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System too bassy - Primaluna & Usher

I'm looking for advice on how to tame my bass. Since upgrading my amp to the Primaluna Dialogue One from a low end Harmon Kardon, I've noticed my fatigue level from the bass has shortened my listening times drastically. That could also be because listening levels are higher because of the increased power. Regardless, I would like to tame the bass which these Ushers are known for.

THE SETUP:

Lossless Files
Apple TV > unknown decent quality optical cable to...
Rega Dac > low end Monster RCA cable to
Primaluna Dialogue One > $3 ft speaker cable to
Usher Be-718 speakers
VTI Metal stands

The room is 12' X 13' with one side open concept into the rest of the condo. The wall that the system is against is actually a couple of feet shorter because of the HVAC system, which puts one speaker in a corner.

I just got the Primaluna amp and I love the Ushers and do really like the Rega Dac. So I'm not willing to change those.

MY THOUGHTS:

I'm thinking of interconnects, speaker cables and room acoustics. I think room acoustics is a must regardless. Perhaps I do that first, then look at the total sound.

What are your thoughts?
deetothevee

Showing 6 responses by lowrider57

lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
I agree; when you're alone pull them out 3 ft. (really exaggerate the position) and see how they sound.
Herbie's has a solution for moving speakers away from the wall during listening sessions...

http://herbiesaudiolab.net/spkrfeet.htm

Look at the "Gliders" to put under speakers. I use them with my hardwood floors. Different types for with and w/o spikes.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Deetothevee, once you have found a spkr position that works, you can have a listening session and then push the spkrs back toward the wall when SHE gets home. I'm single, and my spkrs are out into the room, but when I have company over, they're back against the wall.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Biwire is only possible with a bi-wire capable speaker. 2 sets of terminals are on the back of the speaker, one pair for the woofer, and one pair for the tweeter. I see your spkrs have these.

At the amp end there is one L and R connector and at the spkr end there are 2 pairs. You drive the tweeter and the woofer separately depending on the load needed for the highs and the bass. At each one of these separate pair of terminals, the LOAD seen by the amp is different; bass uses more current. In a traditional setup with only a L/R at the spkr, the internal crossover distributes the signal to both drivers. Some believe sound is better when woofer and tweet are wired separately.

I think Mattmiller is talking about a double-run from amp to spkr terminals (2 separate cables for each spkr)
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Biwiring does sound better in some situations, really depends on the amp and the crossovers in the spkrs, might be worth a try since the amp would be driving the bass and the high loads separately. Sorry, don't know about prices; Google some Kimber retailers?

A double-run would require 2 cables hooked up to same tap at the amp, then one cable runs to the tweeter, 2nd cable runs to the lower bass terminal. IMO, this probably would sound better than a single cable. But, you would need to buy 4 cables and be able to wire them both to the amp terminal, meaning using bare wire or spades.
I think this is what mattmiller meant.

PS...In both cases, you would be removing the stock jumpers on the speaker terminals which would be beneficial.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
"Biwire to resolve bass issues.."
Agree, Mapman. This is not the root of the problem; spkr placement and room acoustics are the most plausible cause.
But since the OP is looking for an upgrade in cables as well, some used Kimbers would improve definition in his spkrs.
lowrider57's avatar
lowrider57
5,418 posts
 
Brilliant, AL. Looking at the impedance curve, your solution makes so much sense.
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