@paulgartner, I think you will enjoy my post on reddit: https://www.reddit.com/r/audiophile/comments/iwnza6/reviewers_im_tired_of_your_sissypants_music/?utm...
It was a dumpster fire. LOL. We are in a minority though. Most audiophiles just don’t care about being able to play a wide range of music so they have far lower standards when it comes to the reproduction of percussion (well, at least on reddit). To your point, great bass is more realistic. It’s also extremely difficult to do well. It’s amazing how if you bring up “bass” the go too assumptions are that you only care about bass or that you only play bass heavy music or that you only want to play your music loud, blah blah blah.
I mostly listen to Blue Note records, Jack Johnson, slow stuff...but I’ll still throw in some Pop, alt rock or club music upon occasion. I didn’t drop crazy money on a system for so-so “good enough” sound stage, 3-dimensionality, vocal presence, color, texture, bass or anything else. For me personally, bass is about speed, timing, punch and impact. Lower midrange/upper bass integration is key. Think more Bruce Lee and less NFL lineman. Subs just don’t do it for me. I’m more of a blues, jazz and rock fan so my speakers needs reflect the demands of that music. I’m not saying that’s right for everyone!
That said, @downdog is spot on for my tastes. Zu Defs have the ability to make someone tap their toes because they push a lot of air 40hz - 250hz and the wideband driver means seamless mid integration.
@nonoise is right, too. For rock and blues, 40hz done well will knock your socks off and JBL has been doing that right for a long time. (I’ve had some Accuton 6”......would love to hear their 8”)
Depends on your genre and your tastes, but the right floorstander may surprise you. I’m running Focal Sopra no.3 with a 25 watt amp and the bass is crushing. CRUSHING. No need for a sub. Bass is superior to the triamplified, DSP controlled system (with room correction) I had before with 300w Krell amps and four x 8” scanspeak woofers per side (8 total). As the quality of bass improved, I no longer needed to play the woofers at a higher DB level than the satellites for it to sound right. The Sopra no. 3 are flat or close to it (depending upon room & placement).
Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track and have a great system that’s a lot of fun. Let none of the “audiophiles” suffering from the usual musical myopia shame you. BASS onward my friend!!!
It was a dumpster fire. LOL. We are in a minority though. Most audiophiles just don’t care about being able to play a wide range of music so they have far lower standards when it comes to the reproduction of percussion (well, at least on reddit). To your point, great bass is more realistic. It’s also extremely difficult to do well. It’s amazing how if you bring up “bass” the go too assumptions are that you only care about bass or that you only play bass heavy music or that you only want to play your music loud, blah blah blah.
I mostly listen to Blue Note records, Jack Johnson, slow stuff...but I’ll still throw in some Pop, alt rock or club music upon occasion. I didn’t drop crazy money on a system for so-so “good enough” sound stage, 3-dimensionality, vocal presence, color, texture, bass or anything else. For me personally, bass is about speed, timing, punch and impact. Lower midrange/upper bass integration is key. Think more Bruce Lee and less NFL lineman. Subs just don’t do it for me. I’m more of a blues, jazz and rock fan so my speakers needs reflect the demands of that music. I’m not saying that’s right for everyone!
That said, @downdog is spot on for my tastes. Zu Defs have the ability to make someone tap their toes because they push a lot of air 40hz - 250hz and the wideband driver means seamless mid integration.
@nonoise is right, too. For rock and blues, 40hz done well will knock your socks off and JBL has been doing that right for a long time. (I’ve had some Accuton 6”......would love to hear their 8”)
Depends on your genre and your tastes, but the right floorstander may surprise you. I’m running Focal Sopra no.3 with a 25 watt amp and the bass is crushing. CRUSHING. No need for a sub. Bass is superior to the triamplified, DSP controlled system (with room correction) I had before with 300w Krell amps and four x 8” scanspeak woofers per side (8 total). As the quality of bass improved, I no longer needed to play the woofers at a higher DB level than the satellites for it to sound right. The Sopra no. 3 are flat or close to it (depending upon room & placement).
Anyway, sounds like you are on the right track and have a great system that’s a lot of fun. Let none of the “audiophiles” suffering from the usual musical myopia shame you. BASS onward my friend!!!