Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon

Imagine listening to Charlie Parker at Birdland, then walk into Carnegie Hall and getting seated in the best seats in the house. This is possible when you add Atmosphere to your listening room. No other technology allows you to tailor the size and scale of your soundstage with stunning realism, to portray the music and venue you are experiencing accurately. The Synergistic Research FEQ Carbon is a third-generation, two-channel acoustic field generator.  New to the FEQ Carbon is a wholly redesigned PCB with dual RF generators. The first function of the redesign was to provide the ability to create different wave shapes, and the second was the addition of a 2nd, independently controlled ULF (Ultra Low Frequency)generator channel.

This is similar to what has been used in the SR Atmosphere Infinity but is the first FEQ to have this ability, which meant 100’s of hours in the listening room finding the perfect combination of options and settings.  Next was the new carbon fiber chassis.  Not only cosmetically beautiful, but the carbon fibre chassis also improves the broadcast of ULF frequencies through its conductive weave. As a result, layering, three-dimensionality, and holographic realism are much improved over all single frequency FEQ’s of the past decade. 

In some aspects, the FEQ Carbon even outperforms the much larger and more complex Synergistic Research Atmosphere Infinity as we have isolated two different frequency combinations that represent a near-perfect yin and yang with focus and clarity on acoustic recordings and a more holographic soundstage on recordings mastered to convey a large and enveloping sound field. 

Two frequency bias, one perfect sound. 

Blue Frequency: voiced for acoustic instruments, vocals, and smaller-scale performances. 

Red Frequency: convincingly portrays large-scale performances and electronic music. 

NOTE: In order to get the very best out of the FEQ Carbon it is worthwhile adding the ATM Carbon which sits on top of the FEQ Carbon. This will effectively ‘turbo charge’ the FEQ Carbon bringing about a more holographic sound stage and a more impactful bass.

Atmosphere and FEQ began when our lead designer Ted Denney contemplated why systems seem to sound better late at night and worse mid-day. As a pioneering designer of the first high-performance power cord, the original AC Master Coupler of 1994, and his later work in 2007 to develop the world’s first patented non-current limiting AC filter found in our PowerCell AC line conditioners, he knew there must be more to the mystery of what we hear late at night vs. mid-day than just the state of AC coming out of the wall. After all, if it were only AC than power conditioning and high-performance power cords would have solved this problem long ago.

So we began researching variables that could contribute to the mystery of midnight vs. mid-day system performance and came to the conclusion that man-made and solar RF must play a significant role. This led us to research of factors that contribute to fluctuations in the Earth’s ambient RF environment. Ted reasoned that if differences in RF can degrade the sound, then RF can be modeled and shaped to improve the sound.

”First and foremost, the FEQ Carbon device simply helped to more completely saturate the entire sound field and by enhancing the sensation of openness and dimensionality including width, height and depth. Additionally, my listening room took on the proverbial sensation of the walls simply falling away.

Beyond this - the sound simply poured forth more effortlessly and natural than before. Interestingly, in addition to the immediately noticeable enhanced organic texture to both voice and instruments, the bass became a bit more robust, not in a negative, forward-sounding way, but with enhanced impact and umph. Throughout the midrange - there was a greater sense of presence and with a wonderful sense of fullness.”

Bill Wells | Stero Times | Link to review

“I couldn't believe the enhancement in sound quality, that this small carbon-encased black tower was bringing to my enjoyment of music replayed through my system,

“Benefits which I perceived, were around soundstage (extended and more wrap-around), detail retrieval, bass palpability and solidity/impact. For me, there was a greater ease and flow in listening to music and I found it very intoxicating (no alcohol or hallucinogens consumed during the demonstration).

I tried removing it from the listening room, but something was then lacking, which returned the instant the FEQ Carbon was reintroduced! “

Steve • Hampshire