2. cables
  3. 133032-95382

Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?

I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following:  I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable).  Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear.  I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference.  On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system.  Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff.  Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s?  Thanks for your patience.
compass_rose

Showing 3 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,651 posts
 
Compass, you actually hit on something. I was going to mention it but thought it was not worthwhile.

The reviews I read say they have a minimum impedance of around 3.9 ohms in the bass. That should be fine, but if your amp was weak for some reason then a softening in the bass is what you would get.  This can make a speaker seem more "discerning" - I call it more demanding.

I would say changing amps is a better idea than cables.

Best,

E
erik_squires
15,651 posts
 
Hi Willie,

I don't think the specification is the whole story. 38 Hz is fine for a -3dB point but it is the rest of the frequency response that determines the balance.

WIlson's, Focal's and others have a bass bump (which is quite musical) in the bass, and everything else is below that. These B&Ws are curious in that the mid and treble are above the bass, making these speakers curiously lean, unless they are going to be used with a sub. These choices may have been done to improve the sensitivity.

Take a look at the first chart here:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bw-cm-series-surround-speaker-system-measurements

Placement matters, of course, so close to a wall these speakers may greatly improve. Definitely not speakers to leave far from the walls.

Best,

Erik
erik_squires
15,651 posts
 
Going by review data, the issue is really the speaker tuning. The CM4 measurements are almost tilted upwards. You could support it with a sub, move the speakers closer to the rear wall, or add some EQ.

The speakers seem, by measurement, to be more tuned for movies than music, which in an attempt to be more transparent, sacrifice a lot of bass.

Best,

E


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