Videos of Acoustically-Coupled Audio Recordings

[hopkins]

Hi hopkins!

Has your objective with this series of recording experiments on this track been to: 1) make the sound of the video as representative as possible of the sound you are hearing in the room, or 2) make the sound of the video as good as possible (on a standalone basis, separate and apart from what you are hearing in the room)?

I would say both - but more importantly see if I could improve the sound of my system in my room ! I probably failed on all counts

I started out publishing a few videos a year ago when I put together this system because it is very different from "conventional" systems. I was quite enthusiastic about it, and I knew some people out there were curious about it (some - very few! - have contacted me as a result, and some may have contacted the manufacturer to enquire about it).

When reading about "atypical" systems (for example, on this very site, this one: https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/why-synergy-horns.36560/) I often wish the authors would post a video so that we could get a sense of whether the system "works" - does it correspond to the type of sound we are looking for ? Are there things about it that are deal breakers ? etc... You cannot really rely on what the owners say themselves (unless they are very experienced and you can get a sense of what they are doing from their "journey"), and not every system gets reviewed (and can reviews be trusted as well?). There have been so many instances where I have read rave reviews of a speaker, and thought it sounded terrible when I finally heard it. You simply don't know until you have heard it for yourself.

I don't expect a video to give the whole picture, but it provides some clues. I think we are all curious to hear how others' systems sound, and we do not have the luxury to experience all these systems live. Every system is unique to some extent, so it is all potentially interesting - and fun.

I was not planning on making so many videos, but when there is a track I like or I think sounds a little different than what we are used to hearing (whether because of the music or the system), I make a video! It has taken a life of its own...

I also found that it was interesting to look back on my previous videos, with fresh ears, and see how my system has evolved over the past year (I could obviously do that without publishing videos).

With this specific track, I made some negative comments about the Suncast video, but it is all relative. There is a lot to like in Suncast's system, and it has highlighted the limitations of mine - which is frustrating to some extent, and probably the reason why I made a few attempts at improving things - this is how we progress. The difficulty is knowing "what needs to be fixed" - everything ? Maybe! The room, the amplifier, the speakers... I know my room is far from ideal, I know the manufacturer is working on fixing something (I should hear from him soon), and I know the speakers have their limitations (but also some interesting aspects). I "tweaked" the speakers and am now wondering whether that was a good idea..

For some people, it's all about the room, for others it's all about the source or the amplification, for others it's all about the speakers - that is also something we can share with videos - the impact of some changes. However, concerning "components" (aside for speakers), I have not really been impressed so far with comparative videos. To give an example, Jay's Audio Lab's videos comparing amplifiers are too subtle for me - maybe really high quality recording equipment is required to better highlight subtle differences, I don't know.

 

[hopkins]

There's an interesting video by the Audiophiliac where he interviews one of his viewers who explains that he does not trust his own hearing! Perhaps I don't either. I love listening to my system , but I also go through episodes of doubt. Perhaps videos are simply a way of taking a step back and seing (listening to) things from a different perspective...

 

[PeterA]

There's an interesting video by the Audiophiliac where he interviews one of his viewers who explains that he does not trust his own hearing! Perhaps I don't either. I love listening to my system , but I also go through episodes of doubt. Perhaps videos are simply a way of taking a step back and seing (listening to) things from a different perspective...

I think this is true. Another thing I have found is that I can send two videos to a friend who will listen and comment and tell me something that was not obvious to me, or I simply focused on other aspects. These private exchanges help me to understand videos better, and to expand my view on what to listen for and how that aspect changes from one video to another. I have learned much through the process and it has improved my ability to understand what the actual system is doing in the room. Videos in this sense are a tool for learning about listening and for documenting a period in time, a reference to which one can later return for sobriety.

 

[hopkins]

I took a video with my phone and the Sonic Presence SP15 microphone (the one Fermer used...) but the recording volume was extremly low (on the few android video apps I tried) so I had to boost it by 20db using Audacity, and there is some hiss. The microphone works fine with audio apps (I used Field Recorder Pro at a concert, and the results were good).

Here is the video of my late night listening session, so you can see the system in action, its more fun than a picture... (please note that the "decor" is still work in progress! I hang an acoustic curtain when I listen, and will put a proper curtain in due time).

https://storage.googleapis.com/cloudplayer/samples/All%20Of%20Me.mp4

I'll post a video on YouTube once I have figured things out.

The original track (my favorite "genre"... and it sounds great on these speakers)

 

[Rexp]

I had another go at it today. My speakers were a little too far apart, and the mic is not as close. Still not terribly happy with the recording, but it sounds ok on my speakers. The tonality seems to me pretty good (more to my taste than on the Suncoast video) but it is too congested... There is room for improvement !

