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How to improve my Axiom sound?
#427034 11/18/17 05:00 AM
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hey folks! 10yr 5.1 Axiom owner here: M80s (v2), VP150, QS8s, ADA-1500 (big vaulted room!), Onkyo 805, FLAC files stored on PC, Sonos wifi network.

In stereo mode, with just the M80s, either the sound has deteriorated or I've become more picky over the years, but I find the upper midrange annoying- as I get fatigued by it quickly. After 20 minutes of listening, even at moderate volumes, I need to turn it off.

I'm wondering....I originally had files stored as Apple Lossless, and managed with iTunes. A couple years back I had some file corruption problems (that Andrew helped me to identify), and converted everything to FLAC (I forget the program name that I used to make the Apple Lossless to FLAC conversion). I'm worried more corruption may have happened to the files.

SO..I'm considering starting all over again. Maybe building a dedicated Windows based server, but at least ripping my CDs again and making fresh FLAC files directly from the CDs.

Good idea? if so...what program for ripping and managing is recommended these days? I like to keep it simple..I'm no IT genius.

For my Sonos system...would putting a DAC in the stream somewhere (downstream from the Sonos Connect?) help?

My system images great, with amazing soundstage, but like I said the upper midrange is too much, and I'd love to gain some 3D clarity. There's a Deep Forest track, "Savana Dance", that has a great 3D effect of a toy train running around your head that I can't get with my system (that I used to with my old Legacy Classic speakers).

Sorry for the long post. You folks are always so helpful. Let me know if this post belongs somewhere else.

Cheers- Brady

Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427035 11/18/17 05:43 AM
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Brady

My choice for ripping and converting files is DBpoweramp though i am sure others have recommendations as well. Since i dont know u at all i will ask your age and occupation. I am north of 50 and work as a mechanic and my hearing is not what it used to be. Have your speakers always been in the same room? Vaulted ceilings are not kind to music or conducive to good 2 channel. Does your rig have any room correction system and have you treated your room at all with absorptive materials and wall treatments to diffract the audio waves. More questions than answers but it is important to find the root cause and get a sense of your room.


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Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427038 11/18/17 04:48 PM
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After I learned the hard way, the most important when ripping is to make sure to enable read and ripping verification. It slows down the process, but since I have started to use those features some 5000 CDs ago, I have never had a bad track again. Used to be a bad surprise for a least 2% and then, when I re-scanned everything, I found over 20% of my older rips had some errors in it (most not consciously audible).
dbPowerAmp is a good tool, very flexible. Not the easiest to use in all cases, but you will never get disappointed with the results.


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Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427041 11/18/17 09:14 PM
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Good ideas all- I too have heard good things about DBpoweramp. I'm 47, so hearing is still fine. I think. My wife may disagree smile

Yep, room is tough. Still get pretty good imaging and big soundstage though. I make sure all curtains are closed when intently listening. Hanging run on the big wall behind hte system. Might be reflections going on in the upper mid range to cause the problem.

Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427043 11/18/17 11:42 PM
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I have the same system as you except with the Onk 818 and an EP600 v2. I don't have an external amp. I'm in a 4200 ft^3, under-damped room.

I listened to your track on Spotify with the highest SQ possible, PLII processing with panorama mode turned off. I had no problem hearing the train circling around my 7.1 system. In fact, I can also hear the circling in stereo but not as distinctly.

It's well known that continuous listening to pieces with heavy mid-range spectral content can be fatiguing. Maybe you are listening to music for longer periods now than before?

Having said that, there is a clarity, realism, transparency and presence to the upper mid-range on the v2 that unfortunately lends itself to sounding fatiguing at higher SPLs even when amplifier limits aren't being exceeded. Perhaps this was taken care of on the v4.

I was over at my buddy's last night listening to his KEFs. They were easy-sounding but at the expense of reduced transparency and "resolution". I find them good for movies but can't listen to music on them because it sounds like there's a veil over the sound source.


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Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427044 11/19/17 05:48 AM
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Honestly sometimes all it takes is to move your speakers around a bit. Consider moving them away from the wall, spread them apart, try toeing them in/out etc.



Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427045 11/19/17 01:31 PM
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It might be time to try the v4!

Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427047 11/19/17 05:58 PM
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Yep, trade up?

Last edited by brwsaw; 11/19/17 05:59 PM.


Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427049 11/20/17 07:30 PM
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yup, always time to trade up smile

The train circling should be clearly heard in stereo mode. Its an incredible imaging effect for sure.

Another test song that does still sounds great on my system (and always turns heads when I test systems in stores) is "Por Ti" off of Mariza's Fado em Mim album. great dynamics, and separation.

Yes, I've played around with pulling the speakers way out, pushing them apart more, toeing them way in. Again, overall great imaging and sound-stage, but that upper mid is a killer. I'll play around with less aggressive toe-ins.

Re: How to improve my Axiom sound?
us3webbs #427050 11/20/17 10:40 PM
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I recommend against toeing them in or out as it destroys the "family of curves". So does heavy room treatment.


House of the Rising Sone
Out in the mid or far field
Dedicated mid-woofers are over-rated
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