The Audiophiliac spells out the absolute best rules and tips for audiophiles. The Audiophiliac's speaker placement video, • Please, please, please... #audiophiles #audiotips
Steve is the Moses of Audiophiles delivering his Audio 10 Commandments on Digital instead of Analog inscribed Stones. 😂 Some great and very useful Rules. Thanks Steve.
@@kohnfutner9637 So you're the expert on Biblical truth??? Have you done studies in the original languages of the Bible so you actually know what you're talking about??? I get SO sick and tired of people like YOU who think it's a field day on Christianity, but wouldn't DARE insult Islam or some other religion!!! And just because I mentioned Islam does NOT make me an Islamophobe--indeed, it's people like YOU who point fingers that are the REAL Islamophobes, if ANYBODY is!!! Maybe you need to be called a Christophobe--and I hope and pray that term catches on!! In short: if you don't like someone's belief system, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF--IT HAS NO PLACE IN A FORUM SUCH AS THIS!!! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED, YOU CHRISTIAN HATER!!! IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEMS TO BEGIN WITH!!!
Mark Reeves Bold of you to assume it’s *over* her head with your puny 7.1 surround sound setup that, by the way, only had a disgraceful 4.9 star rating
@@TheMamaluigi300 Puny as it may be... I haven't found any reasonable inadequacies to begin any overcompensations. Other than, I'm a guy and that's what we do. I mean I have no esteem problems what so ever at all. No no not me.. Just dont you.. He Called mine puny. Its NOT Puny! Yours is puny! Wheres my wallet. I'll show you whose is puny. In not overcompensating, either! It's just not pu- ahhhhhh! Uh hi, Emotiva? Uh yeah. I need an XPA-9 delivered. Yes with a SVS 16 INCHER. Yes thank you.. No, NO, NOOO.....! MAKE IT TWO...! And trade my Emotiva XPA-7! An it snot pubescent! , puny! It snot. ;(
Steve Guttenberg is one of the most experienced and knowledgable audiophiles around. Thanks for sharing your collective wisdom gained over many years of critical listening Steve!
You may need to spend $1000 to get a satisfying increase so long as you don’t put yourself in a debt too difficult to pay off. Learn to live within your means.
Rule #10 is the most important. I just picked up The Beatles Singles Collection set of 45s. These were never pressed for audiophiles but for teenagers to be played on their 'crappy' portable turntables. I'm 70 now and they sound just like I remembered. Incredible. I have other pressings of the songs on different LPs with different mixes and those are for audiophiles. Thanks for the video, Steve. Subscribed.
Steve, I agree with your all of your recommended 10 rules. I was especially enlightened with a new understanding of why listeners may prefer to use headphones. Makes sense now.
FINALLY someone with a brain. I once told a friend to sit with his back to my audio system, told him I was going to switch the cables. Instead, with the same cables, I unplugged them from my Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers and plugged them into a pair of PSB bookshelf speakers. He was ready to RUN out and get the cables I was using. So, as you said "Blind Testing" is biased.
Steve, The best video yet, from you, as I, 100 % concur. Number 10, is, without a doubt, number 1. I believe, one thing that was left out, though, was, for people to listen to as much stuff as possible, as listeners, generally, do not have a clue as to what they like. Yes, audiophiles are driven by test reports and recommendations, by reviewers, and as you mentioned, people, do not trust their ears. The bigger issue is, most people do not have a basis, as to start with. Most folks I have helped design systems, are clueless, and this, is fundamentally an issue. The other parts of what you said in this video, are, really significant. We, the listeners, are at the mercy of the recordings, and, whatever system we put together, will never sound like the real thing ( live, and unamplified ). Thank you for this video, and, your channel. You are one of the good guys. You old friend, Danno
Thanks Steve, Interesting how the disappearance of audio shops has created a real void in the quest to audition equipment. What you are left with is on line reviews and perhaps a CZcams demo. Not the best situation for deciding on what components and speakers to buy. But thank you for your presentation of equipment and thoughts. It has certainly helped.
Haha - before you started I guessed “remember to enjoy the music” would be number one. It came in at number ten but then you said maybe it should be number one. 👍🏽👍🏽
I love how you emphasize speaker placement. It's so crucial. Headphones are also a great suggestion. So many amazing sounding headphones that are really really affordable. A $100 Headphone amp with them and you're all set.
I love Rule 10 - I am in love with my system, whether I am listening to Bruckner, Monk or Zappa they sound great. Sitting in my easy chair and being swept up into my music is such a wonderful experience. Thanks for the video Steve.
