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Proac owners......advice please

I am runinng an all solid state Electrocompaniet system; DMB 120, 4.7 Pre & EMC MKII. I recently purchased a pair of Proac 2.5's.

I will tell you that the speakers now have about fifty hours on them. Cabling is all Nordost Red Dawn at this time. The room size is approx 17'x 24', with a 12' cathedral ceiling. The good; we have big sound stage, we have wonderful mid range with very good rhythm & pace. Please play the Dixie Chicks again!
The not so good; The bass gets dominant from time to time. I won't say that it's boomy; it's like blowing a low note through an empty paper towel holder. The highs or vocals during the playback are just not on the same level when this happens, & my ear goes straight to the bass. I might add that the vocals could be a little smoother. Maybe my room is the problem? Maybe the speakers need more break-in time?
Before I consider room treatments & the likem,has anyone experienced a similar situation or could you suggest a different cabling option? I am fairly new at high end passion...so I really need someone that is famliar with these speakers or has owned solid state with the Proac's- what have you done to get the best possible sound out of them?
I know many of many of you state that Proac's sound is the best with tubes --and ARC is also a great match. I did try an ARC LS 16 pre this week with my amp, but the match wasn't that great. I do think that I would like to stay with solid state for a while, but I am hoping that you can make suggestions about how to achieve a better sound quality with my current components or alternatives that will enhance it. Thanks!
ronkng

Showing 5 responses by ronkng

ronkng OP
12 posts
 
I have the speakers 3 ft. 4 in. from the back wall (can't go out farther due to cable length), 4 ft. from the sides & the speakers are 6 1/2 ft. apart. My problems are not at high listening levels. My volume levels are usually at 9 o'clock; cranking it up to me is between 11 and 12; everything seems to run out of steam past this point. I don't want to push it more in order to avoid clipping.

The amp is rated at 120W at 8 ohms, 240 @ 4 and 350 @ 2.

If I am going to need 200 hrs. break-in time, I think I'll borrow a friend's 5-disc player for awhile.
ronkng OP
12 posts
 
All of you have been very helpful. I am hoping that continous playing time will change things for the better. At your suggestions, I am currently doing a 5-disc player marathon.

Interesting Alcides has had a similar experience with his 2.5's. The worst case I feel at this time is that if the bass does not get better in time, I may be able to somewhat tame it. I put in an old pair of Audio Quest Topaz rca interconnects on last night & it did bring the bass more in line with the rest of the music.

My next direction in time will be to try different interconnects if the system does not improve & stay away from silver. I did try Kimber Select balanced 1130's a couple of weeks ago. Great cables, it really brought out the individual instuments on the recording but also tightened up the base & made it even more pronounced than it already was.

I am still trying to avoid the room treatments at this point. The wife acceptance factor! I can hear her now " And where do you think those are supposed to go?"
ronkng OP
12 posts
 
Rg I tried to mate the Ls 16 with the Electro amp. I was very curious as to how it would sound. I really did not add much but, took away a lot. I am sure that mated with the AR 100.2 would be ideal.
ronkng OP
12 posts
 
Drubin...thanks for the response & yes the spikes are in. I will heed your advice concerning chasing cables but, I am in need of a balanced pair of interconnects from the Electo EMC cdp player to pre. I am running single ended now & balanced makes a big difference (for the better) with these components.
ronkng OP
12 posts
 
Horn blower....I can relate to what you are asking/saying. I will say & I am sure that most would agree, that an in home trial with your electronics, is one of the best deciding factors. I did not have the option due to the store's policy.

I will say that honestly I am very pleased with my purchase. I had listened to about ten different speakers before deciding on the ProAc's; some were to bright, some were very analytical & a couple were very bland. It was the ProAc that caught my ear, they are very musical speakers & sounded the best with the type of music that I listen to.

Concerning the bass.....I do hope that it changes as the break-in period continues. Could I live with them if it does not....the answer is absolutely yes!
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