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Improving bass response

I would like to improve the bass extension in my system. My current system includes Arcam Diva 92 > HT Pro Silway Mk II > Classe CAP-150 > Synergistic Research Sig. 2 > Sonus Faber Concerto speakers. Power cords are stock.

I know the SF monitors cannot reproduce extremely low bass. I have moved them around and believe they are optimally arranged, given the confines of the room. The room measures 15x25 feet and the speakers fire across the width of the room. They are 7 feet apart, several feet off the side walls on both sides and 2 feet away from the front wall. The sitting position is almost against the back wall and is not easily changed.

I want to avoid simply adding a sub-woofer. I have tried a Rel Strata and despite integrating fairly well, I can still hear a disconnect ie. the sound is not seamless.

I'm willing to change anything else except the Arcam which I like and intend to keep until the format wars end. I also like the speakers with the exception of the low end. Should I:

- try upgrading power cords
- change speakers (Grand Pianos or other suggestions)
- change integrated amp to separates with an amp that doubles down into 4 ohms and has better bass extension (the CAP-150 is 150W into 8 ohms and 225W into 4 ohms)
- or anything else?

Any help is appreciated.
Thanks, Dave
milo
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
Power line conditioning will definitely help. Maybe a lot. I like Tice, but there are several good ones out there. Power cords can also help bass response, but not as dramatically, in my experience. I would try a Tice Solo on the front end and a JPS Labs Power AC on the Classe, straight to the wall. You might also try the HC version of the Solo and run the amp through it, too. On smaller amps, a good PLC can be an improvement overall, especially in extension and blackness, even if you lose a bit of dynamics. The Concertinos are really nice; very coherent, like a good 2 way should be, so I'm not surprised that you didn't like the sub.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Where is/was the REL Stratus positioned? If you want to overlap the cut-off between the sub and the speakers, move the sub away from the corner towards the middle wall somewhere.


Also were you trying to integrate the sub by changing the cut-off frequency? This would seem logically to be the best way to do it, but it is not. It is much better to choose a frequency well below the lowest frequency of your speakers and turn the volume on the REL up slowly until it integrates. My Storm III is set at 38hz. My speakers are rated to 43hz. Many people use a wider gap, but my speakers are on the polite side in the bass. (A Storm III also goes deeper than a Stratus.)


I found a big improvement in the bass response with the Blue Circle BC62 power cords. They are on sale now for $125 on this site from Hello Simply Music. Well worth getting.


Have you also tried moving the speakers closer to the wall or corner?

milo OP
58 posts
 
Thanks for the responses. It looks like power cords are worth auditioning.

Sugarbrie, FYI the Rel was in a corner and I didn't have a lot of flexibility regarding placement (thanks to doors, piano, etc in the room). I did try changing the frequency cut-off and left a gap between the sub and the low frequency extension of the monitors but it didn't help. Who knows? Maybe the issue was more in my head than with the equipment.

Regarding speaker placement, I can't move the speakers closer to the side walls due to doors in both directions. Are you also referring to placing the speakers closer to the front wall as well?

Thanks for your help and look forward to any additional comments.
Dave
tinynottwoec5c
18 posts
 
I was able to get a completely seamless transition. It didn't happen until the sub was completely broken in and it didn't happen until I got the setup right. Took me a couple weeks of adjusting. Once I got it, it was like the Concertos were different speakers. They still had much of their original characteristics, but the sense of ambience and power was greatly improved. Soundstage reality and dynamics were greatly increased as well. Best $1100 I have ever spent on audio. Well, then I ended up selling my Concertos and upgrading to the Sapphrie III LEs, but that is another story. Try it, you'll love it!
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Oh I forgot; If you still have the REL, a better power cord for it replacing of the stock cord really smooths out the low bass response (less boomy for a REL, which is not boomy compared to other subs). At least 6 feet long. Maybe then it will integrate well.
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