new setup, new monitor sound

[FZfile]

O.K. so over the holidays I got some new furniture (namely a corner type computer desk) and have comletely re-vamped my room.
My rig is now based in the corner which was built two variable slat absorbers and a to-be-hung overhead variable bass trap.
This setup gives me MUCH more room and organization.....and comfort.

I picked the desk because the bookshelve sides are like 22" wide and I was able to fit my few peices of rack gear into the space.

......although, stupidly, I did not fully consider the depth of my newest rack unit that I left unopened in the box untill my remodelling was done, and the rack unit cannot push fully back into the shelf.

Live and learn.

So the other thing is that my monitors now fit on the second shelf
at just the right height.

BUT......... now that my monitors are "boxed in" the second shelf........they have a slightly boxier sound.

Keep in mind that my humble setup only includes the little Fostex powered monitors with sub.

The thing is.........is that the detail that I can hear in the midrange is incredible (compared to my setup before).....it sounds like completely different speakers and I can pick out details in my reference cd's that I didn't know were there before.

I like the detail but the sound is still boxy overall.

Any suggestions on how to open the sound without losing the detail????

I know, Iknow......get real monitors.........but until then.....

-mike

 

[Light]

This would not be my preference, particularly if I was already familiar with the sound of my monitors. Near field monitors are not really designed for being put on a shelf. But that is just my opinion.

Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Cave Dweller]

what is the desk made of? most of the time manufactured desks use 1/4 inch press board material as backing. you could cut this wood out from behind the speakers to let them breathe a bit more. maybe some foam would help, you could line the inside of the shelf. that might cut reflections down.

 

[FZfile]

I was cosidering that........

lining the inside, that is.

I think the backing is actually 1/8".

Originally, when I new I was going to get the desk but before I actually had it I figured that I would build a pannel cut-out for the monitors to mount into........faux-soffit if you will........and put sound board and foam inside the "box".

I still may do that but I'm still working on the exact placement of them with regards to angle and how far out I need to get them to not reflect off the desktop.

Also the desk shelves are at 90 degrees which obviously is not the ideal monitor angle so in order for a front pannel to mount flush with the front of the shelf the whole thing would have to be a weird 3d angles recession.

Master wood craftsman I am not.

........although it would sure look cool.

So.......maybe I should just line the sides and top and then cut out the back, as you said Cave Dweller.

Thanks for the input.

And Light, I agree that it is not the greatest thing to have to toatally learn the speakers over again..........but I just cant believe the little details I can hear that I couldn't before.

They are closer to me than I had had them by about 2 feet though.
I wonder if that is contributing?????????