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Tidal Piano Cera speakers and Subwoofer?

After moving from the ACI Talisman SE to the Tidal Piano Cera, I love everything about the Tidals except the lack of the lowest octave. I miss the slam and low frequencies of the ACI's self powered woofers. I've read most of the threads here on subwoofer integration and know there isn't any formulaic, one size fits all answer to my question. If you look at my system pictures, you'll see I'm stuck with the less than ideal compromise of having my rack and television between my speakers. So, there's no room in the middle for a single subwoofer. A larger size single subwoofer would have to go to the right side of the right speaker, near the wall. I do have room for two smaller cubic subwoofers up to around 11" square behind both speakers.
I'm hoping some other Tidal owners might have some insight into my question as to whether one larger, very articulate subwoofer like a JL Audio F112 would be superior to a stereo pair of less capable, smaller subs. Perhaps something like the Sunfire HRS-10s. On the one hand, the transparency of the Tidals seems to point to a great match with something like the JL Audio. (I have read owners of the JL caution that the very articulate nature of that sub makes it very difficult to integrate successfully when installed to the side of the speakers as I would need to.)
Thanks in advance for any insight or advice.
photon46

Showing 4 responses by photon46

photon46 OP
1,076 posts
 
Rower30's current thread "High Quality Subwoofers - which one" has a lot of helpful information about a number of the subs I'm considering. In the past, I have integrated a sub successfully with Magnepan 1.6's in the same room and location I'm considering now. I was aware of the soon to be released Piano X-tender but I'm assuming that it will be as pricey as the rest of their products. Frankly, I doubt my budget will stretch that far after buying the Pianos :-(
photon46 OP
1,076 posts
 
Yes, my set has three vario-gain adjustments for bass and I'm using the setting that has the most bass enhancement. As I was listening last night, I thought the bass of the Pianos is so "almost right." If the F3 point were only something like 28hz. instead of 32hz., I doubt I'd ever quibble over this.
photon46 OP
1,076 posts
 
Well Argyro & Bvdiman, there's definitely substance in your advice to look for a higher powered amp to help satisfy my yen for more bass. I installed an old back up amp, a 150 watt PS Audio HCA-2 that was modified by Reference Audio Mods. While it's a poor sonic comparison the Aloia from the mid-bass up, the higher powered amp grips the woofers with more control. With more power, I can still tell that frequencies in the twenties aren't being reproduced, but the bass from 32 hz. on up is firmer, more tactile, and has somewhat greater slam. Hearing this has slowed down my urge to complicate my system with the addition of a subwoofer. Next, how to resolve the question of which amplification best resolves the competing interests of audio excellence and the bank account.
photon46 OP
1,076 posts
 
Thanks for your insights Bvdiman. I have definitely been considering the factors you mention. The power rating on the Aloia amp is rather deceiving and strangely stated. What the designer intends to state is that it will never deliver less than 30 watts into any load, but a load such as the Tidal Piano present results in something around 75-80 watts. Not quite in the range you mention, but closer. To be honest, I've just been so enamored of the sound the Aloia combo makes, I'm loath to change unless I have to. Perhaps I'll keep an eye out for the more powerful Aloia brother of my current amp, it has double the power of my current one. You are quite correct about the Tidals being so transparent to all downstream, it amazes me how the most picayune change in cabling or source is readily heard. They are also quite sensitive to where they are sited in the room. By moving them a couple inches closer to the wall (they are at 22" now,) I was able to get lower bass out of them. When a well recorded track with proper tonal balance is playing, the Piano's bass doesn't really sound lacking now. It's only on mixes that sound bright or lacking in bass that I notice the lack. Unfortunately, as we know, a great deal of good music isn't reference level recording quality.
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