Yes! Great advice! And "Size Consideration" is n-o-t as absolute. It *depends* on the volume/shape/contents/composition of one's listening room. Thanks, Steve for this special "Nota Bene" episode.
This is all fantastic advice! At 54 I have been around enough audio (nothing like your experience Steve), to know that it's supper easy to get wound around the axle over things that just don't matter and end up costing way to much when you could have spent the money on things that do make a difference. Trust your ears and play with what you have and maximize it BEFORE deciding to make big changes. It's very easy to make expensive mistakes so don't get wound before you play😀.
A beautiful distillation of years of experience into a top 10 of what really matters and how to achieve it ....sanely! I do vote for number 10 moving to number 1 tough and all the rest slide down a notch, if you’ve forgotten it’s all about musical enjoyment, nothing else will help. Stay our voice of reason Steve. 👍🏻
SG, I only recently discovered your channel. My journey into and through audio began fifty years ago. Your treatises are quite parallel to things I learned way back when. As I review your observations I realize that nothing has changed in the pursuit of the "perfect" system. It ain't happ'nin'! Keep up your great work!
Might be the most helpful video of yours I've seen. Rule #1 got me thinking. I've known this for a while, but never realized how impactful the smallest change could make. I started "futzing" around with my Zu DWs and after several changes, all making minor differences, I made one last change to the width between the speakers and a small adjustment to the toe-in and "WOW!" All of a sudden the sound is coming from behind the speakers (like Paul McGowan always talks about) and the sound stage is fatter and more evenly distributed. I wouldn't have believed that such a minor tweak could yield such considerable improvements. Thanks Steve. 👍
Frank Black I also have Zu DWs. How did you finally place them? Distance from each other, wall, and toe in? I currently have mine right up against the wall about 6 feet apart with a bit of toe in. I sit about 7 or 8 feet away.
thank you for the vid helpful alot ever since i found ur channel i been opening my mind up on being and audiophile instead of so mad about bad sounding stuff keep the vids coming please i need ur knowledge and advice
Thanks for all of the advice. I wanted to experiment in a way that I never thought would help. I am glad I did. I have four subs. The best two are up front and the older/smaller ones are in the rear. I switched them and put the better ones in the back and smaller ones up front. WOW! My bass is as even as you can get now. I don't have any "boom" areas nor any "nulls" as well. My system doesn't look as strong now but who cares. The sound improvement, especially for music, is all that counts. You are the man!
Thanks a lot Steve for these must needed rules of audiophile wisdom! 👌 Content is more important than packaging. A loose interpretation of a poor subway musician is often better than a masterpiece through a high end sound system! I subscribed!
Hi steve... I just tried moving my stuff around and then realized, i really like the way it sounded when they were as they were. But you are absolutely right, moving around changes the sound. I also love the idea of headphones, headphones is where i have started all this audio journey in to the self satisfying perfection. Ended up with a pair of HD-6XX and a tube amp+dac, it is the end game for now. Thanks a lot for this insightful video, i just shared it to all my friends who keep spending 1000$ on audio gear without moving them around.
My dear Audiophiliac, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. It means a lot to me and it is not self-evident to be able to participate in this. Great show, great spirit!
I was skeptical about rule #1 as my system is down the end of a long narrow room with basically no options to resite speakers (200 year old cottage) So it thought 'that is what it is, just put up with it'. BUT after watching this and one from John Darko, I sat in my listening chair, moved it about a little and tweaked the position of my speakers. It was not by a lot, just a few inches and a few degrees. The result, a much improved listener experience. Thank you.
Great tips. Finally, a recent industry chat about speaker size. Very difficult to "overload" a room (in my opinion). I played the bookshelf/subwoofer game for far too long. Best decision I made, after addressing room treatments, was to go large floor-standers. Never again will my main system have bookshelves. Cheers and happy listening 🍻
My room is just over 1700 sq feet and I have large “bookshelf” speakers but would like to upgrade at some point to an appropriate (which I haven’t defined what that could be) floor standing type but it has been said that the journey should be more enjoyable than the actual destination. 😂
One day , some years past , I found myself listening to the quality of the playback and not the song. It gave me this terrible feeling. Im now in recovery from audiophilia . I have all the pieces I will ever need. If it sounds pretty good its ok. It fine. Focus on the music is my no.1 rule now. You all will love this. My speakers are a set of AR2a cabs with the drivers out of a set of Large Advent A3s and a moderately priced set of ribbon tweeters. They look like hell but sound fine. I couldnt recall all the sets of speakers Ive owned and these are the ones I love. Love your channel Steve
Steve, Your audio tips are very helpful and I think your delivery has genuine enthusiasm. I bought the outlaw RR 2160 because of your review and I’ve been incredibly happy with my purchase. Keep up the good work but the next time you get eyeglasses please put a non-glare on your lenses so it’s less distracting when I watch you enlightening all of us!🤓
My first rule for any Audiophiles is don't be afraid to use the art of the deal to get a lower price or a free add-on, most often, the cost of a speaker system is 50% (and more on accessories)of the retail price and sometimes lower if they are selling an end of line. If you can get a good set of speaker wires or a good turntable cartridge for free, why not, free is good. My second rule is large chain stores and some small ones give "spiff" (money, products or points for a sale ) to their employees on certain products and many will try to railroad you to buy that special article because it pays them more than the other besides it. Thrust your ears, not his! Your 10 rules also applies. There is no substitute for cubic inches, it is a "Mechanic's Rule" that also applies to many things. Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I generally don't trust people unless I know them. That goes for Sales people as well, they might give you helpful advice but they're out for themselves first - unless you know the Sales person/store and think they're on the more honest side of things.
