Share your favorite free (or low cost) tweaks!

[Megaken]

What simple change/addition/omission made a significant difference to your hifi system that didn't involve spending tons of money?

Here's a couple of examples:

Using dishwashing sponges to stabilize your components

DIY speaker riser supports:

Thx

 

[Djsedaw]

Have your ears syringed!

 

[Rick63]

My go to item for cheap audio equipment lifts/stabilizers- hockey pucks.

 

[Galliardist]

Apart from speaker positioning which is free and very important, I don't think I've ever had a cheap tweak that worked in my system sound wise. Sticking my first speakers to the stands with blutack did make the burglars think they were permanently attached and too big to get away with, though!

 

[staticV3]

$30 opens up the world of room correction:

Could use some 101 advice

Hello, First of all I‘d like to say I’m super impressed with the wealth of exact information and knowledge available here. I had a homestudio once but started traveling about five years ago and haven’t done anything with recording music since. It is now that I’ve temporarily settled in a place...

www.audiosciencereview.com

 

[Purité Audio]

REW and a microphone.
Keith

 

[Megaken]

REW and a microphone.
Keith

Ugh I have a minidsp with Dirac, and after measurements and correction it sounds worse. So I didn't even bother with REW. Maybe I should/will try that though. I had a different system in the same room with Audyssey, and that one did absolute wonders (and was much more user-friendly and straightforward than Dirac/rew).

 

[BDWoody]

Best tweak ever.

Before, everything was just too bright.

After:

Ahhh... That's better.

 

[Hollywood_Bob]

Steelseries GG has a parametric EQ (sonar) and its free. Easy to set up.

I have implemented some of Amir's EQ settings in his equipment reviews (headphones, speakers) and they have improved the sound.

SteelSeries GG Software

GG helps create better connections with your gear, your people and your game through apps like Sonar, Engine, Moments and 3D Aim Trainer.

steelseries.com

 

[Chr1]

MathAudio RoomEQ: free

 

[Megaken]

Hah I did this with like half the electronics in the house. Special respect to manufacturers who include dimmers for their indicators

Best tweak ever.

Before, everything was just too bright.

View attachment 351316

After:

View attachment 351317

Ahhh... That's better.

 

[Keith_W]

This tweak will save you a lot of money: if you are a member of a subjectivist forum, leave.

 

[Megaken]

This tweak will save you a lot of money: if you are a member of a subjectivist forum, leave.

You're posting this on a subjectivist forum

 

[JeremyFife]

Stop fretting, listen to music

 

[kemmler3D]

For DSP I've used a refurbished mini-PC from Amazon, about $90-$110 for a full computer to run EQAPO on. Pretty affordable, especially because it's convenient.

My biggest "tweak" for cost-saving is to buy secondhand. I've saved thousands by going for used gear as often as possible.

 

[Mikig]

don't laugh though!!

I never dared buy them!! I've seen them and they cost crazy!! I tried making them at home!! I also read about some blind tests….and I wanted to try them!!!

result? boooh!!!

once a guy at my house, who had come to collect a turntable, was impressed: I was using the large speakers, and I raised the cables from behind.
He didn't understand what I was doing.
He said to me: what did you change? I replied, I simply raised the cables from the ground. He didn't know this "practice" at all.
This is the only test I was able to do.

No one at home is interested to “audio system” and…..the famous kitchen from which even my wife notices the changes; is two floors above my room!!!

 

[Chr1]

Fantastic mate. My thoughts exactly!

Splendid.

 

[isostasy]

Buy some decent earplugs (Etymotic or Sennheiser are my recs) for live music. Will make the live music sound better and retain your hearing so your music sounds better at home too!

 

[Mikig]

I'm very proud of this

Y-shaped USB cable from A/A with double head, to C. Used to power SMSL PO100 Pro via iPhone plus external power supply, a power bank.

Cost: zero, material already at home... just a pair of glasses... and a soldering iron!

 

[boxerfan88]

MathAudio HeadphoneEQ