HFA Audio Setup History 31 – Secondary Setup 2018-2021
Because the IMF’s served so well as front channels for the TV sources and I had two more of them tucked away since forever, I decided to use the extras as surround channels. But where should they be placed? The rear wall was not an option, nor were the side walls. So, I opted to mount them on the ceiling. But how to neatly mount them?
After scratching my head for some time, rejecting any ideas that involved hooks or other visible systems, it struck me. I was going to use a slide-on system, made of MDF.
After fitting the ceiling plate with two screws, the speaker can simply slide on.
Et voila: an invisibly-mounted speaker!
Of course, me being me, not too long after finishing the 4-channel IMF setup, it all needed to be changed again. In my defense, though, it wasn’t really my fault. You see, as “leftovers” from the surround system in the main setup, I still had four Martin Logan Fresco speakers. I had offered them up for sale but all that this yielded were disrespectfully low offers. Ultimately, I decided to put them to good use! Alas, that meant that I needed to close the holes in the wall, how fortunate that I retained the gypsum blocks!
Back in went the gypsum block that I had sawed out mere months earlier… It might look like irreparable damage at first…
…but as long as the block is properly aligned and enough plaster is at hand, such jobs can always be brought to a good end.
Hey, presto! And that’s how you swap built-in IMF’s for on-wall Martin Logans, with not a trace of the former big square cavities in the wall.
Of course, the neatly suspended rear-channel IMF’s also had to make way for two Martin Logan speakers.
At the time of writing (01-06-2021), the secondary system’s main components have remained unchanged for over a year, which is something of a miracle for me:-).
Although, I did add the AVID Pulsare II phono stage to the system, added acoustic treatments (see the RTFS Carreau review), and changed the color of the front wall from “Sea Salt” to “Stone Grey”.
Your setup history is the single greatest audiophile read ever, and I’ve read a lot online and in the magazines. I think it especially resonated with me because it so eloquently captures the hardware side of our hobby and made me reminisce of some of the past equipment I’ve owned including B&W Nautilus, Magnepan, REL, Meridian and others.
I’m sure it’s only because of lack of time but someday I really hope to read the subsequent entries the bridge from 2018 to the current snapshot. Much less important, but I’d also love to read a review/how you got to your Magico’s as a reference.
No need to respond and thanks so much for all your effort – it comes through admirably in all your writings!
Hi Ryan, thanks for your kind words! You guessed right:-) All my time is consumed with reviews but completing the HFA Audio History remains on the list. As soon as there is time, I will add another chapter. Here’s to hoping I will someday catch up with the current state!
Hi Ryan, I’m happy to let you know that I have just added a new chapter to the HFA Audio Setup History. And not only that, another chapter is in the works, which will bring us up to date with the current situation.