Short sweet and to the point. Excellent advice and I have used all of it. I'm also a huge headphone guy. Don't ever get mad because you feel something is too expensive and because you can't afford it you call it snake oil (somethings are and some not). Also always remember what is new equipment today will be old equipment tomorrow, which can fit inside different budgetary concerns.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the Klipsch La Scala compared to the Cornwall. I have a big room, but no good corners for the Klipschorns. Considering the La Scalas with some old McIntosh tube equipment.
From my own experience with getting the best sound from my audio gear over the years, I have always suited the speaker and amp system to the room environment I listened in. So from a garden shed, to a small upstairs spare room and then to the living room, each and every one of these locations had a different audio system to suit the very different sound environment. I have to say that my present audio system, is ultimately the best I have ever used, the end result of many years of listening experience. Naturally a lot of my fun and enjoyment with audio, has come from just experimenting with different sub woofers and different speaker layouts to get the best sound, it's not a perfect system by any means but it sounds pretty good. Dare I say it, but a graphic equalizer works wonders in a dead acoustic room environment.
Such a great video, recorded music can be a great part of anybody’s life, but it’s up to you. Live music to me still has no limits to it’s enjoyment. Thanks Steve.🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦
It's as simple as this. Great video. Big is however important if you want the depth. Once I had an American Klipsch K-horn.... The room wasn't big enough however... I think horn-drivers are also important for the live-feeling in some cases? What do people think about this? Breaking in speakers should possibly also be a very interesting new subject? Especially for the new Cornwalls and Fortes you been listening to for a while. From the manual the breaking in time is 100 -200 hours for the Fortes. During that time you will really have some fun, I assure you. It is amazing what's happening, and my room is no good. And my hearing is not good either. I am sorry to say I am the weakest part of my whole soundsystem. Still I can't just wait what is going to happen next day or week. The breaking in period is very exiting. Would love to have a video on this, and if you still think the same about these speakers, let's say after a year or so? Long term testing and listening as such? Do try out Vanessa Fernandez : - When the levee breaks...
Thanks Steve, yes, "Speakers-Speakers-Speakers" Several years ago, I discovered the "Sumiko" Method of speaker placement, and what ! a difference it made. Although, it took several months (a few hours at a time), moving 50 lb. speakers around, when the sound stage popped into place, WoW ! Since then, I haven't added anything but, more music to my collection. KB.
Many thanks to Steve Guttenberg for his excellent analyses and explanations. It is rare to find a knowledgeable audiophile with Steve's credentials who possesses the knowledge, interpersonal skills, pedagogical savvy, and humility that Steve conveys so seamlessly. He doesn't reduce the world's most beautiful equipment to endless charts, graphs, and every conceivable data set. Even the well-intentioned self-described audiophile can be so off-putting that her/his/their work can discourage sincere folks wishing to improve/build upon their sound systems. Finding someone in the audio world with Steve's knowledge, interpersonal skills, and genuine humility is like finding Bigfoot in Central Park. All one has to do is pick up any issue of your favorite audio journal to understand what makes Steve such a wonderful resource. THANK YOU Steve!!
