No cost tweaks
The simplest, most cost-effective measure to the most out of your audio system is to set up the
system properly. The following offers some advice on set-up:
a. Component Placement:
Place all of your components on as solid a surface as possible. The
heavier and sturdier the foundation, the better. This usually means a solid equipment rack that is
spiked into the carpet or that sits squarely on the floor with no wobble. If preferred, you can also
locate the amplifier on the floor. Due to the extremely efficient design of our heat sinks, there is no
need to be concerned about any large ventilation areas around the units. Both, the various Stratos
models and the Tempest Pre-Amplifier can be situated in tight areas, but should be kept away from
excessively humid areas, as in the case with all audio / video components.
b. Power Cords:
Where possible, make sure that the power cords of your components do not
overlap anywhere. These cables carry electromagnetic fields that could interfere with each other,
and thus overlapping could lead to "grainier" sound and other audible effects. Where cords must
cross each other, separate the cords by several inches using a small block of Styrofoam or wood.
c. Interconnects and Speaker Cables:
The same logic used for the power cord layout applies to
interconnects and speaker cables, although to a lesser degree. Even though it is more difficult to
separate these cables without overlapping, try to lay them out as parallel as possible. Again, the
use of Styrofoam or similar material to separate the cables is recommended. It is especially
important to make sure power cords are separated from the interconnects and speaker cables.
d. Loudspeaker Placement:
Placement of speakers in your listening room is probably the single
most important aspect of proper system set-up. First, set up your speakers by following the
recommendations in your manufacturer's owners manual as close as possible. Secondly, try to
avoid having your loudspeakers' drivers "look at" reflective surfaces such as windows or mirrors,
especially at short distances. It is also important to try to minimize the effect of sound reflection
from the side walls to your listening position. Left unchecked, this strong reflection (technically
referred to as the first reflection point) will result in less precise imaging and "smearing" of the
soundstage. This is due to the fact that the sound reaches your ear from the reflected path slightly
later than the sound originating directly from the speaker.
If the owner's manual for your speakers does not provide you with any specific procedures
for speaker placement, we would like to offer a basic rule of thumb. First, measure your
room in the direction that the speakers will face (usually this is the length of the room as
opposed to the width). Divide this distance by odd integers-- 3, 5, 7, and so on. This will
provide the theoretical distances that the front of the speakers should be positioned from
the back wall to minimize the effect of standing waves that develop within the room.
Individual room configurations, furniture, and other factors cause the ideal speaker
location to vary a bit from these theoretical positions, but these are usually the best points
to begin listening tests. A typical example is provided below:
Example: Suppose your listening room measures 15 ft. long x 12 ft. wide, and the
speakers will face the room's length-wise direction. Theoretically, the front of the speakers
should be positioned at 5 ft., 4 ft., 3 ft., etc. from the rear wall. Try a couple of these
distances as starting points and make slight adjustments as needed.
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