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Need better bass from Silverline Sonata

I'm using a pair of Silverline Sonatas (model 1 with single bass driver) in a mixed HT/2-channel system. In general I'm very happy with the sound -- particularly when I get the chance to pull the Sonatas out into the room -- but I feel the bass is lacking impact and real extension. Any ideas on improving bass response without using a sub (I have a Servo-15 which is great for movies but I haven't liked the results with music)? My budget is $2,000 in addition to any resale value I get selling replaced items.

Thanks in advance for your advice.

My "2-channel" setup is as follows:
Sony S7700 to Bel Canto DAC2
analog through a Bryston SP-1 to Bryston 9BST
then the Sonatas
Cables are D-60 to the DAC, Alpha Core TQ2 to/from SP1 and Acoustic Zen Satori biwire to the speakers. I'm using Virtual Dynamics Nite power cables on the DAC, SP1 and 9BST.

Options considered so far:
- replace the I/Cs with Acoustic Zen WOWs
- replace amp with new model Bryston 4BSST or pair of Evo 200.2s as monoblocks (SET-ish sound good with Sonatas?)
- replace speakers with Totem Mani-2s
jezzholland
nighthawk
259 posts
 
I agree with Rsbeck that cables probably wont give you more bass extension. However, you can affect your tonal balance to tilt the bass up a notch which might satisfy you. I've found AZ Matrix II to give that effect and Cardas Golden Reference to a somewhat smaller degree.
lemmycaution's avatar
lemmycaution
31 posts
 
Same issue here- I just replaced my NHT 2.9s with Sonata 1s. The NHTs do bass really well - as well in fact, as the Sonatas do the treble and midrange.

Though I've only had them 2days, I spent most of the weekend tweaking placement. Placement makes a lot of difference. The Sonatas are capable of filling the room with bass.

I'm using a Krell KSL and a KST100, Shanling CDt200, Harmonic Technology Magic Links/Monster 2.2s with the Sonatas - the NHTs may be just a tad more 'immediate' sounding but the Sonatas have plenty of slam and are not as lean sounding as the NHTs. Bass extension will probably have to come from a sub.

Another thing - the previous owner of my speakers only played them an hour a week for the time he owned them (18 months)so, according to reviews I've read, they are not broken-in. As I played them (10 hours), the bass response became tighter and more controlled sounding. The upper bass is so powerful that I'm going to have to place tube traps in the nearest corners.
jezzholland OP
4 posts
 
Thanks for the replies and suggestions. I ended up switching amps from the Bryston 9BST to a pair of Evo2s, which I'm using as monoblocks. Bass has improved dramatically...way more impact and more guts in the lowest ovtaves. Is it the additional 240W per channel? I don't know. Sonatas are very efficient so they shouldn't need the power. Maybe the Evo2s just have a different tonal balance from the Bryston. In any case I'm very happy. Now I need to figure out if I want to take Alan up on his offer to upgrade the tweeters and midrange drivers!
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