I love your common sense approach. I follow a guy in England Kelvin Stereo review X he specialises in reviewing vintage affordable hi fi. Between you two you are blowing away a lot of hi fi myth's. I am now at a stage where if it sounds right to me then it's right. Also as I said to him in one comment and I will repeat to you I trust your ears.😉👍
Steve, another alternative to a bad room besides headphones is near field listening. Not only does this greatly affect the degradation of the sound from room acoustics, it also has the same effect as increasing speaker sensitivity and/or power from the amplifier. When I am in the mood to listen at levels similar to those used when recording and mixing the music (and when the wife is out) 😁 I like to listen at distances from about 2 to 4 feet, depending on the speaker. This allows the one to listen at levels not unlike what were used to make the recording, therefore rendering it’s tonal balance similar to what the engineers/producers/artists heard (due to the Fletcher/Munson effect) when they judged the amount of EQ and compression to employ. Having worked in the pro-sound industry, this is the only way that I can afford to approach the sound quality that I heard in the studios, in some cases even better than what was heard in the studios. Thanks for the succinct and useful tips to help people understand what to focus on to get the best sound from their systems.
Thank you Steve. Rule number one is so important. Sometimes the slightest change in position will make a drastic change in sound. Listen and trust your ears. So true there is great digital. Mastering is more important than analog vs digital Live is live, it is the perfection we seek The room is the most important single component Bad sounding rooms just sound bad A great set of headphones is great, but great speakers are better. Sorry, though, I need to show you what a small speaker can do, and the right size speaker is the most important factor in a room. If your speaker is too large for the room it will blur and overload the room. I would say there is a right size for each room. and for number 10, thank you for expressing such clear thoughts on our love, the quest to recreate the sound of live music, The impossible dream.
Steve is the Moses of Audiophiles delivering his Audio 10 Commandments on Digital instead of Analog inscribed Stones. 😂
Some great and very useful Rules.
Thanks Steve.
You wont' believe #7!
Steve dropping the realest of science indeed.
Steve is way cooler than Moses. Much more accurate than the Bible as well.
@@LilWillyA2Z I have yet to gear Steve utter a single word of science in his videos.
@@kohnfutner9637 So you're the expert on Biblical truth???
Have you done studies in the original languages of the Bible so you actually know what you're talking about???
I get SO sick and tired of people like YOU who think it's a field day on Christianity, but wouldn't DARE insult Islam or some other religion!!!
And just because I mentioned Islam does NOT make me an Islamophobe--indeed, it's people like YOU who point fingers that are the REAL Islamophobes, if ANYBODY is!!!
Maybe you need to be called a Christophobe--and I hope and pray that term catches on!!
In short: if you don't like someone's belief system, KEEP IT TO YOURSELF--IT HAS NO PLACE IN A FORUM SUCH AS THIS!!! YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED, YOU CHRISTIAN HATER!!! IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT CAUSE THE PROBLEMS TO BEGIN WITH!!!
I disagree with rule 10. It's NOT about having fun. It's about having mean-spirited venomous arguments with strangers on the internet.
And just who and the heell do you think you are?!
@@markreeves7177 r/whooooooooosh
Does she understand that I got the sarcasm? Or is she wooshing over the top of her own head?
Mark Reeves Bold of you to assume it’s *over* her head with your puny 7.1 surround sound setup that, by the way, only had a disgraceful 4.9 star rating
@@TheMamaluigi300 Puny as it may be... I haven't found any reasonable inadequacies to begin any overcompensations. Other than, I'm a guy and that's what we do. I mean I have no esteem problems what so ever at all. No no not me..
Just dont you.. He Called mine puny. Its NOT Puny! Yours is puny! Wheres my wallet. I'll show you whose is puny. In not overcompensating, either! It's just not pu- ahhhhhh! Uh hi, Emotiva? Uh yeah. I need an XPA-9 delivered. Yes with a SVS 16 INCHER. Yes thank you..
No, NO, NOOO.....! MAKE IT TWO...! And trade my Emotiva XPA-7! An it snot pubescent! , puny! It snot. ;(
#1 rule:
Protect your ears.
Maybe this could be the zeroth law? It's definitely the most important
My tinnitus thanks you.
YES! Audio shows are horrible about this, routinely found 110-120 dB presentations at Axpona and at Bristol
Strong opinions, loosely held, is a good and viable path for fellow audiophiles
Here’s an other with tinnitus problem
Yes first protect ears
Most important rule for an audiophile: Don't take yourself too seriously.
You will never get out of life alive.
But they do lol
Honestly more people should follow that rule
That goes for most things really
Have you seen how they present themselves? That doesn't happen.
Best advice I've heard, thanks. And think the most important "Is trust your own ears not forums or friends' opinions."
Steve Guttenberg is one of the most experienced and knowledgable audiophiles around. Thanks for sharing your collective wisdom gained over many years of critical listening Steve!
My rule is enjoy the music and equipment I have. There's too much fomo in this hobby.
fomo = cables = snake oil
You got it.
Mine sounds amazing cranked up and sat in the kitchen listening with a cold beer
Yes, and if I want my £1k of old hifi gear to really sing to me I vape a bit of weed. Cheapest upgrade there is.
