Playground for practical listening exercises

[Charlie1]

Also preferred #1 which seemed easier to follow

[lejonklou]

Better or worst?
Just moved the power strip in the socket.
Kaos (Chaos), our cat, heard his name screwed out so he turned up in the second clip :P

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9B8 ... W-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Q6h ... B-1280.mp4

Second definitely better!

[lejonklou]

Here’s a little more light entertainment :-)

https://www.dropbox.com/s/jxpxcwbe0wzn ... 2.mov?dl=0

This next one has two changes applied. 1. The safety grounds are joined at the system end (with a 2.5mm2 ground wire going back to the consumer unit/service panel), rather than at the consumer unit/service panel & 2. The Dorik amp’s are both protected by one breaker & the DS + Melco are both protected by a second breaker ie one power circuit (of two radials) for the “brawn” (fluctuating high current) and one (of two radials) for the “brain” (more regular low current).

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kona4ki9lqmo ... 7.mov?dl=0

Enjoy!

First one definitely better!

[lejonklou]

Some friendly tips when making comparative clips:

• Film or record from the exact same position each time.
• Try keeping the volume identical each time.
• It's much easier comparing two clips than three or more. More than two decreases certainty, simplicity and participation.
• If using a phone, quit apps and set it to flight mode before recording.
• If using a phone, point the camera towards the loudspeakers and keep the area around the phone's microphone free (keep away from limiting surfaces such as a table or a wall). Don't point the microphone towards the speakers, it sounds worse.

[Charlie1]

I definitely find two clips easiest to deal with although I have posted more at times for various reasons.

Never tried quiting apps and using flight mode so will try to remember to do that.

If I'm comparing elements that shift the volume (ie preamp) then I make 2 - 3 very short clips of option B and listen back on my phone to select the closest volume match to A. I then make the final B recording - it's not a lengthy process.

[maffe]

Some friendly tips when making comparative clips:

• Film or record from the exact same position each time.
• Try keeping the volume identical each time.
• It's much easier comparing two clips than three or more. More than two decreases certainty, simplicity and participation.
• If using a phone, quit apps and set it to flight mode before recording.
• If using a phone, point the camera towards the loudspeakers and keep the area around the phone's microphone free (keep away from limiting surfaces such as a table or a wall). Don't point the microphone towards the speakers, it sounds worse.

Would like to ad two more to the list:

- Remove any form of case from your phone
- Keep your hand away from the microphone, it might work as a funnel

[maffe]

Better or worst?
Just moved the power strip in the socket.
Kaos (Chaos), our cat, heard his name screwed out so he turned up in the second clip :P

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-9B8 ... W-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Q6h ... B-1280.mp4

Second definitely better!

Thx for the input Charlie1, Beck and Fredrik!
We are in agreement, Kaos always get his saying ;)

[Tendaberry]

So there you have it, next big upgrade a cat that loves music!

Oh yes 😸

[Tendaberry]

• If using a phone, point the camera towards the loudspeakers and keep the area around the phone's microphone free (keep away from limiting surfaces such as a table or a wall). Don't point the microphone towards the speakers, it sounds worse.

That's what I did wrong, maybe that's why it was so difficult in my comparisons?

[maffe]

Today I played around little more with speaker placement, Kaos did not want to help me today so I hope you guys can :)
I forgot to make a new "before" clip, so same music as last one.

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Q6h ... B-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-t4Q ... n-1280.mp4

[Charlie1]

I like both.

I find the opening section easier to follow on clip 1.

But once things pick up and the track gets going then I find it easier to follow clip 2.

I'd pick clip 2 overall if it were my choice.

[beck]

I feel the same way as Charlie1.

[kampak]

I prefer no.2 from start to end

so far the best of all clips above.

lg K

[beck]

.....feel like Charlie1 in that I prefer clip 2 and I agree with Kampak! :-)

[maffe]

Again Thx!
Have more work to do, still not down to less then 4-5cm moves.

[tokenbrit]

I can hear why 2 might be preferred but it also loses something from 1... Hopefully Kaos can help you find the sweet spot somewhere in between - cats are good at that :)

[Spannko]

I give in. They both sound like a cornered hyena to me. Have you got any James Last?

[maffe]

I give in. They both sound like a cornered hyena to me. Have you got any James Last?

James Last how long?
Refused and "Death in Vännes" is just like any pop music :P

[maffe]

I can hear why 2 might be preferred but it also loses something from 1... Hopefully Kaos can help you find the sweet spot somewhere in between - cats are good at that :)

Two more clips

First two same placement as last, Kaos did "help"...
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gn9 ... j-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gJb ... C-1280.mp4

2 cm change in position:
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HbH ... r-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dcC ... F-1280.mp4

Kaos in control:

[beck]

Kaos is a wise cat.

I am a simple man and I like the “simple” sound from the Kaos clips. It all comes together and stay together creating a denser sound. Less “hifi”, more “body” (first two clips this time around).

[tokenbrit]

Kaos theory - 2nd set; "2 cm change in position" for me, thanks :)

[Charlie1]

I prefer clip 1 in each pair although I think the second option offers something in its own right.

Maffe, what pressing of Violator is that? I confess to only owning the CD. I always assumed original vinyl pressings would be too much and modern pressings wouldn’t sound very good but perhaps I am wrong...depending on your answer.

It sounds great with DM btw - really suits your setup.

[tokenbrit]

Kaos theory - 2nd set; "2 cm change in position" for me, thanks :)

Less convinced after listening on my phone, rather than my laptop, but not enough to change my vote... Maybe another, better, speaker position lurking somewhere?

[maffe]

Kaos is a wise cat.

Cat Power ;)

Kaos theory - 2nd set; "2 cm change in position" for me, thanks :)

Less convinced after listening on my phone, rather than my laptop, but not enough to change my vote... Maybe another, better, speaker position lurking somewhere?

I started working on that, but got stuck with just listening to music :)
"The Clash" first 5 albums, Kaos really happy about this choice!

I prefer clip 1 in each pair although I think the second option offers something in its own right.

Maffe, what pressing of Violator is that? I confess to only owning the CD. I always assumed original vinyl pressings would be too much and modern pressings wouldn’t sound very good but perhaps I am wrong...depending on your answer.

It sounds great with DM btw - really suits your setup.

Thx!
It´s this press I have:

https://www.discogs.com/Depeche-Mode-Vi ... ase/524566

[lejonklou]

I can hear why 2 might be preferred but it also loses something from 1... Hopefully Kaos can help you find the sweet spot somewhere in between - cats are good at that :)

Two more clips

First two same placement as last, Kaos did "help"...
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-Gn9 ... j-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-gJb ... C-1280.mp4

2 cm change in position:
https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-HbH ... r-1280.mp4

https://photos.smugmug.com/photos/i-dcC ... F-1280.mp4

Kaos in control:

I think the first position is better.

Is the second 2 cm further out (away from the wall behind the speaker) or further in? If any of those, I would try 0.5 cm instead.