Unusually Effective New Tweaks For Hi-Fi Systems

Jonathan Valin

Reprinted from: The Absolute Sound, February 2006

Over the last few months, I’ve come across a number of new devices for room treatment and vibration/resonance control that really work in the ways that I like such things to work—which is to say, all of them lower coloration, increase transparency to sources, and raise resolution without killing dynamics.

The first item—or items—is an unconventional room treatment from Synergistic Research, called the ART (Acoustic Room Treatment) system. I will be reviewing these temple-bell-like objects in The Absolute Sound in the near future, but for the time being know that all four parts of this system (the large Vibratron, which sits on a tall tongue-depressor-shaped stand, the smaller Bass Station, Gravitrons, and Magnatrons, which sit on wooden stands in front of your speakers or on little wedges of wood attached to your walls) work together to improve room acoustics by masking early-arrival reflections and comb-filtering, thereby clarifying and seemingly expanding the soundfield. In combination with Shakti Hallographs, which have much the same effects, they can do wonders for reducing brightness in an overly live-sounding room or for controlling midbass resonances in a smaller one. A starter set of ART products (including a Vibratron for the front wall, a Bass Station for the front wall, a Gravitron for the back wall, and two Magnatrons for the sidewalls) will set you back $2995. Granted this is a lot of money (especially if you combine the ART with Hallographs, as I do), but it is a WHOLE lot cheaper than custom-building a dedicated listening room and—from my experience of “scientifically designed” dedicated listening rooms—a whole lot better sounding.

Additional Acoustic ART Reviews:

Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile • AudioJunkies

The Acoustic ART system does some very special things for the sound of a room.”
Jack Roberts, Dagogo

The inspiration for the Acoustic ART system came to our lead designer Ted Denney four years ago while sailing the South Pacific. During his sabbatical, Ted visited Buddhist Temples and observed how Tibetan Prayer Bowls altered temple acoustics. These singing bowls affected a sudden shift in acoustics whenever they were activated, and when additional bowls of varying tone were also activated, the acoustics continued to change. Ted reasoned that a system of resonating bowls could be developed to discreetly treat room acoustics without the need for large unsightly tuning devices.

However, it wasn’t until after Ted returned to the mainland and developed his TESLA Series cables that he revisited the idea of treating room acoustics with resonating bowls. We began our research by studying Helmholtz resonators, which have been used for over a century to tune low frequencies in an acoustic environment. We worked to modify Helmholtz resonator principles to incorporate the full spectrum of sound; not just low frequencies. We found we could tune music with a system of resonators working together in harmony at key acoustic pressure points. Further research led to several patents-pending. The first deals with the use of magnets to contour activation and decay properties of the Vibratron and Magnetron Satellite resonators. The second includes a new resonator shape called the Vibratron that radiates in a 360 degree pattern over a scientifically-arrived-at frequency range. The third utilizes a unique dispersion baffle to precisely control how the Bass Station resonator affects a rooms’ low frequency acoustics. Later we discovered that using spikes to mechanically couple the Bass Station to a room further enhances control of low frequencies (the Bass Station’s Stilettos). Next began a painstaking process to find resonator material with the correct mass that would operate at mathematically-arrived-at frequencies with target decay patterns. The accumulation of these scientific principals sets the Acoustic ART (Analogue Room Treatment) System apart from all other room tuning methods.

Vibratron • Bass Station • Satellite • Hand Tuned & Quantum Tunneling

Reviews & Press for the Acoustic ART:
Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile (Jason Victor Serinus) • Stereophile (Eric Arjes) • AudioJunkies

I have experimented with many different room treatments…none has been so overwhelmingly beneficial.”
Norm Luttbeg, Dagogo

The Vibratron is placed on the front wall behind your main speakers approximately six to eight inches above the height of the tweeters. If a painting, video screen, or other object prevents you from using this location, mount the Vibratron below the obstruction, but as close to the ideal location as possible. You can then place a Gravatron Satellite above the obstruction to approximate the ideal Vibratron placement. This will raise vertical image placement to natural levels and smooth out high frequencies in your system.