@@barlow2976I never thought this hobby would lead me to the second Messiah! 🙏🏼
Steve, I love your reviews because I can tell that you walk the walk. Your enthusiasm energizes me. Thank you!
My rule: don't spend more than you earn.
Love your enthusiasm, experience and knowledge. Ty from Germany
Rule No. 11 : never spend an extra $1000 on gear to get an extra $10 worth of sound.
@Steven - GOOD rule!
You may need to spend $1000 to get a satisfying increase so long as you don’t put yourself in a debt too difficult to pay off. Learn to live within your means.
Bingo
@Fat Rat Pls translate that, bro.
@Fat Rat Thanks......people need to keep it in mind.
Thank you for you honesty. I'm new to caring about audio quality so watching open ended vs closed views/ probably paid views helps a ton.
Rule #10 is the most important. I just picked up The Beatles Singles Collection set of 45s. These were never pressed for audiophiles but for teenagers to be played on their 'crappy' portable turntables. I'm 70 now and they sound just like I remembered. Incredible. I have other pressings of the songs on different LPs with different mixes and those are for audiophiles. Thanks for the video, Steve. Subscribed.
Steve, I agree with your all of your recommended 10 rules. I was especially enlightened with a new understanding of why listeners may prefer to use headphones. Makes sense now.
Love these thoughts as always. From what I can see here you have followed rules 7 and 8 to perfections.
My new favorite channel! Thanks, man.
Rule 11: Blind testing is important to remove snake oil from the hobby.
Snake oil = cables
alan connelly not just cable. High res music. Headphone burn in. The list goes on.
This guy used to push a LOT of snake oil when he was with Sounds By Singer. I don't believe a bit of his BS
FINALLY someone with a brain. I once told a friend to sit with his back to my audio system, told him I was going to switch the cables. Instead, with the same cables, I unplugged them from my Acoustic Zen Adagio speakers and plugged them into a pair of PSB bookshelf speakers. He was ready to RUN out and get the cables I was using. So, as you said "Blind Testing" is biased.
@@tonys4396
Blind would be not knowing what was changed.
Steve, The best video yet, from you, as I, 100 % concur. Number 10, is, without a doubt, number 1. I believe, one thing that was left out, though, was, for people to listen to as much stuff as possible, as listeners, generally, do not have a clue as to what they like. Yes, audiophiles are driven by test reports and recommendations, by reviewers, and as you mentioned, people, do not trust their ears. The bigger issue is, most people do not have a basis, as to start with. Most folks I have helped design systems, are clueless, and this, is fundamentally an issue. The other parts of what you said in this video, are, really significant. We, the listeners, are at the mercy of the recordings, and, whatever system we put together, will never sound like the real thing ( live, and unamplified ). Thank you for this video, and, your channel. You are one of the good guys. You old friend, Danno
wow!! you brought it to the point in 10 simple rules! Love it!!
Thanks Steve,
Interesting how the disappearance of audio shops has created a real void in the quest to audition equipment. What you are left with is on line reviews and perhaps a CZcams demo. Not the best situation for deciding on what components and speakers to buy. But thank you for your presentation of equipment and thoughts. It has certainly helped.
You can find an audio shop if you want, there's still many about. From Bedford I can access about 5 within 10 mile.
Haha - before you started I guessed “remember to enjoy the music” would be number one. It came in at number ten but then you said maybe it should be number one. 👍🏽👍🏽
Love you Steve, you put so much happiness and good mood to these days.
I love how you emphasize speaker placement. It's so crucial. Headphones are also a great suggestion. So many amazing sounding headphones that are really really affordable. A $100 Headphone amp with them and you're all set.
I really enjoy your videos. This one is helpful in understanding all the basic functions to enjoy audio. Thank you very much.
I love Rule 10 - I am in love with my system, whether I am listening to Bruckner, Monk or Zappa they sound great. Sitting in my easy chair and being swept up into my music is such a wonderful experience. Thanks for the video Steve.
Yes! Great advice! And "Size Consideration" is n-o-t as absolute. It *depends* on the volume/shape/contents/composition of one's listening room. Thanks, Steve for this special "Nota Bene" episode.
Im running 31 year old Pioneer s-t 500 speakers they sound great but weighs 75 pounds a piece
Another great advice from a Legend. Steve,
thank you for sharing your thoughts mate.
Nice collection of thoughts about high fidelity audio systems! Practical wisdom for audiophiles and all music lovers.
