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Speakers for aging audiophiles - What's with today bass emphasis ?

I'd love to pick your brains on a issue and possibly a suggestion
My system has 2 sources, a Logitech transporter and Thorens 126 MKIII / SME / Supex.  Ampli recently changed to a Musical Fidelity M6si. My listening is 80% streaming and 20% vinyl. It's mostly classic and prog rock but also acoustic jazz and classic chamber music.
I have an issue with my current speakers setup: Dynaudio BM6 passive.
I have been using those for some months now and find that while they are satisfying in terms of scene, detail, resolution they are exceedingly strong in the bass (say 50 to 200 Hz) and not adequately balanced in the middle / treble, say from 1k Hz up. It seems as though the bass player stand in front with a big amplifier and everyone else is back in the stage.
I have changed the amplifier to the Musical Fidelity but while I am happy with that I did not see much change in respect to the issue I am describing.

I relate this issue to 2 causes:

1. Today's recordings emphasizes the bass unrealistically. Let me just give you an example. I recently bought Steve Wilson remix of Marillion "Misplaced Childhood". Great work. The mix is shining but compared to the old vinyl I have got you get this feeling of too much bass. Bass quality is great, well defined, solid, no complain but just too much of a good thing.

2. I am ageing, over 60 now. It is well know that as you age your sensitivity to the high frequencies falls down

Given those factors I'd like to change speakers to get something that:
- Is very open on the highs
- It's very analytical
- Does not over emphasize basses
- Bookshelf
- Ballpark cost 2 - 2.5 K

Can anyone make suggestions ? I was inclined to the Harbeths M30 but read several blogs where they say they do emphasize the bass. Maybe Dynaudio Special or Focus  ? How about Totem Sky ?

I don't mind spending a few more bucks to get what I want / need.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Mark.
marklings

Showing 3 responses by mcreyn

mcreyn
293 posts
 
I will chime in on the side of looking at your room first. It is worth the investment of $100 to purchase a calibrated mic and download rew to see what peaks and nulls you have in your room. Changes in setup (often minor) and room treatments to address these can make a huge difference in perceived bass. Best of all treating the room is not expensive and helps any speakers used.

You could also try an eq, the Schiit Loki is $150 and well designed to not degrade sound.

Finally, if you are intent on replacing your speakers, you should probably add Totem to your list.  
mcreyn
293 posts
 
A well designed ported speaker sounds every bit as “tight” as a sealed speaker. It is a function of qtc and group delay. It is not a matter of sealed v ported, but how the designer has tuned it.

You really need to look at your room. Without running REW or the equivalent, you will never see the likely 30db varience you have in bass levels at your listening position. Small changes in speaker and listening position can make major changes in these peaks and nulls. You also need to measure your decay time. If your decay time is long, it will only further emphasize standing waves and bass bloat.  Treating the room (look at GIK acoustics which are inexpensive and will make recomendations if you send them your room information) will run under $1000 and do far more to address what you are experiencing than chasing different speakers.

Digital correction can also be used (i.e. Mini DSP), but I would always start with placement and room treatment becore applying DSP.
mcreyn
293 posts
 
“Sadly, I can’t say I’m surprised by all the suggestions to simply throw money at the problem with another large, ported bookshelf speaker. For crying out loud, the guy has his speakers within 10" (that’s inches btw) of the wall!“

I agree and suggested a week ago eq, digital correction, and/or room treatment, as have several others. The OP is unwilling to work with the obvious choices of moving the speakers out (which can be easily done for listening and moved back when done given their size) or otherwise maximizing what he has. Unless he purchases speakers specifically designed to be put against the wall, or close to it (Vortex Acoustics, some totems, nearfield studio monitors, custom) changing speakers will not fix the problem.


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