Lots of detail, great imaging, not much bass?


Since my o.p. didn't go through, here's the short version...

Looking at possibly buying a pair of great imaging, loads of detail, low bass (as not to bother neighbors) speaker.

Budget $700-?

Front end is Classe Ca-150, lightspeed attenuator, parasound z dac blah blah blah.

Musical tastes: rock, house music, jazz, female vocals...

Want great imaging, detail and bass I can hear, jusy not bass the neighbors can hear!

Suggestions? Totems? Silverline minuets? I'd prefer to buy used since I'm looking for lots of bang for the buck!

Mucho Gracias!
b_limo

Showing 5 responses by milpai

B_limo,
You might want to check if you have enough gain in the system because of a passive volume control. The next speakers that you get should have a sensitivity rating of at least 90+db.
I faced this issue when I introduced the Promitheus TVC in the system. But as soon as I changed the connection between the TVC and the amp to XLR, things fell into place. Enough bass to shake the entire house! The reason was the amp now sees, for example, 0.8V instead of 0.4V, since there are 2 legs (+/-) in the XRL connection. So I am getting a nice gain at lower settings of the TVC. In your case you simply cannot do this, since you have no XLR at the attenuator output.
B_limo,
We are again coming back to the "gain" topic. Trust me, I have seen what gain can do and why people complain about dull, lifeless music with passives. Once you balance the system with the right gain, you will be thoroughly rewarded with great music. Unfortunately, to do this in your system, it means changing your speakers or the amp. If you get a amp, make sure it has a max sensitivity of 1V. If you change the speakers, make sure they are at least 90+ db. There are many sensitive speakers - just research them. I would say at least 92+ db speakers will fit nicely in your system.
Alright B_limo,
The "low bass?" confused me.
For less bass, you are all set with the amp/pre-amp/source.
Just get any pair of speaker between 82-88 db sensitivity and you should achieve the goal you are looking for.
B_limo,
I was out the rest of the weekend and could not reply earlier. I have exactly understood your question. But since I have gone through the same experience, I still feel that it is the "gain" you are missing. A good gain makes "night" and "day" difference during listening. Most of Niel Diamond and Joni Mitchell CDs that are very well recorded, did not have "body" in my system, till I got the correct gain. Now there is ton of body and bass!