Tips and trick to get better sound on a low budget

[gasolin]

Other the looking thru for sale ads for a good deal, like on amazon or ebay, what is you advice on upgrading,getting better sound on a low budget?

I mean is there any trick,tips to get a good deal or just getting better sound from our hifi system, that don't cost any thing or is cheap?

It could be someting like using books (mabye buy them very cheap) that could raise the speaker so the tweeter is more in the right hight or leaving your power amp on all the time.

 

[matthewpiano]

Paying attention to positioning of the speakers is the biggest one in my experience. Experiment with different distances apart and from the walls and with different amounts of toe-in until you find the best sound. If you have flexibility to adjust your listening position (distance from the wall behind you, listening height etc.) this is also well worth doing.

 

[drummerman]

Good advise from MattewPiano.

I would always suggest getting a pair of speaker stands if you have the space. They dont have to cost a fortune and are a good investment which will usually survive speaker changes.

Also dont be afraid to be a little different or inventive. I recently got some heavy duty doorstops from a well known supermarket and use them for different purposes.

I wouldnt get to involved in tweakery but checking your connections ever so often and clean them with a little contact cleaner will do no harm.

There are usually a myriad different suggestions for any given problem ... you just pick one that suits your particular circumstances.

regards

 

[p_m_brown]

Another one I like to do I learnt from WHF is to cut off the old oxidised bits of speaker cable and to remove and clean the interconnects with some electrical cleaner. Should get a little more clarity.

 

[p_m_brown]

Have a look at this too http://www.whathifi.com/video/get-the-best-from-your-hi-fi

 

[bluedroog]

Position of your speakers for sure, also your rooms soft furnishing can act as good acoustic treatment. Try blutac under your speakers too.

 

[CnoEvil]

Old school good practice is always worth paying attention to ie.

- Speaker positioning / seating position (as has been said)

- Correctly sorting the cabling ie. separation of power and audio cables

- Paying attention to room acoustics

- Isolation of components (Plywood / Squash Balls / Granite Worktop Savers etc)

- Cleaning of all connections and Plug Pins

- Making sure speakers are level and stable

- Where possible plug kit into wall (especially amps) and use switchless sockets

- Mitigation of suspended wooden floors

 

[lindsayt]

When buying equipment if you're willing to do some DIY repairs or servicing this opens up more good deals. Likewise if you're not fussy over cosmetic condition. Also try to look for items that come in under the radar. Kit that should sound good but few people are looking to buy it because it's not well known, or is perceived to sound worse than it actually does. If you ever go on trips to Germany, USA, Japan look out for deals in those countries and collect the item during your trip.

 

[cannibal_ox77]

Can anyone recommend the best product to clean the contacts?

 

[Electro]

Caig Deoxit d5 , expensive but very good .

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Caig-Deoxit-Contact-Cleaner-Spray/dp/B00A2365BI

or Servisol super 10 which is a lot cheaper but still very good .

http://www.auto-connect.co.uk/super-10.html?gclid=CNewn5yw97YCFa7KtAodPVwAeA#.UYJV60qfz-k

 

[drummerman]

Personally I would not recommend any switch cleaners that also lubricate/leave a residual film.

I always use Comma Contact Cleaner to good effect.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-CCL500M-500ml-Contact-Clean/dp/B003IIGVBS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1367497692&sr=8-1&keywords=comma+contact+cleaner

regards

 

[Blackdawn]

Can anyone recommend the best product to clean the contacts?

http://www.tesco.com/groceries/Product/Details/?id=260584123

 

[BigH]

Try this: http://www.maplin.co.uk/contact-cleaner-25340

 

[drummerman]

What is the size of that Maplin Contact cleaner? I can't see no info.

regards

 

[drummerman]

Ah, zoomed in.

It's 200ml. - Expensive as Maplin usuallly is unfortunately.

regards

 

[BigH]

Depends how much you need I would have thought 200ml would last most people years.

 

[cannibal_ox77]

Cheers for those links, I'll try maplins

 

[BigH]

You should read this: http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/vibration.htm

some good tips that don't cost the earth, better than black pasta, lol.

 

[matt49]

You should read this: http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/vibration.htm

some good tips that don't cost the earth, better than black pasta, lol.

Excuse my ignorance, but what's an 'Easter egg holder'?

 

[BigH]

You should read this: http://www.barrydiamentaudio.com/vibration.htm

some good tips that don't cost the earth, better than black pasta, lol.

Excuse my ignorance, but what's an 'Easter egg holder'?

A good question, I think something like this: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/easy-washi-tape-easter-egg-holders.html

I think in the UK you can use furniture castor cups: http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/140740861165?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=63&ff19=0

 

[matt49]

A good question, I think something like this: http://howaboutorange.blogspot.co.uk/2013/03/easy-washi-tape-easter-egg-holders.html

I think in the UK you can use furniture castor cups: http://compare.ebay.co.uk/like/140740861165?var=lv&ltyp=AllFixedPriceItemTypes&var=sbar&_lwgsi=y&cbt=y&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=63&ff19=0

Thanks. That makes sense. I like the idea of marbles in furniture castor cups. Not sure how tidy it'll look though ...

 

[scene]

Isopropyl alcohol and a soft cloth, lint free, microfibre is good for cleaning cables. At a push, acetone (aka nail varnish remover) very cheap and effective on cables. Always leave the cables to dry thoroughly in a ventilated room.

 

[davedotco]

I have often found that breathing deeply around some of the solvents mentioned above can inprove the sound of youe system quite significantly.

It wll definitely sound better and that is without even turning it on...... :doh:

 

[scene]

I have often found that breathing deeply around some of the solvents mentioned above can inprove the sound of youe system quite significantly.

It wll definitely sound better and that is without even turning it on...... :doh:

Me too, but I find that after you wake up, the drool stain on the carpet can take a while to clean up... utcold:

 

[davedotco]

I have often found that breathing deeply around some of the solvents mentioned above can inprove the sound of youe system quite significantly.

It wll definitely sound better and that is without even turning it on...... :doh:

Me too, but I find that after you wake up, the drool stain on the carpet can take a while to clean up... utcold:

Wooden floors so no problem.....

This is however a serious subject (probably for another thread), your mood and possible 'altered mental state' makes a huge difference to how good your hifi sounds.