B/W 702 s3

@speedysteve4 

It looks like mixed movie music use with an AVR. If the only change was the speaker, then maybe you did not re-run room correction for the new speaker.

Also what Carver/JBL speaker are you referencing?

I have a pair 702s3's that are being driven by a PrimaLuna EVO 300 Integrated. And they are in no way lacking in bass. The bass is large, deep and defined. In fact, it is one of the most impressive things about the speakers. Maybe it is because they are being tube driven. The definition and detail that the speakers deliver across the entire frequency spectrum is amazing. I will concede to the fact that they can be a bit on the bright side at times, depending on the recording. But B&Ws are known for that. However, they do not lack the ability to produce low end. In fact I have had people ask me where the subwoofer was hiding. Because the bass was so deep and rich. If you are looking for a boomy bass that splatters across the other frequencies. These are not for you. In my situation, to add a sub would do nothing but mess up a well tuned speaker. I think that your amplifier is the culprit. If I can get the kind of bass that I am getting out of a 48 watt/ch tube amp. There has to be a better match for those speakers. They are well designed speakers and in no way should they sound mediocre. I will admit that my system really begins to shine at a higher volume level. Around 70 dB. Although below that level it sounds great. But it really starts to show its stuff as you turn it up. But that may have as much to do with the tubes as the speakers.

flash56-I agree with your post.  I think the Rotel gear is the issue. It is ok, just not great.  Problem is that would be easier to change the speakers than the Rotel gear, but I am open to doing it.  

Someone here asked what my Carver JBL gear consist of; Carver TFM 35 X2, preamp with sonic hologram, JBL 4312' and JBL's 4309's, Carver tube CD player and Wiim Ultra and it is outstanding.  I mainly listen to rock and this set up does not disappoint.  

I’ve had 804s for many years, only because I never felt the urge to look further. I added a nice sub, and that helped a lot. Recently I realized that I could bl-amp using a nice Tigris integrated I’ve had lying around forever, so for laughs I hooked it all up.

I don’t need the sub any longer, and the difference was pretty astounding. In addition, I can now control the balance between the two amps. I’m not saying it’s the ultimate setup, but in my case it changed everything.

Try another brand of speakers...If the B/W 702 s3

sound so-so...sell them and move on.