Lots of detail, great imaging, not much bass?

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.

If you like your speakers, what you should be considering is some sort of highpass filter, or electronics with tone controls, to reduce the really low bass output.

As far as speaker choices, you should not necessarily be looking for speakers with restricted bass, but rather, you should be focussing on finding a speaker that sounds good to you at low volume. Some candidates include: The smallest Spendor monitor (preferably an older model), Proac tablette and the small Totem speakers. If you have room to place them correctly, the Magneplanar MMGs would be great for your purposes (dipole speakers, such as the Maggies and electrostatics do a better job of concentrating the sound in the listening area and reducing the amount of sound that bleeds into other rooms and are great for apartments, provided you have enough room).

I tend to like a number of high efficiency speaker systems (horn drivers and single drivers) for this purpose too, because these types of systems deliver a very lively midrange that is great for low volume listening. However, most decent systems of these types are WAY beyond your specified price range. If you or a friend have any DIY skills, a full range system built around the full range Tang Band driver would be pretty nice.

Larry makes an interesting point. If you have speakers that you like, why not just add a crossover. I was just looking into the model offered by Hsu.

I'm guessing that maybe the 50hz high pass module would do it.

Thanks Larry! I agree with what you said and maybe I should revisit the maggie idea as Elizabeth had another good point about them not putting out the kind of bass that really travels through walls so much.

I guess I could also check into a pair of crossovers; necer thought about that...
I did try plugging my ports but that didn't work so well.

I guess I could think about a pair of speakers that would just sound really good at low volumes.

I'm just confused at the moment about whats going to work best.

Hey, Tony, thanks for the input on the different silverlines! I appreciate the info. I'll check for your pm. Thanks!

Tonyangel- if you are talking about an inline passive crossover (which is an interesting thought), wouldn't this limit the flexibility of the bass roll-off in his system?
50 Hz sounds about right, but maybe 80 Hz would required. Maybe a "try and buy" type deal?

Lowrider, I'm not talking about a passive inline crossover. This is just something that someone else brushed upon in another thread and the use of an active crossover was brought up.

Given B_limo's situation, it just seemed that adding an active cross over to the his system might allow him to side step getting rid of his speakers in favor of something that doesn't go as low.

Of course, we're just talking here and most of what I'm saying is just speculation, but whether a crossover will limit the flexibility of his system will depend on the roll off of the crossover.

If he goes with something with a steep roll off, like 24db per octave, it seems to me that high passing his speakers at 50 or 60hz would get him what he wants for his particular problem.

Believe me, I'm no expert on the subject, but it also seems to me that a steep crossover would not limit anything, but would possibly be a solution to his rather unique situation.

This thread just got of parallels something that I was discussing about my own system.

thanks, Tonyangel for the explanation. Agree that an active crossover would work in a particular system. I understand that we're just tossing out ideas.

I will give a bump to the Totem Rainmakers. I use them in my bedroom system with an HK990, and absolutely love them. I was using a pair of Quad 12L Active speakers, which were also excellent. Either of these will go down to 40hz cleanly, and can be purchased used within your budget.

The Magnepan MMG recommended earlier is also an excellent option.

Enjoy,
Mot

lowrider,

In a late night daze, I ordered a pair of Fmods, made by Harrison Labs. I got them in a couple of weeks ago and they've been sitting in my truck ever since. With all of the talk of crossovers and such, I guess I thought I'd give them a try. Since getting them, though, I've decided that my little Minuets sound really good run full range, so here the Fmods sit, still in their package.

The ones that I have are the 70hz high pass model with a 12db per octave roll off on the low side. If you want to give them a try, I'll send them to you for the whopping price of the shipping. They were only $30 or so new and not worth my time trying to sell them.

If your setup can accommodate them, they just go inline between the pre and amp (or I supposed you can use them through a tape loup). Cutting the lows going to your amp might just be the ticket for you. And cheaply.