HFA Audio Setup History 33 – Invaluable Advice – 2021-2024
Originally, the fridge was built into a laminated particle board enclosure. Relatively neat but rather cheap in appearance. What I wanted was to fully enclose the fridge into two walls.
So, it was time to build a second wall out of gypsum blocks.
The edges were solidified with metal strips.
The metal strips also make for a tight finish after applying many layers of caulk.
Re-fitting the fridge took some effort, as the doors had to be precisely aligned with the new walls on each side.
When done, I was hugely satisfied! Not only did the fridge look better than ever, but working at the desk felt so much more roomy!
Next, all that needed doing was to find a matching door to close the heightened top section. Fortunately, Bruynzeel could still supply a door in the same style and almost the same color. If you look carefully, you can see the difference in tone, but in practice, I never noctice it.
Online, I found some nice aluminum grilles to complete the clean and industrial look I was after. The top section was easy, but I could not find a grill that would fit the required space in the bottom section precisely, so I resorted to creating it from three separate pieces. At the time, I found this to be a makeshift solution, but it has grown on me, and now I feel it adds to the industrial style. Sometimes, restrictions can work magic.
I love my Artesania audio racks, but after reviewing the HRS EXR Audio Stand, I had to make a move. I chose to sell two of my Exoteryc racks and various other things to free up some budget to purchase two new EXR racks. The Exoteryc racks sold like hotcakes, and within days, my system was reduced to the core seen below.
The system almost looks lost all the way in the back, doesn’t it? 🙂
When the HRS racks arrived, I could not wait to implement them and complete the system again.
This concludes this lengthy report. The next installment is already in the works, but for a change, it will not cover more changes in the main system but rather in the other end of the apartment.
Overview of all HFA Audio Setups
Summaries of small iterative changes in the Setups
Damn interesting Christiaan. Specially so, because fate turned against us and we got our house on fire. Literally. So my listening room got lost ans all devices in it. To give you an idea: Mola Mola KUla, Grimm MU1, REL Carbon special and Diptyque DP-160’s and of course some quality electronics, cables, acoustic measures and the like.
We temporally live in another house. Recovery will take months , perhaps even a year.,
Means that I have start from scratch. Having learned a lot the past few years concerning acoustics, synergy of components. So I could do with some advice on the different aspects. Starting with working on the acoustic quality of the room. It soon will be stripped so that the bare walls of what once was a garage (later extended a bit) will be visible and form the start.
My question: where/how to start? Acoustics, components , pitfalls and tips …anything.
I’d be most grateful!
Greetz,
Henk (Venlo)
Hi Henk, nice to hear you find it interesting! Alas, these things are so hard to predict and so utterly situation-dependent that I can’t provide much in the way of meaningful tips beyond what I mentioned in this report and other articles on this site. But one general rule (although not sacred) is that it is good to strive for left/right symmetry. Left/Right walls should ideally be identical in terms of material and objects. So, ideally two hard walls. If you have one hard wall and one glass area (as I have), you’re going to be in for a lot of trouble. Square rooms are also to be avoided as the main single resonance mode will overrule and be very hard, if not impossible, to cure. Other than this, I’m afraid it is a matter of trial and error. Of course, I am no acoustical expert, and you might get better input from people who studied for this.
Thanks Christiaan, perhaps a good idea tot first contact an acoustician
Have a great summer!
Henk