Looking for more bass

jabrax

My Issue - Not enough base in 2 channel. However, the midrange and highs are excellent, just need to fill out the body of the music.

I don't like window or wall rattling bass when listening to music, but being a lover of live music, i enjoy the fullness that bass instruments add. I currenlty have a sub hooked up and could probably spend many hours trying to dial it in, but I have the sub tuned to hit hard in HT (not a good setup for music).

I'm on a mission to find out what is the biggest culprit for my lack of bass in 2channel, source, speakers, or cables. My equipment is listed in the signature. Here are the test I want to try.

1. (Done) Preamp DAC -vs- Marantz DAC source direct. I completed this test, and will say I was a bit surprised that is was a little closer than I expected at first listen. After listening for extended periods, the sound stage and depth was much larger, and the clarity in the mids and highs was better from the Marantz . I ran this test with the sub turned off for the pre setting. I eventually turned the sub on for the Pre and played with the volume and crossover. Added body, but still a bit too much thump in the bass at times and the clarity advantages of the Marantz were still there. The bass could probably be adjusted, but not worth the back and forth tuning with Ht. I'm a lazy MFer when it comes to this. I still refuse to give up on cd changers
Conclusion - Pre was a little fuller, but not enough to offset the slight clarity and separtion advantage of the Marantz)

2. IC's - Currently running all silver interconnects. I'll try swapping out with some older ones laying around - or buy new ones. I read in a few places that silver inconnects "tend" to be better on highs (internet reading needs to be taken with a grain of salt, gotta find out.)

3. Source - I am kicking around the idea of adding a DAC (music hall 25.2). I like the clarity of the marantz, music just seems thin. This will enable me to keep the changer and possibly upgrade the sound from the source and open options for digital music later.

4. Speaker Cables - I don't expect to see a huge difference here, but you never know until you try it. The only thing I have to compare with the AQ is standard 12 awg copper speaker cables.

5. Speakers - Taylos have dual 7 inch drivers, I thought that would fill out the bass I felt I wasnt getting from the lsi9's. I was originally looking at floorstanders with sub drivers to avoid having to setup an independent sub. I ended up get the Taylos, and the clarity is off the hook

I will update as I go along to share what I find. You wont get a bunch of audio techy talk, but hopefully clear enough

Does anyone have recommendations, equipment or setting you think might help my bass issue? I'm open to try just about anything.

Jeff

ph0rk

Just a guess here -

If these are the seas drivers: http://www.seas.n0/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=92

It looks to me that they begin to naturally rolloff at 100hz, according to seas you can get 40hz response out of them with the right cabinet - you're probably missing the bottom octave.

NJPOLKER

The room layout, speaker placement, walls, floors, ceilings furniture all will come into play. Your power supply/amp will also influence bass response or lack of it.

Knucklehead

possibly another sub?

dudeinaroom

when listening to music do you have the mains set to large or small. If you have them set to small for HT, you might want to try to run them as large for 2 ch, also give them a try as large (if you have them set to small)for HT, you might like it

jabrax

dudeinaroom wrote: »

when listening to music do you have the mains set to large or small. If you have them set to small for HT, you might want to try to run them as large for 2 ch, also give them a try as large (if you have them set to small)for HT, you might like it

Thx Dude,

Yes I play them set to large in 2 ch

jabrax

ph0rk wrote: »

Just a guess here -

If these are the seas drivers: http://www.seas.n0/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=92

It looks to me that they begin to naturally rolloff at 100hz, according to seas you can get 40hz response out of them with the right cabinet - you're probably missing the bottom octave.

I couldn't get the link to work, but you have set me off to do some reading on the drivers.

thx

Face

How large is the room, where are the placed?

I believe ph0rk tried to link you to these: http://www.madisound.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=782

Systems

ph0rk wrote: »

If these are the seas drivers: http://www.seas.n0/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=68&Itemid=92

It looks to me that they begin to naturally rolloff at 100hz, according to seas you can get 40hz response out of them with the right cabinet - you're probably missing the bottom octave.

SEAS used a small sealed box (12liter)in that measurement.Does the Tyler have a sealed or vented box?A vented box will buy you more extension but deep powerful bass is not the forte of a 7" woofer.

jabrax

GV#27 wrote: »

SEAS used a small sealed box (12liter)in that measurement.Does the Tyler have a sealed or vented box?A vented box will buy you more extension but deep powerful bass is not the forte of a 7" woofer.

front port, last pic in this thread.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=82448

Face

Doesn't Tyler take trade ins? Time to move up.

Ern Dog

The biggest improvement I got from adding a Modwright tube Preamp was that it significantly added more "weight" and body to the music so that it sounded very full. Before that my rig sounded thin and too lean.

jabrax

Ern Dog wrote: »

The biggest improvement I got from adding a Modwright tube Preamp was that it significantly added more "weight" and body to the music so that it sounded very full. Before that my rig sounded thin and too lean.

Dog, are you using the DAC in the Modwright, or bypass with the Bada? Do you use your sub in 2 channel?

Ern Dog

jabrax wrote: »

Dog, are you using the DAC in the Modwright, or bypass with the Bada? Do you use your sub in 2 channel?

There is no DAC in the Modwright as it is strictly a preamp, so I'm using the DAC in the Bada. My speakers are full range, but I do use the sub crossed over at 34 Hz! I mostly like listening to classical, jazz and rock. I really don't need the sub, but it adds a tad more extension and gives the music a more tactile experience, especially when listening to Powerful classical music works. I like to feel the house rumble when listening to pipe organs

Another idea is to get a Velodyne sms-1 bass managment system. This will make it very easy to dial in the sub as it takes all the guess work out of the way. The eq will smooth out the bass thumps you were talking about, giving you clean bass with a flat response.

bassfann

convert your couch into a sub,maybe 6 15's will help

jabrax

bassfann wrote: »

convert your couch into a sub,maybe 6 15's will help

hmmmmmm, r u sure? lol


Going to play with inconnects tonight (test 2) tonight.

I'm kicking around the idea of dropping the LFE and running the speakers and sub through "Line", and trying to blend the sub in so I can continue to use the source dac. 2 big issues:

1. Placement - currently I have the sub in a closet next just to the right and behind the entertainment center. I really don't care about base clarity for HT. Shakes the whole friggen house with that bigass closet-bass cabinet lol. Not good for music.

question?? - In two channel, does the sub have to be near the speakers?

2. Multiple subs - For good use of subs in two channel, to I have to have one for each speaker?

Jeff

amulford

I would take a close look at the silver ic's. It's been my experience they seem to lack in the lower end, but YMMV...

I would definately go for the stereo subs, but that's me.

Early B.

Those 7U's should provide killer bass in 2-channel mode without a sub. As mentioned, the first thing to check is placement and room issues. Don't buy anything. Your gear is fine.