Time alignment and imaging

[PROJECT 2501]

I'm far from an expert on phase alignment, and even less so on classic Klipsch speakers. So less of an opinion than random thoughts.

I don't know that the Heresy isn't already time aligned. I would think with the horn tweeter, the voice coils are already closer to a similar plane than a conventional dynamic speaker. It's possible that it could be tweaked to improve the phase, but I would think you're kind of shooting in the dark without some way to measure the phase of the two drivers in real time and adjust accordingly. Even then, you could get them in phase, but out of time. In other words, the wave forms could line up, but be a cycle, or many cycles off from one another.

I'd never discourage anyone from experimenting. A number of years ago I got kind of obsessed with creating a DIY version of a Polk SDA. I never built a full set of speakers based on what I learned, but I did a lot of experimenting with four midrange drivers. I learned a lot, and did recreate the SDA effect. It was kind of cool. So you might want to play with it. But my guess is, you'll end up scratching your head a lot trying to decide "does that sound better?"

You honestly have vocalized and confirmed a lot of things that I have speculated. I was hoping that DIY speaker modification could be done by novices without needing esoteric equipment and an advanced understanding of audio design.
But maybe I'm asking the wrong questions too..
Maybe i should be asking if there are known tweaks and mods that provide a discernible improvement while being in the realm of something a novice could do..

But thanks for your insight.. it was what I was looking for.

 

[Audiofreak71]

All I can tell you is of all the speakers I have owned and I have owned many my Vandersteen 2ce signature ii’s have continued to keep me entertained the most , improving with each piece of gear going up the chain. So for me time alignment and phase coherency is a very good thing . Glad you’ve experienced it and are having fun.

Audiofreak71

 

[PROJECT 2501]

Spend a couple days exploring this site. https://www.linkwitzlab.com/

When it comes to getting stereo speakers to reveal the magic of the intent sound engineers have in their two channel recordings, I have found to do whatever Siegfried (RIP) says.

There are three related but separate discussions on this subject. One, getting the most out of an existing set of speakers in an existing room. Two, creating a set of speakers that get the most out of an existing room. Three, developing a set of speakers and developing a listening environment that gets the most out of a recorded source.

Solutions are quite different and can be in conflict with each other for each of these discussions.

Time alignment of different frequencies is certainly a major variable on each of these discussions but it is not as simple as driver placement in a cabinet. 90% of this effect is in control (or out of control) of the sound and recording engineer.

Although much of this is physics, of special note are Linkwitz’s observations on the major effects our ears and mind have on spacial recognition of sound.

Thank you, I'll definitely dive into it. I just hope it doesnt go above my head. I'm still very much in need of layman's terms in a lot of areas of speaker design

 

[santa]

Once I played with this a bit by taking the tweeter out of a small two way speaker, extending the leads and blocking off the opening left after tweeter removal
I made a sled to hold the tweeter and had a friend move it from forward to back while listening to pink noise
You could readily hear the difference in sound as the tweeter was moved forward and rearward
I had no measurement tools at the time so none were taken

I think op is on the right track here
Learn to listen and then trust your ears.

 

[Fast.Eddie]

Oh, back to your original post, if you want to experiment with things that improve imaging, you might take a look at a Carver C9 Sonic Hologram Generator. I have one and really enjoy playing with it. On a lot of music, it really does improve things. On other tracks, it sounds kind of gimmicky

 

[toddalin]

Once I played with this a bit by taking the tweeter out of a small two way speaker, extending the leads and blocking off the opening left after tweeter removal
I made a sled to hold the tweeter and had a friend move it from forward to back while listening to pink noise
You could readily hear the difference in sound as the tweeter was moved forward and rearward
I had no measurement tools at the time so none were taken

I think op is on the right track here
Learn to listen and then trust your ears.

I do this with my mids and Heils on the Ethyl Mermans except that I use a 61-band RTA. The visual is extremely revealing as to exact placement and "seeing is believing." Seems more critical for the transition from the 10" to the Heil than from the 18" to the 10".

BTW, the Ethyl Mermans image rings around the L200/300s.