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Speakers replace or improve?

Hello,

In my home stereo I use pair of Polk Audio TSx 550T floor standing speakers connected to the YAMAHA A-S501BL amplifier, which is connected to the Fluance RT85 Turntable with Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge.

The treble and mids are ok but the bass is very weak.

To make the speakers to produce some bass I reduce treble, reduce the Loudness setting  from Flat to -30db and turn volume to very high. But I live in a townhouse and can’t do that most of the time.

If possible I would like to increase the bass. I know that this question was asked many times and there is no universal solution. My home stereo is located in the small living room which practically doesn’t have a back wall because there is a big opening between the living room and the dining room.

I also have the Polk Audio PSW108 subwoofer but I don’t use it because there is no room for the sub in my living room. 

My questions are:

1. Can the Schiit Loki equalizer improve/increase the bass? Can I connect the Schiit Loki between the Fluance turntable and YAMAHA phone input without preamp?

2. Do I need to replace my speakers? Are there decent inexpensive (below $1500 a pair) speakers for a small room?

3. Can I use bi-amp option for my speakers? Do I need to buy a second amplifier for this option?

Thanks in advance for any answers and recommendations.

sukhenkoi
grislybutter
2,997 posts
 

Are there decent inexpensive (below $1500 a pair) speakers for a small room?

absolutely, a lot of good choices: https://speakerchoices.com

 

mahgister's avatar
mahgister
13,013 posts
 

Very useful indeed thanks ...😊

absolutely, a lot of good choices: https://speakerchoices.com

sukhenkoi OP
7 posts
 

Great site. Thanks.

@grislybutter 

moonwatcher
447 posts
 

I would suggest replacing the Ortofon 2M Blue Cartridge. I love mine (it was an easy step up from the Red), but I already had a "warm" system in my den with an old Polk Subwoofer. The Blue is known for not being a "warm" cart. Others on here with more experience might recommend a MM cart that has more bass oomph to it. +1 for those recommending bypassing the built-in phone amp in the RT-85 and getting say the Schiit Mani.

I have an EQ in my "real" system and use it sometimes. But the issue is that just like Erin’s Audio Corner has shown on his YouTube channel, not all speakers respond well to EQ, so whether or not your Polk will is an open question.

In essence that is what your loudness control is trying to do...boost bass and treble but that is *supposed* to be for listening at low volumes not normal ones. Your use of it and then trying to compensate by turning down the treble just isn’t a good solution as you have no idea of what it is doing throughout the frequency bands.

Good luck. If all else fails, I tongue-in-cheek recommend investing in a good headphone set up. Then you don’t have to worry about upsetting the neighbors.

On a lark, do you have a friend that has a decent AVR with room correction? Maybe you could borrow it one weekend and see if DSP could adjust things for you. If so, at least you’d know the speakers were not the weak link.

sukhenkoi OP
7 posts
 

Hello, 

Thank you very much for your suggestions. 

Normally, I don't use loudness control to boost the bass. I was experimenting to see if speakers can produce the bass. I found that they can. They just need much more volume/power then I can apply in my small living room. If I put more volume then treble and mids will be way too loud.

So, my option right now is to use my Polk Audio sub. Not the best sub but it does its job. 

Then, when I have more time, I will try bi-amp option. I will try to connect woofers on the speakers to my 25 years old more powerful Sony receiver. I just need to order speakers wires and RCA splitter.

Thanks

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