SYPatrick
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- Dec 19, 2025
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I tried to upgrade my system and ran into abit of roadblock. Main music type is electro pop, but I listen to all genre and watch movies.
The upgrade goal was to get a system that had the best spatial cues(the sound environment)/ holographic imaging, and clarity/very clean bass.
*Current set up: Room - apartment is rented so renovation is limited. I have bass traps on right, left leads to stairwell which doesn't trap base. right side is windows which I covered the FRP with some sound absorbing foam panel. MLP - speakers about 3 meters apart, I sit 3 meters from speaker, and 2 meters from the wall behind me Old system - Denon PMA 600 with Elac 403(which I now find it a very holographic system per dollar) Attempted upgrade System - tried to keep things simple, and got a M33 with MA Plat 100(3G) , and SMSL SU-X with 8341As.
*SU-X + 8341A: If spatial cues and holographic is a property of speaker, the ones certainly didn't reproduce that type of sound. Less than Denon 600 with Elac 403, certainly. While the ones do sound very neutral, clean basss, and has a clear center(but no depth or too much spatial cue) . Someone on the forum said they sound like headphones, and my did bit too. Not sure how much or what can be improved there.
*I did a true AB blind test between two Denon 600 driven Elac 403 and MA Plat 100, (volume normalized to 59 or 63 db. with two identical cell phone streaming which i shuffled, immediate back-to-back playback, 3 seconds A, 3 seconds B, passage that had spatial cues. )
The test was at 54db and the MA is 3 weeks old. I consistency prefer Elac but by thin margin, the MA Plat 100 is hair brighter and creates a sense of detail that I initially couldn't distinguish from spatial cue. Also learned that 1-2db louder always wins(blind test) so one must match volume within 1db, and that the MA needed to toe in directly facing MLP, while the Elac can cross behind MLP for an arm length and still have a full bodied center (while MA would center collapse if cross behind, perhaps its narrow tweeter radiator design?).
*Do you think the test was fair so MA shall go first, as in that if the room improves so shall both, or is there anything I have done to favor the Elac? I don't mind overhauling the system, budget isn't concern. Is bringing my gear along to "shops" to audition potential gear the only way? Should I even try the Kef Reference 1 Meta or does that sound in the style of the Genelec Ones, or perhaps Kii Three? Any advice or share a tip on how to proceed forward is greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading till here.
The upgrade goal was to get a system that had the best spatial cues(the sound environment)/ holographic imaging, and clarity/very clean bass.
*Current set up: Room - apartment is rented so renovation is limited. I have bass traps on right, left leads to stairwell which doesn't trap base. right side is windows which I covered the FRP with some sound absorbing foam panel. MLP - speakers about 3 meters apart, I sit 3 meters from speaker, and 2 meters from the wall behind me Old system - Denon PMA 600 with Elac 403(which I now find it a very holographic system per dollar) Attempted upgrade System - tried to keep things simple, and got a M33 with MA Plat 100(3G) , and SMSL SU-X with 8341As.
*SU-X + 8341A: If spatial cues and holographic is a property of speaker, the ones certainly didn't reproduce that type of sound. Less than Denon 600 with Elac 403, certainly. While the ones do sound very neutral, clean basss, and has a clear center(but no depth or too much spatial cue) . Someone on the forum said they sound like headphones, and my did bit too. Not sure how much or what can be improved there.
*I did a true AB blind test between two Denon 600 driven Elac 403 and MA Plat 100, (volume normalized to 59 or 63 db. with two identical cell phone streaming which i shuffled, immediate back-to-back playback, 3 seconds A, 3 seconds B, passage that had spatial cues. )
The test was at 54db and the MA is 3 weeks old. I consistency prefer Elac but by thin margin, the MA Plat 100 is hair brighter and creates a sense of detail that I initially couldn't distinguish from spatial cue. Also learned that 1-2db louder always wins(blind test) so one must match volume within 1db, and that the MA needed to toe in directly facing MLP, while the Elac can cross behind MLP for an arm length and still have a full bodied center (while MA would center collapse if cross behind, perhaps its narrow tweeter radiator design?).
*Do you think the test was fair so MA shall go first, as in that if the room improves so shall both, or is there anything I have done to favor the Elac? I don't mind overhauling the system, budget isn't concern. Is bringing my gear along to "shops" to audition potential gear the only way? Should I even try the Kef Reference 1 Meta or does that sound in the style of the Genelec Ones, or perhaps Kii Three? Any advice or share a tip on how to proceed forward is greatly appreciated! Thank you for reading till here.
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