This is all fantastic advice! At 54 I have been around enough audio (nothing like your experience Steve), to know that it's supper easy to get wound around the axle over things that just don't matter and end up costing way to much when you could have spent the money on things that do make a difference. Trust your ears and play with what you have and maximize it BEFORE deciding to make big changes. It's very easy to make expensive mistakes so don't get wound before you play😀.
@Dan - Agreed. That's why I keep telling people to use acoustical treatment. It helps prevent those expensive mistakes.
A beautiful distillation of years of experience into a top 10 of what really matters and how to achieve it ....sanely! I do vote for number 10 moving to number 1 tough and all the rest slide down a notch, if you’ve forgotten it’s all about musical enjoyment, nothing else will help. Stay our voice of reason Steve. 👍🏻
SG, I only recently discovered your channel. My journey into and through audio began fifty years ago. Your treatises are quite parallel to things I learned way back when. As I review your observations I realize that nothing has changed in the pursuit of the "perfect" system. It ain't happ'nin'! Keep up your great work!
I love this guy so much. Respecting low budget audiophiles as long if people are having fun
Omg Steve love your shirt! The Batik collar-less shirt is very Calcutta inspired. Love watching your every video!
Great Advice Steve..... You hit it out of the park!!! 👍👍
Good Rules Steve, thanks for sharing.
I really like this guy and thoroughly enjoy his thoughts and reviews.
Philip Nicolle Thanks Philip
Totally agree with all of these points. Nailed it
Agreed, you are my favourite reviewer, I think you really got it, you really understand it on all levels, good video!
Thanks!!
As always great advice Steve
Great rules Steve!!! Especially #10.
Rule number one...
Don’t listen to audiophiles, but your ears
Rule number two
See rule number one
Advice from the late Joe Meek: "If it sounds good, it IS good!"
Might be the most helpful video of yours I've seen. Rule #1 got me thinking. I've known this for a while, but never realized how impactful the smallest change could make. I started "futzing" around with my Zu DWs and after several changes, all making minor differences, I made one last change to the width between the speakers and a small adjustment to the toe-in and "WOW!" All of a sudden the sound is coming from behind the speakers (like Paul McGowan always talks about) and the sound stage is fatter and more evenly distributed. I wouldn't have believed that such a minor tweak could yield such considerable improvements.
Thanks Steve. 👍
Frank Black I also have Zu DWs. How did you finally place them? Distance from each other, wall, and toe in? I currently have mine right up against the wall about 6 feet apart with a bit of toe in. I sit about 7 or 8 feet away.
Outstanding Steve. Spot on! I'm going to share this.
thank you for the vid helpful alot ever since i found ur channel i been opening my mind up on being and audiophile instead of so mad about bad sounding stuff keep the vids coming please i need ur knowledge and advice
Excellent advice, Steve!
Thanks very much. 🎶🔊🙂🎵
Well done, Steve. All good info. I am probably going to pass this on to certain persons I know who should hear this!
This is absolutely the best top 10 rules for audio enthusiasts!
You are very knowledgeable and your suggestions make a lot of sense. Learning a lot from you, thank you 😃😃
Think this is your best video, nailed it.
Thanks for all of the advice. I wanted to experiment in a way that I never thought would help. I am glad I did. I have four subs. The best two are up front and the older/smaller ones are in the rear. I switched them and put the better ones in the back and smaller ones up front. WOW! My bass is as even as you can get now. I don't have any "boom" areas nor any "nulls" as well. My system doesn't look as strong now but who cares. The sound improvement, especially for music, is all that counts. You are the man!
Great rules! Totally agree! Thanks Steve...thanks a lot.
This is really the most important rules of audio. Waouuuuuuu.🤗🤗🤗🤗 Finally an icon from the audio industry tells it how it is. Amazing video Steve👏👍
Great video Steve, Thanks !
Exceptional advice Steve!
SUPERB presentation!!!
The best 10 rules from the world I ever find out. Congratulation Steven
Thanks a lot Steve for these must needed rules of audiophile wisdom! 👌
Content is more important than packaging.
A loose interpretation of a poor subway musician is often better than a masterpiece through a high end sound system!
I subscribed!
Great rules, they make sense to me. Thank you.
Hi steve... I just tried moving my stuff around and then realized, i really like the way it sounded when they were as they were. But you are absolutely right, moving around changes the sound.
I also love the idea of headphones, headphones is where i have started all this audio journey in to the self satisfying perfection. Ended up with a pair of HD-6XX and a tube amp+dac, it is the end game for now. Thanks a lot for this insightful video, i just shared it to all my friends who keep spending 1000$ on audio gear without moving them around.
