2. speakers
  3. 192993-41563

Would like to get more bass out of my B&W 801 series 2 speakers

Hello,

I've been forum diving about ways people improve their music listening experience.   So many directions to choose from, I'm looking advice which will give the most bang for the buck given my situation.

Years ago I was visiting a friend who had these same exact speakers, and I went on a quest for my own pair.   His setup had a *more rich sound*, but he is no longer with us for me to pick his brain.   Don't know anything about how he was driving the speakers.

In general I think the current setup gives me good detailed sound, but probably a little thin in the bass.   Might be because of my listening levels (low to moderate).    I wouldn't call the mid/high frequencies warm, but they aren't harsh either...   which was a concern with the class D amp.   I'd characterize them as clean and detailed.  

What I'd really like to do is bring out the low frequencies to join the party.

 

 

Environment:
massive, 32x40 with vaulted ceilings.    Lots of windows.

Hardware:
B&W 801 S2
- on the original casters
- crossovers modified via the common Van Alstine mod 
NAD C298 amplifier
- some decent biwire speaker cables
NAD C658 streaming DAC 
-  balanced xlr interconnects
Rotel CD player

 

What I listen to:
I listen to a wide assortment of music, this morning I went from classical to jazz...   but usually I listen to rock/blues/reggae.   You name it I listen to it.

 


 

Things I have considered:

- buy/build stands for the speakers.
- try out different amp(s)
        there are a pair of GFA555 series 1 available locally (bi-amp?) 
        lots of folks recommend the Classe delta line

 

 

 

Any advice is welcome, thanks in advance!

chessie

Showing 1 response by yags1

yags1
43 posts
 

I owned the exact same speakers as you, the Sound anchors stand's requires you

to remove the plate on the bottom to mount the speakers on the stands.

This raises the speakers up aprox 4- possibly 6 inches  and also gives them a

slight tilt back, I also had the original B&W bass extender that goes into the tape

loop on your preamp, This unit is cheaply made, so I  had the Krell extender

that B&W asked Krell to design for this speaker and contrary to what people are

saying it does make a big difference to the Bass along with useing the sound

anchor stands. Originally the Krell unit sold for aprox $1000.00 but if i see them

now the cost runs between $2000.00- $3000.00 depending on how gready the

sellor is or what they Paid for them. I would recommend Getting the sound anchor

stands designed for these speakers as it lifts them up aprox 4" so the Twitter is at

aprox ear level when sitting in a chair. But I would wait untill you tried the higer

powerd amp to see, as I was driving them with a older Krell 600 wpc amp that

weighed 200lbs to see if you notice any changes in the Bass extension, before

starting down the road to be making changes to your system, also the speakers

were aprox 2 feet from the wall. They were also in my great room, where the ceiling

started out at 8' and ran up to 22' high on a 32 foot wall as I have a fireplace in that

room.

This fixed all my problems with the bass. Ihave since moved on with a newer 

system but this is what I remember when I owned the B&W 801 series 2 speakers.

Hope this gives you some more clarity on your system. Good Luck !

 

More to discover