What is the most dramatic way of increasing a speaker's Bass and Low mid?

Hi Dumbeat,

I know that it seems ridiculous, but it is absolutely true.
Power Power and more Power is the the way to clean articulate sound.

I was a skeptic for many years. Only because, I am not wealthy /rich and I did not want to spend more money on the least sexy, unseen items in my system. 

I came to a point where I felt that I had to change my speakers because I was not getting enough of - everything out of them. I chalked it up to  needing new speakers.

Lucky for me I do happen to have a few rich friends with disposable incomes who have become audiophiles over the years. One of them suggested that before I invest in new speakers that I try out one of his Power Cables. They have been very generous in letting me audition some of their equipment / cables in my own system so that I could make my own determination.

As much as I didn't want it to be true. The hard truth was that there was absolutely no comparison. I could tell in the first 6 seconds.  It was like I had added an entire new component or amp, rather than some Power Chord.

By introducing that Power Chord I had a completely new system. I realized that all those years my system was only operating at 50% at best. With the Power Chord it was a true 100%.

My speakers had real grip - the drivers working like pistons pushing air, the music had texture, detailing of cymbals, stops, broken guitar strings, the spit that formulates in ones mouth before Sound emanates from the depth of ones throatn - all the stuff that I had been missing!!!

Ultimately what I have come to understand is that in a home system for someone who is fanatical about sound quality - 25-35% investment from the total budget is typical for power delivery and cabling .

What I suspect is that you're  1%  assessment is made on the total investment on a Professional Facility. Equipment, Room Treatments, Lease Holds - average electric bills run from 2K  into the tens of thousands depending on the size.   

A Professional Facility also has an Unseen Foundation which would contain several Substations, Linear Filtration Breakers with Dedicated Lines to Specialized Outlets and then Professional Grade Power Strips.  Taking in all of that cost into account the actual Power Chord / Cables may end up being 1% of the total cost. 

The bottom line is that only you will know. You gotta make the time to check it out for yourself. Do you know what power delivery is used at the professional facilities you have been in? What are the cable used in the facilities etc.

I still have the same speakers, same amps. Added a Sub and a Super Tweeter. Admittedly its taken some time and investment but everything has been purchased off the used market. The juice was definitely worth the squeeze. 

The Cable Co. has a great audition policy you may want to check out ask for Jason. Least expensive way to check out some cables without purchase - unless you have rich audiophile friends....
www.thecableco.com

Stage 3 Concepts - The Kraken is the 6 second cable I referred to.
www.stage3concepts.com

Analysis Plus - Silver Oval 2 I also use
www.analysis-plus.com

HB Cable Design - fantastic Power Distributor 
http://www.hb-cable-design.com

Thales - Great Interconnect and Speaker Cables
www.tonarm.ch

Henry Rollins - has something to say...
www.stereophile.com/writer/26884

Hi dumbeat,
Stage 3 Concepts. I was lucky and was able to get a free audition from a buddy who had already purchased it. When I knew I was ready to make that commitment, I bought Used for about 50% off MRSP.

From what I read you already have great components. Just need to maximize their operating potential.

I began with one Stage 3 Concepts Kraken from the wall outlet to a Passive Power Strip, back then it was Oyaide R-1.  From that power strip I ran Silver Oval 2 power cables from Analysis Plus to my components.

When I was able to find another Stage 3 Cable, in this case Minotaurs - a step down from Kraken,  I replaced the Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2s with them. I started from the source/ CD player, then the Pre amp, and finally the amps. 

It took several years to source these out and I am still trying to get into a pair of Stage 3 PC for my Subs. I am currently using the last two Analysis Plus Silver Oval 2 on those. Know that with each Upgrade there were remarkable differences.  It takes some patience for sure, but well worth it.

The way I look at it is the investment I have made over the years in Power Delivery has been able to maximize the performance of my components and speakers. This substantial investment has come in at a fraction of the price of what some of my rich friends have spent on full blown out 500K - 800K systems. In some cases twice over.

Naturally I have made comparisons, and I will say that Musically,  my system is just as good if not slightly better than the 500K systems.That assessment is mainly due to personal preferences and choices. When it gets up to the 800K systems - admittedly they are better, but certainly not  90% more $$$ better. Where all these systems really excel  is their commitment to ergonomic design / packaging - Really Sexy looking gear that blows away my stuff. I would give my system  a 6 out of 10 for looks and its probably a bit lower as no parent ever really wants to admit that they have an ugly kid - no matter how talented.

I hope this helps you out
Enjoy the ride, Its not a race..