If necessary, the Vibratron can also be placed atop a system rack or any piece of furniture located between your main speakers.

Specially developed mid-range tuning magnets are included with the Vibratron, and are used to integrate the Vibratron with your room. Try experimenting by placing all of the magnets atop the Vibratron. You should hear a noticeable increase in mid-range liquidity and warmth. Now remove them completely and listen for a lift in high frequency extension. Finally, experiment with different combinations of large gold magnets and the smaller silver magnets until the desired combination is found.

System • Bass Station • Satellite • Hand Tuned & Quantum Tunneling

Reviews & Press for the Acoustic ART:
Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile (Jason Victor Serinus) • Stereophile (Eric Arjes) • AudioJunkies

I cannot imagine living without my Synergistic Research ACOUSTIC ART Real-Time Analogue Room Treatment.”
Jason Victor Serinus, Secrets of Home Theater and High Fidelity

The Bass Station should be placed directly below the Vibratron, approximately three to six inches out from the front wall, with the dispersion baffle facing your listening position while obstructing the view of its resonator satellite. The Bass Station may also be placed on the floor behind a rack or piece of furniture, just below the Vibratron. This will not hinder the Bass Station’s performance. If necessary, the Bass Station can be positioned in front of the equipment rack or furniture, directly below the Vibratron, and in between your main speakers for a significant improvement in low frequency performance.

Razor sharp patent pending Stilettos are included with the Bass Station to couple the characteristics of its bass resonator to your room. Simply screw the Stilettos into the Bass Station for noticeably tighter low frequencies and precise image placement. If you have carpeted floors, be certain you press down hard on the Bass Station so its razor sharp Stilettos make solid contact with the floor.

System • Vibratron • Satellite • Hand Tuned & Quantum Tunneling

Reviews & Press for the Acoustic ART:
Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile (Jason Victor Serinus) • Stereophile (Eric Arjes) • AudioJunkies

It’s a transformational upgrade to my audio listening.”
Wayne Donnelly, Enjoy The Music

Magnetron Satellite
The Magnetron Satellite’s base uses patent pending magnetic coupling to secure its resonator to the satellite base. The magnetic coupling strategically dampens the resonator to control its decay and frequency response for better integration with the Acoustic ART System.

Magnetron Satellites are used to control first order reflection points along a side-wall for improved image focus, a wider soundstage, and smoother high frequencies. When setting up Magnetron Satellites, have a friend move a mirror along the side-wall between your listening position and the speakers. While sitting in your listening chair, look for the reflection of your speaker’s tweeter in the mirror. This is your first order reflection point and it is the starting point for affixing the Magnetron Satellite to your listening rooms side-wall. Listen to your system with both Satellite’s at the first order reflection point several inches higher than your Vibratron, and above the tweeter level of your main speakers. Next move the Satellites two inches toward your listening position, away from your speakers. If this is a movement in the correct direction, you should hear sweeter highs and a wider sound field. If you lose image focus, try moving them three inches in front of the first order reflection point toward your main speakers. Again listen for image focus and high frequency response. If you cannot place the Magnetron exactly in its first order reflection point, experiment with your options and listen for image focus behind your speakers and for positive changes in high frequencies response. Since all rooms do not have walls that lend themselves to such an install, if necessary, you may forgo the installation of the Magnetron Satellites and still enjoy benefits of the Acoustic ART System.

Gravitron Satellite
The Gravitron Satellite’s resonator sits atop a brass ring that allows for full activation and extended decay of its resonator satellite. This is key to its intended application of equalizing back pressure in a listening room, for amazing wrap around acoustic environments, and is perfect for balancing out less than ideal Vibratron placement. Properly installed, the Gravitron Satellite dramatically smooths all audible frequencies and improves overall soundstaging.

