An opulent listening room for a client with discerning musical taste
This small room (3.3m x 3.4m), in a traditional Neo-Georgian house, was undergoing refurbishment as part of an ongoing renovation project. The timber floors were to remain exposed following the renovation, which posed some acoustical issues, but we were confident in our ability to overcome them, and we set to work on a full design.
The client owned several types of media that would need to be accommodated within our design for the listening room, such as a treasured vinyl collection and an extensive CD collection. Two-channel audio seems to have had somewhat of a resurgence and we have seen an increase in the demand for turntables (record players). The client already used a Naim Uniti Serve and Naim Uniti 2, which formed part of a house-wide Naim multi-room audio system, the Naim server having an extensive ‘bit for bit’ CD collection that would form the backbone of the new system. The client preferred this to stay in use. Spotify and Apple Music would also be required, as well as internet radio.
This small room (3.3m x 3.4m), in a traditional Neo-Georgian house, was undergoing refurbishment as part of an ongoing renovation project. The timber floors were to remain exposed following the renovation, which posed some acoustical issues, but we were confident in our ability to overcome them, and we set to work on a full design.
The client owned several types of media that would need to be accommodated within our design for the listening room, such as a treasured vinyl collection and an extensive CD collection. Two-channel audio seems to have had somewhat of a resurgence and we have seen an increase in the demand for turntables (record players). The client already used a Naim Uniti Serve and Naim Uniti 2, which formed part of a house-wide Naim multi-room audio system, the Naim server having an extensive ‘bit for bit’ CD collection that would form the backbone of the new system. The client preferred this to stay in use. Spotify and Apple Music would also be required, as well as internet radio.
Having completed an acoustical appraisal, we knew what hardware solutions were needed to overcome some of the room’s challenges.
Over the years we have listened to countless demos and installed many different speaker brands. We always make selections for our projects very carefully, based on what we expect for the technical performance of the system. For this listening room project, we opted to use the awesome Perlisten S4b, complemented with two Perlsiten D12 subwoofers. These are amazing speakers and, to be honest, probably the best pair of bookshelf loudspeakers we have ever installed.
These true THX Dominus Certified speakers and subwoofers give the room the dynamics, clarity, and tonal balance that our client sought. The subwoofers added gut-wrenching bass, that can’t easily be described in words. Undoubtedly these are some of the best subwoofers we have ever installed…. they are breathtaking.
All this power needs taming and what better way to do this than with a NAD M66 and its fabulous room correction/calibration algorithm by DIRAC Live Processor?
The Linn LP12, widely considered iconic system hardware, would handle the vinyl collection.
From a technical perspective, the characteristics of the listening room posed the most challenges, with an initial measured RdT60 time of 0.87sec (across six octaves). Once the carpet and underlay had been removed during renovation, it was clear that we’d need something special to address these issues.
Acoustic treatment for a listening room doesn’t always have to come in the guise of panels hung on the wall (although we did have one). Addressing this in other ways can yield excellent results. We asked the interior designer to provide curtains and a pelmet in a thick rich fabric (both lined and interlined). Together with strategically placed rugs and acoustic panels, this allowed us (with the help of the NAD M66 DIRAC room correction algorithm) to bring that number down to a more acceptable 0.48sec and, once the chairs, footstalls and people were in the listening room, we achieved a measured 0.37sec over six octaves.
These are legendary turntables, with almost iconic status amongst audiophiles. We felt that pairing this with the NAD Master M66 would deliver outstanding results as the M66 has one of the most exciting features concerning analogue pass-thru.
A bookshelf with this much technology is hard to find and can be the Ninja of any system – bookshelf, main for a 2.1 system, LCR, Dominus Surround, it can transform into anything you need. Features include proprietary DPC-Array controlling Mid/High frequencies and cantered by their finest 28mm Beryllium dome and dual 28mm TPCD ultra-lightweight domes. All transducers are developed from the ground up by their engineers, bringing decades of research and culminating in this world-class design. All S-Series speakers share the same DPC-Array and benefit from their unique timbre matching technique across the entire series utilising Beryllium and their advanced carbon fibre.
These speakers are an acoustic suspension to meet the demands of any listening room, with unparalleled dynamic range and musical finesse. They are extremely impressive, alone or combined with 2 PERLISTEN D12 subwoofers.
They are great for use in 2.1 systems, or any channel of theatre system utilising subwoofers, and can be used as surround, height or LCR. In terms of placement, they can be a bookshelf, placed on a stand, or on-wall mounted with a keyhole or available bracket. This new tweeter/waveguide DPC-Array delivers amazing accuracy, smoothness, and directivity control to handle the critical vocal range and delicate treble.
The S4b shares the same DPC-Array and benefits from their unique timbre matching technique as found in the entire S-Series range of speakers. They provide unparalleled dynamic range, low distortion, and musical finesse. The PERLISTEN S4b continues the line-up of speakers that have the distinguished honour of being the world’s first and only loudspeakers to be certified for THX Dominus – their highest rating.
The model D12 Subwoofer; a small footprint and big sound. Benefiting from many of the technologies of their flagship subs, these sealed subs generate amazing performance in the smallest footprint. Low Q, shallow roll-off response geared for sound quality and smoothly integrating into the listening room. Also, these are an excellent choice when using multiple subs to optimize in-room response and smooth out seat-to-seat variation.
The D12 is the smallest subwoofer in the series, yet packs enough punch to be certified THX Dominus. Powered by our 1.5kW amplifier, all functions and safeties are controlled by a 48-bit data bath DSP and 32-bit ARM M4 Cortex processor, able to react in microseconds, powerful enough to slam. Ground-up drivers have been developed by the Perlisten team of engineers. Carbon fibre composite diaphragms, multiple aluminium shorting rings, massive magnets, multi-layer Nomex spiders and lightweight aluminium voice coil wire are the key ingredients – proprietary nonlinear modelling techniques allow us to simulate all these components and then optimise for real-world driver performance – free-air and in-box.
Further refinement is done with the aid of Klippel laser measurements to dial things in. All D-Series subs share the 2.4” LCD touchscreen display and the ability to control advanced settings using their App.
We used two in this listening room project.
