#1) Does a turntable mat REALLY make any difference on a high-end model?
Music Hall supplies their models with a felt-type mat that is really not very attractive, but probably does the most that any mat can. No
doubt that is why they utilize that material.
#2) How critical is subwoofer placement in a set-up that utilizes the automatice calibration such as Pioneer's Elite VSX-74TXi receiver. Doesn't the automatic calibration effectively compensate for any particular placement?
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Hello Edward,
1. Yes and no; mats may degrade sound quality if they don't provide proper damping of platter ringing and disc resonances. However, despite all the high-end silliness perpetuated on various forums and in some magazines, if you use a material like soft neoprene rubber (I'm sure those mats are still sold), you shouldn't have any problems. Felt works OK; but frankly, I don't think it's as effective as a rubber mat in damping platter ringing or spurious acoustic vibration in the vinyl disc itself. Clamps that go over the spindle are the most effective for the latter, but very inconvenient.
2. The automatic equalization (EQ) calibration in all AV receivers tends to be rather erratic, especially in the low-frequency region. I tell most users to turn off the auto-EQ (other than for setting the distance and levels of the individual speakers) and leave it off, as it may make very good linear speakers like Axioms sound bad.
3. Here is a link to one of my articles on the "subwoofer crawl" to determine the best place for your subwoofer:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/tips_subwoofer_placement.html
The best spot will be a function of your particular room's dimensions, your seating location(s), and the location/integration of the sub with the room itself.
Your room is about 3950 cu. ft., which is large. I'd suggest you consider an Axiom system like the Epic60/350 $2,415.85 delivered:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic60_350main.html
. . .or for spectacular deep bass in big rooms, the Epic60/500:
http://www.axiomaudio.com/epic60_500main.html