I like it better than the Suncoast now! The Suncoast does have more body and better sound staging but yours has better flow which is key for digital playback. Quite surprised all you did was adjust your speaker/mic set up.

 

[hopkins]

I like it better than the Suncoast now! The Suncoast does have more body and better sound staging but yours has better flow which is key for digital playback. Quite surprised all you did was adjust your speaker/mic set up.

I am not sure the difference is so noticeable. I actually also rewired my speakers - I use flat DIY cables and they were a mess (connections were not great either), but I am not sure that explains the difference. The speakers were too far apart.

 

[Rexp]

I am not sure the difference is so noticeable. I actually also rewired my speakers - I use flat DIY cables and they were a mess (connections were not great either), but I am not sure that explains the difference. The speakers were too far apart.

Sure it's all relative. I wouldn't worry about getting the G lightfoot track to sound good, the recording quality is not as good as the J Cash version IMO.

 

[hopkins]

On this recording (after more adjustment of the speaker placement) I think the comparison with the original track on Qobuz with headphones ( I use Etymotic ER4SR) is fairly satisfying in the sense that the tone of the violin is pretty good.

Listen to V. Ciaccona by Sigiswald Kuijken on Qobuz https://open.qobuz.com/track/264384

 

[Rexp]

On this recording (after more adjustment of the speaker placement) I think the comparison with the original track on Qobuz with headphones ( I use Etymotic ER4SR) is fairly satisfying in the sense that the tone of the violin is pretty good.

Listen to V. Ciaccona by Sigiswald Kuijken on Qobuz https://open.qobuz.com/track/264384

Sounds great, unfortunately that album doesn't sound as good on Tidal IMO probably due to being MQAed. Any chance of recording that Vanessa Fernandez track? https://open.qobuz.com/track/95262790

 

[Rexp]

I might buy this system purely on the back of this youtube video:

 

[hopkins]

I might buy this system purely on the back of this youtube video:

Bold choice of music (Vandross). Brings back fond memories of my college days (20 years before that version ..so 40 years ago "already"!)

 

[tima]

I might buy this system purely on the back of this youtube video:

Clear, a touch glittery, but lacks weight and tonal depth. Where's the bass?

 

[hopkins]

Sounds great, unfortunately that album doesn't sound as good on Tidal IMO probably due to being MQAed. Any chance of recording that Vanessa Fernandez track? https://open.qobuz.com/track/95262790

I'm working on some further improvements to the acoustics of my room and will make some other recordings after...

 

[hopkins]

Someone mentioned in another thread that my recording of G.Lightfoot lacked bass, which is true (my speakers are a little bass shy, could always add a sub at some point), but I found that to be the case with the Suncoast recording as well, which is more surprising given the speakers (in the room you can see subs, but I doubt they were on for that demo).

I know my microphone only goes down to 40hz (more likely 50). I don't know which microphone was used by Suncoast.Something to consider when watching YouTube recordings?

 

[hopkins]

It is interesting to check what various bass frequencies actually sound like on your speakers and headphones. I'll also record some for my own use and compare them with my headphones and speakers, to check how my various microphones and recording devices affect the sound.

 

[hopkins]

No surprise, the track is silent on my small Vanatoo desktop speakers



The bump at 20hz was probably outside noise.

 

[hopkins]

On my open baffle speakers, a 20hz signal is inaudible. A 30hz signal is faint, and things start to move around 40hz. I doubt most of the cheap microphones we use for recordings even pick up 40hz, but i’ll give it a try.

 

[hopkins]

I have not had the opportunity to test my microphones, but from various specs available online, it seems pretty clear that reproducing deep bass response with the sort of recording equipment we use is simply not possible. So you can enjoy organ music at home, but don't bother recording it...

Bass reproduction is simply one aspect where YouTube videos fall short.

Ambiance is also probably very difficult to reproduce. Microphone placement here is key, and the listening position may not always be the best choice.

Low level detail is yet another aspect which will not translate well, as various microphones and ADCs vary on sensitivity...

 

[hopkins]

TotalDac's YouTube channel offer recordings with high quality Schoep microphones.

Here's one video covering the Munich 2023 show:

It's a sad reminder of how difficult it is to get good sound from a system in these audio show rooms! Or is it the systems themselves ? Probably a bit of both

If you want to assess the quality of their recording equipment, they have a few videos on their channel where they have recorded instruments (not speakers).

 

[Rexp]

TotalDac's YouTube channel offer recordings with high quality Schoep microphones.

Here's one video covering the Munich 2023 show:

It's a sad reminder of how difficult it is to get good sound from a system in these audio show rooms! Or is it the systems themselves ? Probably a bit of both

If you want to assess the quality of their recording equipment, they have a few videos on their channel where they have recorded instruments (not speakers).

I don't think these recordings are that great, a good mic isn't everything it seems.