My last visit to this audio system/ setup was in 2019. Fast forward to 2026, the owner, Dr.Khairul (Doc) invited me for the second visit,…with good reason.
He shared to me that he has done some serious changes to his dedicated audio room.
He explained to me that during the Movement Control Order (MCO – a series of strict national lockdown and quarantine measures implemented by the Malaysian Federal Government to curb the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic) and with some times on his hand, he decided to study ‘Acoustic‘ (the science of sound and its interactions with the physical world and the understanding of waves, frequencies, and materials thereof).
He engaged a specialised carperter to build for him, the 3D diffusers based on his calculated configurations and designs (the Doc has some unorthodox ideas that even the specialised carperter questioned).
He even specified the types of wood to be used.
He told me that he had travelled far and wide to seek out the particular species of woods for the abovementioned works,…reason being that different species of wood resonated at different bandwidth of frequencies,…
therefore different Wood, different ‘Sound Quality/ Coloration‘.
I told the Doc that I dare not pretend to understand the science and theory behind his decision and acoustical design for his audio room. However, being in the audio room, I noticed how easy it was to converse and listen to the conversation with another. Then I realised and appreciated the quietness in the audio room, and the Doc’s efforts (acoustic knowledge and treatments) poured into the audio room,…I said to him,
“Doc, I think your Acoustic knowledge is sound and the treatments invested in really work“.
The Doc started the listening session with a simple mono track of a solo violinist. Immediately, I noticed the ‘Naturalness‘ of the stringeth instrument, its Dimension and the Humanistic play/ the Emotional performance of the violinist,…
almost to a degree of ‘Unplugged-ness‘.
Then he proceeded to spin a record that I was familiar with and recently used in my review. I found myself captivated again by the Naturalness in the Vocalisation of the vocalist, and the relatable Humanistic Element in her performance,…
It was Surreal and Intimate!
Next, he played a record of a ‘LIVE RECORDING‘ of the Jazz Performance in an Enclosed venue. His other intention to the obvious, was to have his audio system present the Atmosphere and the Soundscape of that venue. I was surprised that his audio system has more than enough power to present
a ‘Believable Atmosphere‘ and an ‘All-Around Soundscape‘ that was beyond the rated power of those Engstrom & Engstrom tube mono amplifiers (27 watts per channel).
The Doc saw my expression, and explained that he has changed the tubes on them. Thus, that has increased the ‘power output to almost double‘ at his tube mono amplifiers.
Finally, he played a classical/ orchestra track to present the audio system’s presentation of the Soundstaging. Although the audio room was not in the Size and/ or in the Scale comparable to a philharmonic hall (any?), but the audio system’s ‘See Through Transparency‘ to the Soundstaging (of the groups of musicians, placements, seatings and instruments), the Dimensions and the Atmosphere of the recording venue,
already completed the ‘Illusion of Being There‘!
The Doc emphasised the importance of his audio system and setup to be able to transport him mentally (Make-believe), to the Time and Place (venue) of the Music Recording,…
I think He Got what He Ordered,…BRAVO!
The following observations were of Mr.Robin Chung:-
I concur 🫡 with DD’s Review & fulsome praise – of Dr K’s system m. For me it’s was most notable :
1) he had managed to mostly ameliorate the double whammy of àn almost Square room & the horrific standing waves (40-48 Hz) that could have resulted from the 14’-12’ W X L.
2) he had spent years reading up on room psycho acoustics (shades of Dr Amar Bose MIT?🤔) & designed the 3-D diffusers mentioned by DD.
3) impressive collection of tone woods, mostly rosewoods (Dalbergia SPP) on front wall
3) His humongous speakers (gentle/musical GIANTS, I called them, at 340kg EACH)
Carry on, Doc 🫡👍🤝👊👌👂
The following reply from the Doc:-
Hi Robin,
Interesting that you brought up Dr Amar Bose of MIT.
I resonate with him where he says reflections dictate emotional space. But I went at a tangent to him when I calculated dispersion angles of the horns, off centred asymmetry of the calculated side panels.
We used the phase coherence of the phono curves and microdynamics of the 300bxls to help achieve emotion and as accurate as possible to Neumann and Wes Trac cutting lathe.
I’m in agreement with Everett and Polhmann regarding bass control but we have used small active absorption rather than bulky large traps.
I agree with heavy calculated panels for diffusion but did not agree with the symmetry to add on the psychoacoustic deconstructive flair.
We had targeted elasticity in mind as compared to boundary damping (couldn’t afford to do this and was not in line with our goals).
So we have this “hybrid living” concept.
Could go on for hours but im not going to bore everyone…😊