My (SMT) room

[Marcus]

Slowly but steadily The room is getting its shape.

 

[Sharok]

Well, it’s time to introduce a part of my path to better sound. I hope you find it interesting.

We used to live in a beautiful apartment in a late ninety century house that had more than 80 cm thick brick walls, 3.6m high ceilings, floating wooden floor and ceiling with ancient rock and dry grass insulation. Perhaps this sounds like inferior place for a high-end music system, but it was anything but that. The living/music room was 5.2 x 5.5 x 3.6m and it was very good. Acoustic treatment was not necessary but I did a few experiments with several bass traps and panels nonetheless. In the end I removed them all… This room had no excessive bass peaks or deeps, it was reasonably balanced and I was very happy. As my family expanded so did the need for a bigger apartment and we ended up in a modern penthouse apartment (made from concrete and steel) with huge windows and amazing vistas and lots of sunlight. BUT, the sound of the system in a new living room (7.3 x 3.6 x 2.7m) was bad, really bad.

A help from the acoustics expert was therefore necessary but I was not prepared to convert this beautiful room to the studio just yet. Rives Audio seemed like a reasonable and cost effective firm to “solve the problem”, so we agreed on a level 1+ consultation that involved window treatments (Hunter Douglas honey comb cellular shades - Duete) two bass traps (Real Traps Corner Mondo traps), ceiling and first reflection treatments (RPG Bad Panels) and a huge custom reflector oval wall made from wood. Results were unfortunately...hm, let's be polite - unsatisfactory. With all of these treatments the room became “dead” and dull, soundstage was small, closed in, dynamics was compressed and problems with bass nodes remained. No wonder I was desperate and very unhappy.

While I was searching for alternative acoustics specialist for second opinion and a possible solution, I came across a company called SMT (Svanå Miljöteknik AB) from Sweden. Matts Odemalm told me that I’m the fourth or even the fifth person that asked him for help after Rives “did their job” and that he successfully helped all of them. I think there was even a thread about that on WBF but I’m not sure. Anyway, I was glad and encouraged by stellar references, their “diffusion philosophy” and great looks I decided to go with SMT.

The project lasted 8 months to complete but it’s worth every penny. The Rives designed big reflector oval wall was replaced by a new false wall, made from three V4 Varitune bass traps, three V-wings diffusers, three Flower wings and two TP600 pillars, on first reflection points are two mobile transparent Wings and ceiling is covered with 21 AD20 diffusers. The sound of SMT treated room is amazing compared to the Rives. Open and airy. Big, deep, wide and defined soundstage with great focus and lots of details. Problems with compressed dynamics vanished and bass problems were drastically reduced although did not disappear completely…Yet! I’m waiting for fine tuning instructions from Matts and that’s about it.

Hi Marcus,
Do you know the frequency deviation of Botticelli speakers?
the specs says 22-40K but doesn't specify the frequency deviation, is it at +/-3db or something else?

 

[Marcus]

Have no idea. Have never seen any lab measurements of Botticellis or any other AlsyVox speaker.

 

[hb22]

With this post, I’m starting to log build phases of our alpine log house with a dedicated listening room in the basement. Dimensions of the house are 12 x 6m, the listening room will be 6 x 8 x 2.7m. A modest SMT Level 1.5 system will be installed, focus is on warm and cozy feeling. If you like my present listening room, you will like a new one at least as much.

Here’s a look from the plot (April 2023), just before preparations and construction begun.

View attachment 113824

The most beautiful place in the world!

 

[Marcus]

Just got some renderings of the room from the architect. Considering renderings of other rooms were quite representative to the final look, this is more or less what I will start with. No SMT or any other acoustic treatments.

 

[tima]

Just got some renderings of the room from the architect. Considering renderings of other rooms were quite representative to the final look, this is more or less what I will start with. No SMT or any other acoustic treatments.

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Quite nice. Wood is very appealing. A lighter touch that is enhanced by the brick. Are the walls and celing pine?

 

[Marcus]

Thanks. Spruce on walls and ceiling, oak for the bar and stairs. Everything deeply brushed and oiled.

 

[Johan K]

Just got some renderings of the room from the architect. Considering renderings of other rooms were quite representative to the final look, this is more or less what I will start with. No SMT or any other acoustic treatments.

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Very nice Marcus, very nice indeed ! Is this a basement room?

/ Jk

 

[Marcus]

Thank you Johan! This is only the beginning. See post #99.

 

[Johan K]

Thank you Johan! This is only the beginning. See post #99.

Yeah buddy☝!!!
Definitely basement ..LOL !!!

Amazing job you’ve done - I love it !!

 

[phoni]

Hi Marcus,

Is your listening room finished yet? Are you happy with its sound quality? A few photos would be great!


Best regards

 

[Marcus]

Not yet, but the good news is that the carpenter has already finished the necessary work in his workshop and will start installing wall and ceiling spruce formwork next week. The interesting part is that all formwork will be brushed three times(!), which results in a very deep relief and oiled two times for a nice look. Will post photos asap.

 

[Steveo]

Hi Marcus, your system signature states Avalon Isis.Do you have the Isis?

 

[Marcus]

Yes, for quite some time.

 

[orfeo_monteverdi]

Yes, for quite some time. [Avalon Isis]

IIRC, I once saw a pair of Alsyvox in your SMT room, correct?
If so, why Avalon?

 

[Dane33]

IIRC, I once saw a pair of Alsyvox in your SMT room, correct?
If so, why Avalon?

They are simply much more right. At least for my ears and heart. I am still paying montly rate for my pair...

 

[orfeo_monteverdi]

I did not know Avalon was still alive.
Does anyone have a link to a summary of their rebirth story? I don't see any with this search. (Is Neil Patel still on board?.)

In 2013, Hi-Fi Advice wrote about the Eclipse : "Yes, just like I heard with the Avalon Monitors, the Eclipses have quite a bit of coloration." (review). But that was 12 years ago. And I always wondered with those woofer-and-tweeter-only designs, where is the midrange? Now they have a specific midrange driver.
I guess things must have changed dramatically since 2013, probably for the best. But how did it happened?

The Isis will be demoed on the Brussels hifi show next week (with Vitus amplifiers). I will surely attend.

 

[Marcus]

IIRC, I once saw a pair of Alsyvox in your SMT room, correct?
If so, why Avalon?

Correct. I have owned various Avalon speakers for more than two decades. Started with the excellent two-way Arcus then moved to Eidolon Diamond, and a few years later toTime and, after a short break with AlsyVox Botticelli finished with Isis — the best Avalon I have heard by a mile. Listened to the Isis Signature, Saga and Saga Signature a few times, but IMO, the latest Avalons are not what they used to be. So I bought the original Isis. Although I agree the midrange of the very old two-way Avalons lacked in resolution, all of them possessed Avalon “magic” - tonally dense and musical midrange and impressive 3D presentation.

Avalon never officially died AFAIK, although their limited presence and bad customer support certainly gives the feeling you justifiably have.