The Speaker Whisperer

[Masterlu]

Well, it's been a fun & busy two days.... Bill from Sumiko has been here doing his magic with all of my Sonus Faber speakers.

Guys, I have to tell you; there are very few select people who are truly gifted at what they do, and Bill is one of them.

I'll begin here; I have always known the room and speaker placement are a huge part of the end result which is of course what we all strive for in this hobby "Musical Utopia".

I dialed in my 2-Channel room as best I could, and had the MEN220 do the final touch; I was extremely pleased with my system before Bill even arrived.

Upon arrival on Tuesday, Bill simply asked for some blue painters tape to mark the floor where the Strads were currently positioned. Just in case, we could always put them back to their original place.

Without using a single tool, tape, or electronic device, Bill proceeded to work his craft. Moving from place to place at a feverish pace, listening ever so carefully to a selected track by Jennifer Warnes (on repeat). Starting with the left Strad, Bill would move it; listen and move it again. First came the bigger moves in inches, then the smaller ones, until he felt it was correctly postioned. Then the right Strad become the focus of his attention.

Eventually a listening chair was brought in which Bill placed strategically at a central listening point. Bill would listen; eyes closed; head moving, more slight adjustments were made, we're talking 1/16" here. Rake of the speakers were also addressed.

When Bill was finished, and I returned I put on a track I am very familiar with Basia - Cruising for Bruising on my MS750 through my MCD1100.

When I tell you I was moved it's an understatement; Bumps? I had Chills run up & down my arms & spine, I kid you not! and this was just FLAC running through my DAC. In other words, my weakest source!

Nothing I had ever done was so prominent in coupling me to the music, or "Coherence" as Bill likes to call it. This was Astounding; I can only imagine how rewarding it was for Bill to see my face and know he had just "Performed Magic"

This visit by Bill is service that anyone would pay handsomely for; was Bill here because I am a Dealer? nope. Was Bill here because I spent alot of money? nope. Bill was here because this is a "Complimentary" service by Sumiko, offered to all Sonus Faber owners in the USA that purchase their speakers through an authorized dealer. Kudo's Sumiko!!

I now have a beautiful MEN220 filling a space in my rack; left on Bypass.

Without so much as a coffee break, Bill proceeded to the Game Room - Bryston/Amati system.

I will post my impressions on that a bit later, as I have to go back for another "Bump & Chill ride.

[cmalak]

Ivan...congrats on achieving "musical utopia" in the 2-channel room and kudos to the "Speaker Whisperer" (aka, Metaphacts, aka Bill)

[Still-One]

Ivan, my guess is you will get even better results in the game room.

Jim

[Masterlu]

Here is a pic which shows how little, yet how important speaker placement is.



The "V" marked on the carpet was the original location.

[miner]

So are you stating that Bill/Sf would offer me the same service for my meager Cremona Auditor Ms (purchased through a dealer)?

[TommyC]

Bill, can you come to Canada?

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by miner

So are you stating that Bill/Sf would offer me the same service for my meager Cremona Auditor Ms (purchased through a dealer)?

Yes, arrange it through your SF Dealer.

[esteban]

Bill, if you are ever in South FL, and you'd like to pay a visit, Cuban coffee is on me.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by miner

So are you stating that Bill/Sf would offer me the same service for my meager Cremona Auditor Ms (purchased through a dealer)?

Technically we do it for Strad and Amati and the dealer does it for everything else. Having said that I have set up many speakers for my most supportive dealers and their customers.

[metaphacts]

Originally Posted by esteban

Bill, if you are ever in South FL, and you'd like to pay a visit, Cuban coffee is on me.

My old stomping grounds. Could be arranged depending on timing.