You brought me home. I’m always buying new not necessarily better. When you said those 10 rules you where absolutely right. Listen to my ear . Thanks
My dear Audiophiliac, thank you for sharing your wisdom with us. It means a lot to me and it is not self-evident to be able to participate in this. Great show, great spirit!
I like this guy - honest useful info!
I was skeptical about rule #1 as my system is down the end of a long narrow room with basically no options to resite speakers (200 year old cottage) So it thought 'that is what it is, just put up with it'. BUT after watching this and one from John Darko, I sat in my listening chair, moved it about a little and tweaked the position of my speakers. It was not by a lot, just a few inches and a few degrees. The result, a much improved listener experience. Thank you.
steve ,you was right,this is most concentrated and trully story about the music listening tips.super
Number 10 is spot on, you really get it Steve 👊🏻
I also used the Audiophile book and SACD of Paul Mc Gowan!!! Very helpful!
Hi Steve, great info . Thanks mark
Great tips. Finally, a recent industry chat about speaker size. Very difficult to "overload" a room (in my opinion). I played the bookshelf/subwoofer game for far too long. Best decision I made, after addressing room treatments, was to go large floor-standers. Never again will my main system have bookshelves.
Cheers and happy listening 🍻
Eric Sun Bacon how big is your listening room, approx?
@@billwillard9410 3000 cubic feet
Eric Sun Bacon that’s nice for you. Lots of people have smaller room than that. Isn’t that like 20x20x8? I’d love a room that big.
My room is just over 1700 sq feet and I have large “bookshelf” speakers but would like to upgrade at some point to an appropriate (which I haven’t defined what that could be) floor standing type but it has been said that the journey should be more enjoyable than the actual destination. 😂
I gave up on small speakers over 20 years ago. Today, I have BIG speakers in a small room. Love them!
One day , some years past , I found myself listening to the quality of the playback and not the song. It gave me this terrible feeling. Im now in recovery from audiophilia . I have all the pieces I will ever need. If it sounds pretty good its ok. It fine. Focus on the music is my no.1 rule now. You all will love this. My speakers are a set of AR2a cabs with the drivers out of a set of Large Advent A3s and a moderately priced set of ribbon tweeters. They look like hell but sound fine. I couldnt recall all the sets of speakers Ive owned and these are the ones I love. Love your channel Steve
This was very informative, thanks for this.
Steve, Your audio tips are very helpful and I think your delivery has genuine enthusiasm. I bought the outlaw RR 2160 because of your review and I’ve been incredibly happy with my purchase. Keep up the good work but the next time you get eyeglasses please put a non-glare on your lenses so it’s less distracting when I watch you enlightening all of us!🤓
My first rule for any Audiophiles is don't be afraid to use the art of the deal to get a lower price or a free add-on, most often, the cost of a speaker system is 50% (and more on accessories)of the retail price and sometimes lower if they are selling an end of line. If you can get a good set of speaker wires or a good turntable cartridge for free, why not, free is good.
My second rule is large chain stores and some small ones give "spiff" (money, products or points for a sale ) to their employees on certain products and many will try to railroad you to buy that special article because it pays them more than the other besides it. Thrust your ears, not his!
Your 10 rules also applies.
There is no substitute for cubic inches, it is a "Mechanic's Rule" that also applies to many things.
Thanks for sharing.
Yeah, I generally don't trust people unless I know them. That goes for Sales people as well, they might give you helpful advice but they're out for themselves first - unless you know the Sales person/store and think they're on the more honest side of things.
I love ❤️ this kind of video!!! Thx
Short sweet and to the point. Excellent advice and I have used all of it. I'm also a huge headphone guy. Don't ever get mad because you feel something is too expensive and because you can't afford it you call it snake oil (somethings are and some not). Also always remember what is new equipment today will be old equipment tomorrow, which can fit inside different budgetary concerns.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the Klipsch La Scala compared to the Cornwall. I have a big room, but no good corners for the Klipschorns. Considering the La Scalas with some old McIntosh tube equipment.
From my own experience with getting the best sound from my audio gear over the years, I have always suited the speaker and amp system to the room environment I listened in. So from a garden shed, to a small upstairs spare room and then to the living room, each and every one of these locations had a different audio system to suit the very different sound environment. I have to say that my present audio system, is ultimately the best I have ever used, the end result of many years of listening experience. Naturally a lot of my fun and enjoyment with audio, has come from just experimenting with different sub woofers and different speaker layouts to get the best sound, it's not a perfect system by any means but it sounds pretty good. Dare I say it, but a graphic equalizer works wonders in a dead acoustic room environment.
Thanks Steve - I am a new subscriber to your channel - great counsel !
