey, thanks for the cable management ideas. Hadn't considered that one.

Funny you should mention it, Thug, but I've been looking into the whole ear candling thing. I want to get it done just so I can run home, turn on my 2-channel system and hear stuff I haven't heard before! I wonder how long it lasts before your ears fill up with wax again....

[Early B.]

This sounds really stupid, but I put a few coats of polyurethane on the inside of my wood speakers. Why, you ask? Because there are times in our lives when we do things for absolutely no reason whatsoever. Nevertheless, I did a great job convincing myself that it actually gave the highs a bit more detail, so the psychological effect was beneficial.

[dragon1952]

Windex. Clean your CD's squeaky clean with Windex and an old cotton undershirt. Wipe from inside towards the outer edge all the way around until smudge and gunk free. Believe me, there's stuff on there you don't see. Awesome tweak!

[Schris22]

how thick of concrete do ya need for isolation? like will one inch thick do it?

Chris

[Early B.]

how thick of concrete do ya need for isolation? like will one inch thick do it?

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and spend $4 and change on a concrete paver (18" x 18") in the outdoor gardening section. Spray paint it black and stick it under your sub.

[unc2701]

Windex. Clean your CD's squeaky clean with Windex and an old cotton undershirt. Wipe from inside towards the outer edge all the way around until smudge and gunk free. Believe me, there's stuff on there you don't see. Awesome tweak!

That reminds me- you can take the scratches out of cd's w/ a q-tip and brasso. Just make sure you keep it away from the label side.

[madmax]

"Feel" each of your components. If you feel a vibration such as 60hz you can find the vibrating part (usually a transformer) and damp it.

madmax

[Schris22]

Go to Home Depot or Lowes and spend $4 and change on a concrete paver (18" x 18") in the outdoor gardening section. Spray paint it black and stick it under your sub.

I think i'll do that...

Thanks,

Chris

Will report if there is any difference...

[tecmo04]

interested to hear schris. i want to do it too

[Jstas]

Clean your gear.

Dust and grime from your greasy fingers gumming everything up builds up over time. Dust and grime not only cut down the gear's ability to dissapate heat but it can hamper smooth operation of dials and buttons. If you keep the gear clean, not only does it look spectacular but it runs cooler too. Cooler running means better performance out of it.

[madmax]

When eating fried chicken or ribs it is a good idea to wash your hands before handling your equipment.
madmax

[Willow]

Hey, thanks for the cable management ideas. Hadn't considered that one.

Funny you should mention it, Thug, but I've been looking into the whole ear candling thing. I want to get it done just so I can run home, turn on my 2-channel system and hear stuff I haven't heard before! I wonder how long it lasts before your ears fill up with wax again....

I have had it done 3 times, fells great, Now My wife and I do it ( the candleling(if a word)) to each other.

[Willow]

My 2 favorite nearly free tweaks:

1. Placing speakers on tile/slab when the room is carpeted
2. Cable management. Many people overlook good cable management, they have these huge, expensive systems and cables everywhere. AC laying on speaker cables, laying on IC's....nasty. Clean those runs up and pitch the AC line conditioner (you won't need it no mo'). My system is deadly quiet.

Why the slabs under the main speakers ? same results as the sub ?
My wife would say, geez this place looks like a construction zone. My reply would be snarky " great here's your hard hat"

[bobman1235]

Funny you should mention it, Thug, but I've been looking into the whole ear candling thing. I want to get it done just so I can run home, turn on my 2-channel system and hear stuff I haven't heard before! I wonder how long it lasts before your ears fill up with wax again....

Uh, first, ear wax is a necessary and helpful deterrent to things getting into your ears and causing infection. Not to mention that "candling" is proven to be ineffectual and potentially dangerous.

Why Ear Candling Is Not a Good Idea

Ear Candling Exposed

If you want to clean your inner ears, do some basic irrigation with one of those solutions that you find at a drug store. If you have actual ear wax PROBLEMS, go see a doctor.

I know 20 people are going to now say they've had it done a million times and notice a positive effect with no negatives, but I'm just sayin... not good for you. You all like... good sound, I wouldn't eff with your ears... they're kinda necessary in this hobby.

[VR3]

Getting your ears cleaned at the doctors then going home and cranking the music probally wouldnt be a good idea. Just get some ear drops of some kind..

[Willow]

Bob, is right, I did one of my wife's ears and the suction it caused left here with pain for 1 week.


It not only cleans wax but you should see the crap that comes out of our ears. I know it's gross but anytime we do it we cut the candle open and check out the gunk
On the other hand everything is good in moderation