Modular Acoustat frame building advice?

[hella356]

After doing a rudimentary 4+1 setup (standing a 1+1 next to an X model and running them with Acoustat servo amps) I've found the "head in a vice" aspect of my 2+2 was all but eliminated by the wider array with little detriment to imaging, and has yielded a fuller, more encompassing (even if slightly less precise) sound stage. It has gotten me much closer to the wondrous sound I used to get from my old four-panel-wide Monitor 4 speakers.

I really like the fact that the tall Acoustats sound good whether I'm standing or laying on the ground or anywhere in between; since the room doubles as an exercise room, this is vitally important to me. I will be having a hip replacement soon. I'll be on the floor stretching & doing yoga, doing standing exercises, & riding a tallish (and fortunately very quiet) stationary bike. So I'm trying to find the best solution to having the benefits of the wider array while retaining good sound at any height.

This seems to leave me with three configurations as candidates: 3+1, 3+2, or 4+1. The five panels of the 3+2 and 4+1 configs may be pushing the limits of what the servo amps can handle, although the quick test I did with the 4+1 seems no grainier than the four panels of my 2+2 setup so I'm hopeful 5 panels will be OK. If not, I'm pretty confident the 3+1 config will get me close enough for now. Ultimately, I like the idea of going to a 3+3, 4+2, or 4+4 setup but these would really need a pair of servo amps per side; thus, these will have to wait.

The X model has 3 panels in a "curved" and tilted array. The panels are mounted to a compact frame which is then mounted inside the X stand. For ease of setup I will most likely keep the X 3-panel frame pods intact, and build a new stand in which to mount them. The new frame would keep them at floor level and vertical rather than tilted. The big challenge will be to make the frame so it allows for easy experimentation of panel configs. I'd like to be able to easily add another panel to the side of the X pod, and one or two to the top.

Any suggestions for materials and/or techniques to use would be ultra appreciated!

Thanks,

Mike

[mavric]

Mike, i am sorry that you had an injury, i would go flush cieling mount speaker untill you can get on your feet again.
without pics, it is hard to give advice on what you have and how placement would be.
If you can post some pics, im sure you will recieve alot more info for your project. Mavric.

[hella356]

Thanks, mavric. I'm also playing around with room treatments and overhead stabilization of the full-height speakers. Here are some pics:

[hella356]

What I'm interested in trying to do is to maintain the 3 panel wide configuration and add either one or two panels above it, with the option of expanding the 3-wide to a 4-wide as well.

[mavric]

i am no expert on this in anyway, i do however understand diffusion charaterics, i would try a baffle board if you will to reflect your imaging to where you need, these are very dirrectional, something in my mind is some 1/4" sheetrock panels to reflect the sound to your spot. if that makes any sence, you will focus by degrees of the outside panels and point them at you. very inexpensive. and you can allways you the material for something else after you get on your feet again.
nice pics.
As another thing, what would happen if you got them off the floor? I am going to use a lazy susan to spin the stat to the sweet spot. a computer platform will allow you to go 3d , left,right, up, down. cheap and easy to find.
those are so large, so just look around and tell me what you think. instead of moving something so heavy, easier to move it on ball bearings to pivot, move it anyway you want, just like a computer screen. hope this makes sence.