ASC Tube Traps Are The Real Deal

[chessman]

As I mentioned in the other thread I have acquired nine 3' x 11" full rounds, two 3' x 11" half rounds, and two 3' x 16" full rounds. Five pairs are stacked as columns (one in each corner with the 16" column centered on the back wall), one 3' x 11" full round adjacent to a stair well (half wall) and the two half-rounds stacked at a midpoint on the left side wall.

The resulting improvement in sound quality has been remarkable. In short, the sound is much more musical and realistic. I will try to give some concrete examples, as follows:

1) The speakers almost always disappear. The sound seems to be ambient, rather than coming out of little boxes. The sound stage has widened.

2) Now that the decay time on the bass notes has evened out, the highs no longer seem rolled off at low volume.

3) Detail in the mid-range has improved so much that I can hear new things in old familiar CD's.

4) Dynamic punch is so improved that I have more punch at lower volumes than before. A kick drum kicks you in the chest even at moderate volume.

5) Although I know it's not possible, it seems like the mains play an octave lower than before. I suspect they always played this low, but the uneven decay time was creating a bit of the dreaded "one note bass" which was drowning out the lower register. I actually checked to make sure I wasn't running through the DVD port, which would kick in the subs. They were not even on and I broke into a huge grin.

In short, ASC tube traps are the real deal.

[Masterlu]

Howard will chime in soon, he just got his today.

[hkval]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Howard will chime in soon, he just got his today.

UPS delivers after 4pm. I set them up and took pictures but listening will have to wait until Friday - New Salvatore Dali Museum in St. Petersburg for tomorrow. They look great.
Howard

[Masterlu]

Pictures? I don't see any pictures...

[hkval]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Pictures? I don't see any pictures...

I will not be able to listen to them until Friday but here are some photos. The black square is one of the bases I made so they will be above the molding and flush against the walls.
Howard

[JFR0317]

Very nice, HK!

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by hkval

I will not be able to listen to them until Friday but here are some photos. The black square is one of the bases I made so they will be above the molding and flush against the walls.
Howard

Howard, they look great & integrate into the space so well. Enjoy the Dali visit.

[BlueChiaro]

Originally Posted by chessman

As I mentioned in the other thread I have acquired nine 3' x 11" full rounds, two 3' x 11" half rounds, and two 3' x 16" full rounds. Five pairs are stacked as columns (one in each corner with the 16" column centered on the back wall), one 3' x 11" full round adjacent to a stair well (half wall) and the two half-rounds stacked at a midpoint on the left side wall.

The resulting improvement in sound quality has been remarkable. In short, the sound is much more musical and realistic. I will try to give some concrete examples, as follows:

1) The speakers almost always disappear. The sound seems to be ambient, rather than coming out of little boxes. The sound stage has widened.

2) Now that the decay time on the bass notes has evened out, the highs no longer seem rolled off at low volume.

3) Detail in the mid-range has improved so much that I can hear new things in old familiar CD's.

4) Dynamic punch is so improved that I have more punch at lower volumes than before. A kick drum kicks you in the chest even at moderate volume.

5) Although I know it's not possible, it seems like the mains play an octave lower than before. I suspect they always played this low, but the uneven decay time was creating a bit of the dreaded "one note bass" which was drowning out the lower register. I actually checked to make sure I wasn't running through the DVD port, which would kick in the subs. They were not even on and I broke into a huge grin.

In short, ASC tube traps are the real deal.

Randy, how did you decide what to get?

[chessman]

Originally Posted by BlueChiaro

Randy, how did you decide what to get?

To be honest it was a bit of guesstimate and lucky circumstance. The basement listening room/HT/Bat Cave has a low ceiling. When a set of four 3' x 11" full rounds became available locally it seemed like it was worth a shot in the dark. The 11" absorb down to about 80 H, so I figured I could use four some way, somehow.

When they had such a profound effect placed behind the mains (one corner and one free floating), I decided to go on the prowl for more. I found another opportunity for a larger quantity than I would have sought out, but they matched what I had and I have always been told you cannot over-treat a room below 400 H.

There are undoubtedly more precise ways to proceed, but with the belief that I could not over do it, I took a shot.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by hkval

I will not be able to listen to them until Friday but here are some photos. The black square is one of the bases I made so they will be above the molding and flush against the walls.
Howard

That's the ticket!