The primary role of the Gravitron Satellite is to balance out pressure along the rear wall of a listening room. With all other Acoustic ART resonators in place, experiment with rear wall placement directly behind your listening position approximately 2/3 to 3/4 of the way up the rear wall. Listen for desired high frequency response and soundstaging.

The secondary role of the Gravitron Satellite is to balance less than ideal Vibratron placement. When forced to place a Vibratron below its ideal location, place a Gravitron vertically above the Vibratron, higher than ideal Vibratron placement, to approximate ideal placement of the Vibratron.

Lastly, the Gravitron Satellite can be used in place of a Vibratron should a more cost effective solution be needed. In this case, follow the Vibratron placement guide.

System • Vibratron • Bass Station • Hand Tuned & Quantum Tunneling

Reviews & Press for the Acoustic ART:
Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile (Jason Victor Serinus) • Stereophile (Eric Arjes) • AudioJunkies

Hand Tuned
Each resonator is forged in the USA from proprietary carbon steel and later case-hardened with a torch. During the hardening process, each resonator is tapped with a small steel hammer. A microphone connected to a spectrum analyzer measures the acoustic property of each resonator. When the resonator reaches its desired acoustic property, it is immediately quenched in an oil bath to halt the case- hardening process. Tuning each resonator ensures proper acoustic properties are met and corrects for variations that can occur in the forging process. The final result is an acoustic treatment system that delivers sound quality like no other – regardless of room size or system configuration.

Quantum Tunneling
In late 2007 we were approached by Ken Gorres, our representative in the Pro Audio market. Ken had been blown away by a Quantum Tunneling demonstration a few weeks back. As part of the demonstration we listened to our reference system with a pair of interconnects that had not been Quantum Tunneled. We then removed the cables, performed the Quantum Tunneling process, and installed them back into the system. Our reference system was transformed with a lower noise floor, expanded sound field, and more extended and transparent frequencies. Ken was incredulous. He wondered out loud if we had ever Quantum Tunneled guitar strings. I told him we had not.

A few weeks passed and Ken was back on the phone. He wanted to bring a couple of his studio musician buddies by to hear our reference system. They showed up with French Horns in hand and after listening to the system for a few hours we headed out to our reverberant factory floor for a live jam session. It was amazing to hear the difference between a relatively inexpensive Yamaha horn and their custom hand built masterpieces. Ken then asked, “Ted, if you would be willing, we would like to Quantum Tunnel the basic Yamaha horn and compare it to the custom horns.” Ted agreed, but warned them he would not be held responsible if the horn took a turn for the worse. They agreed and added, “We’re not letting you touch our babies.” We set the French Horn to be struck by the Tesla Coil and bang! After five minutes we turned the coil off and returned to the factory floor for a listen. The difference was startling. Previously the Yamaha had been noticeably dull by comparison; it now flowed with rich reverberant over tones. With a twinkle in one eye, and a slight expression of trepidation in the other, they handed me their babies. After performing the procedure on their reference horns we returned to the factory for a third jam session. The difference was amazing. We later treated their silver mouthpieces and with each successive treatment, the horns became sweeter with more colorful overtones.

Fast forward to the end of the Acoustic ART development program. It was not long after we perfected the formula for each resonator that we got the idea to Quantum Tunnel them. First we treated a Vibratron, and then the Satellites and Bass Station resonators. The difference was just as it had been with the French horns. There was a noticeable increase in air, a larger sound field, deeper more extended bass, and an overall improvement in transparency. We’re not sure why hitting a resonator with a million volts should exact such a change, but we can certainly hear the difference and so will you.

System • Vibratron • Bass Station • Satellite

Reviews & Press for the Acoustic ART:
Dagogo (Jack Roberts) • Dagogo (Norm Luttbeg) • Secrets of Home Theater & Hi-Fi
Enjoy The Music • Stereophile (Jason Victor Serinus) • Stereophile (Eric Arjes) • AudioJunkies