Where's My Bass?


Actually, I don't like a lot of bass; I listen mostly to chamber music, acoustic jazz and folk. But my Audio Physic Tempo III's are putting out almost nothing. These speakers are by nature light on bass, but mine seem lighter than others I've heard. Otherwise the speakers sound absolutely marvellous, and I'm extremely reluctant to go to a sub (many frustrating past experiences)

I've tried various cd transports/players and a few cables. Should I move on to the preamp and amp? Is there anything in my current gear that jumps out as a potential weak link?

Thanks all.

Current set-up: Musical Hall MMF used as cd trans; MSB Link III DAC; Audio Research LS-7 pre; Pass Aleph amp; Harmonic Tech interconnects; Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cable.
eleonida

Showing 1 response by hshapiro

While your components may be contributing to a lack of bass, I agree that room placement and the room, itself, can have the greatest effect on bass response. I have heard your Audio Physic Tempo III's at my dealer, and while I agree they are not known to have nor were they designed to have great bass response, they certainly produce more than you are hearing. A lack of bass can often be the result of low-frequency cancellations due to speaker placement relative to your seating position. This is probably why you mentioned that in the next room over, the bass isn't bad. Where your seating position is may be where low-frequency cancellations are occurring. If the direct bass response wave is meeting the reflected bass response wave at the position where you are seated, the reflected bass response could be nulling the direct bass response. It's essential to try to have the reflected sound not interfere with the direct sound.

I have a cousin who bought Avalon Eidelon speakers which exhibited great bass extension in the dealer's showroom. I told him not to expect much in his home since his listening room was too small for this speaker. Luckily for him, he and his wife are soon moving into a larger home. Sure enough, in his 10' x 14' room, the Eidelons produced very little bass. We read the Audio Physics website and discovered that where he was sitting and the geometry of his listening setup was almost exactly where cancellations of low-frequency imformation were occurring. He also has a large picture window behind his head which accentuates the high frequencies and makes the tonal balance tilted up in the higher frequencies. I also recommend that you browse the Audio Physics website at www.immedia.com for speaker placement information.