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Why is good, deep bass so difficult? - Myths and their Busters

This is a theme that goes round and round and round on Audiogon. While looking for good sources, I found a consultancy (Acoustic Frontiers) offering a book and links:

http://www.acousticfrontiers.com/guide-to-bass-optimization/?utm_source=CTA

Interestingly: AF is in Fairfax, CA, home to Fritz Speakers. I really have to go visit Fairfax!

And a link to two great articles over at sound and vision:

https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-1
https://www.soundandvision.com/content/schroeder-frequency-show-and-tell-part-2

Every audiophile who is dissatisfied with the bass in their room should read these free resources.

Let me state unequivocally, deep bass is difficult for the average consumer. Most audiophiles are better off with bass limited speakers, or satellite/subwoofer systems. The former limits the danger you can get into. The latter has the most chance of success IF PROPERLY IMPLEMENTED.

The idea that large drivers/subs are slow is a complete and utter myth. Same for bass reflex. The issue is not the speed of the drivers. The issue is usually that the deeper a speaker goes the more it excites room modes, which the audiophile is then loathe to address.

Anyway, please read away. I look forward to reading comments.
erik_squires

Showing 1 response by zoophaugus

zoophaugus
27 posts
 
Most speakers will provide plenty of bass.  My personal experience with a pair of Elac FS209.2's for stereo use, running them with a cheap DAC and a fairly cheap amp (adcom GFA 5802) was that they were completely under performing when it came to bass. I was using good cables (cardas neutral reference) I tried a sub woofer and it just didn't match the speakers in there quickness...  mind you I tried with a home theater sub and not a musical sub.... Then I read some where that they were a demanding speaker and required a good amp to command them properly. Fast forward to today with some front end equipment upgrades I'm getting very impressive bass from these speakers and have no need or desire for any kind of sub... I have effectively solved my bass issues.

The low end notes are so tight and precise it still amazes me... who ever hears my system asks me where the sub is... lol
My main upgrades were a new DAC (Yggdrasil) and new bryston 7B3 mono blocks.. Also a used LS26... but the preamp was the final edition and bass was achieved prior to its integration in to the stereo. 
I can strongly suggest that the majority of lack of bass issues is the result of inadequate quality amplification.. As another poster here already mentioned... 
Now that I have bass ... fine tuning it is another story altogether ... now we get into speaker placement and room treatments....

Just my 2 cents from personal experience.. 
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