Vandersteen 2C contour controls +-


So I have recently changed cables between my pre amp (ARC SP4) and amp (ARC VT60) and it made a significant difference: more detail and a better centered soundstage. But I lost quite a bit of punch in the low end. I like the effect of the new cables enough to keep them in.

If I want to use the Vandersteen contour controls to get some of the low end back do I dial it down... or up?

I’m assuming turning the bass contour down will lower the crossover point, effectively getting more from the low end.

Is this correct?



128x128oharchie
I spent an evening moving and listening with the new cables... only to return to the exact placement where they were before. 6 months ago when I purchased the speakers I labored over placement and apparently I found the right spot for them back then.

26" off the front wall and 31" off the side. Exactly 9 feet to the listening spot on both. For the record, this is exactly where the Vandersteen manual "odd dimensions" placement would put them in my room. Length of the room, width of the room divided by 3,5,7,or 9. I tried them all and then some.

No toe-in, no angle back (I have the 6" stands so the tweeter is at ear level when seated.) Speakers are level and square. I tried them toed and angled but it was not as good. Behind the speakers are built-in bookshelves and record storage, full of books and records side to side, no gaps.

The 12.5" from the wall didn’t work well for me. But I have 16 feet in front of them to fill with sound. I could see how that could work in a shallower room.

I think letting the dielectric settle with the new cables is the right advice for now. I’ll post back in a week or so once I stop changing cables and just let it ride for a while. It sounds really good, but I realize I’ve been chasing an unknown spectre!

Thanks everyone for the interest and help.
Looking back at your original post, perhaps the new interconnects between the amp and pre might be holding back on the lower frequencies?
I agree, let the dielectrics run in for a while. Sometimes, they just open up like a flower.
B

Good plan to let the cables burn in. Amazing how different your system can sound after 400 hours or so. Glad to hear it sounds really good now, and the best is yet to come!
@mr_m, the room treatments made all the difference in where the speakers could go. My problem was not enough bass (and I'm not a bass freak), so getting close to the front wall yielded better, smoother, more even response at the listening seat without any "one-note bass issues". Because of the treatments, the soundstage actually increased in all 3 dimensions. I've heard, and now am a believer, that the room will dictate 50% of what you're going to hear.

Tom
Funny thing - I had never considered inside space to be important but I removed two very full LP crates from between the speakers and the amps (amps are positioned in center between the speakers) and that opened up some more bass. So the speakers need a little breathing room on both sides, not just between the wall and speaker.

I'll be keeping the new cables in place between the pre and amp. =)

On side note: The single most effective jump in sound quality I've observed - once I assembled my current set of components - was power purification and AC cables. I can't explain in words how huge of an effect that made (noted: I have an old house with dated wiring). AC upgrades should not be shrugged! If I hadn't made those upgrades I don't think I would be hearing such large differences in interconnect cables.

Thanks all!