Such a great video, recorded music can be a great part of anybody’s life, but it’s up to you. Live music to me still has no limits to it’s enjoyment. Thanks Steve.🇨🇦🇬🇧🇨🇦
Great video, you're right. For me it's my late 70's silver faced woodgrain system.
Great video. Thanks!
It's as simple as this. Great video. Big is however important if you want the depth. Once I had an American Klipsch K-horn.... The room wasn't big enough however...
I think horn-drivers are also important for the live-feeling in some cases? What do people think about this?
Breaking in speakers should possibly also be a very interesting new subject? Especially for the new Cornwalls and Fortes you been listening to for a while. From the manual the breaking in time is 100 -200 hours for the Fortes. During that time you will really have some fun, I assure you. It is amazing what's happening, and my room is no good. And my hearing is not good either. I am sorry to say I am the weakest part of my whole soundsystem. Still I can't just wait what is going to happen next day or week. The breaking in period is very exiting. Would love to have a video on this, and if you still think the same about these speakers, let's say after a year or so? Long term testing and listening as such? Do try out Vanessa Fernandez : - When the levee breaks...
Thanks Steve, yes, "Speakers-Speakers-Speakers" Several years ago, I discovered the "Sumiko" Method of speaker placement, and what ! a difference it made. Although, it took several months (a few hours at a time), moving 50 lb. speakers around, when the sound stage popped into place, WoW ! Since then, I haven't added anything but, more music to my collection. KB.
Just great stuff Steve
Many thanks to Steve Guttenberg for his excellent analyses and explanations. It is rare to find a knowledgeable audiophile with Steve's credentials who possesses the knowledge, interpersonal skills, pedagogical savvy, and humility that Steve conveys so seamlessly. He doesn't reduce the world's most beautiful equipment to endless charts, graphs, and every conceivable data set. Even the well-intentioned self-described audiophile can be so off-putting that her/his/their work can discourage sincere folks wishing to improve/build upon their sound systems.
Finding someone in the audio world with Steve's knowledge, interpersonal skills, and genuine humility is like finding Bigfoot in Central Park. All one has to do is pick up any issue of your favorite audio journal to understand what makes Steve such a wonderful resource. THANK YOU Steve!!
This is particularly true with the Bose 901. Placement is everything.
Great advice!
You nailed it!
Great info as always from Steve. I have achieved rule #10 with a new tube amp and my old Klipsch.
I have purchased at least 25 sets of speakers and I keep going back to my $8 Klipsch Kg1 set. They just make me happy
Rule #11 books are great for room acoustics if you place the bindings inward.
Great job Steve, just subscribed, and liked!
The Audiophiliac aka The Audiophile Zen Master, great points!!
I agree with all of the rules you pointed out. It is fun!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I love your common sense approach.
I follow a guy in England Kelvin Stereo review X he specialises in reviewing vintage affordable hi fi.
Between you two you are blowing away a lot of hi fi myth's.
I am now at a stage where if it sounds right to me then it's right.
Also as I said to him in one comment and I will repeat to you
I trust your ears.😉👍
Great list!
All audiophiles or people interested in audio equipment should see this. All the rules are very true! Spot on Guttenberg!
Great info!
Steve, another alternative to a bad room besides headphones is near field listening. Not only does this greatly affect the degradation of the sound from room acoustics, it also has the same effect as increasing speaker sensitivity and/or power from the amplifier. When I am in the mood to listen at levels similar to those used when recording and mixing the music (and when the wife is out) 😁 I like to listen at distances from about 2 to 4 feet, depending on the speaker. This allows the one to listen at levels not unlike what were used to make the recording, therefore rendering it’s tonal balance similar to what the engineers/producers/artists heard (due to the Fletcher/Munson effect) when they judged the amount of EQ and compression to employ. Having worked in the pro-sound industry, this is the only way that I can afford to approach the sound quality that I heard in the studios, in some cases even better than what was heard in the studios. Thanks for the succinct and useful tips to help people understand what to focus on to get the best sound from their systems.
Great video!
Thank you Steve. Rule number one is so important. Sometimes the slightest change in position will make a drastic change in sound.
Listen and trust your ears.
So true there is great digital.
Mastering is more important than analog vs digital
Live is live, it is the perfection we seek
The room is the most important single component
Bad sounding rooms just sound bad
A great set of headphones is great, but great speakers are better.
Sorry, though, I need to show you what a small speaker can do, and the right size speaker is the most important factor in a room. If your speaker is too large for the room it will blur and overload the room. I would say there is a right size for each room.
and for number 10, thank you for expressing such clear thoughts on our love, the quest to recreate the sound of live music, The impossible dream.
13th commandment: Thous shalt not "Add to Cart"