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B&W bass alignment filter (BAF) and Krell BAF on Legacy Focus

The 801s used to come with a bass alignment filter (basically bass eq) that bumped up certain very low frequencies and filtered out some "junk".  Many say they were an overall detriment to the sound but many swear by them.  

Today, I have a pair of 801 s2 that I would love to try out the BAF make my own opinion but I also got a pair of Legacy Focus speakers which are phenomenal in their own right but I've heard they may benefit from the BAF too.

Have we reached a concensus in the past 20 years about these things?  I've tried to research threads but don't have hundreds of hours to dig through.

Also, why don't any speakers use BAF's or equivalent today?

dtximages
hiend2's avatar
hiend2
376 posts
 

Just looking at the Stock B&w filter and is very adjustable with internal switches maybe could come closer to match other speakers.

Id say pick up a Pair,

I kick myself in the Ass for selling the JPS labs Golden fluke filters.

erik_squires
15,872 posts
 

The bass alignment filters are necessary for the speakers to perform as intended, though we may no longer appreciate the inexpensive (by today’s snob standards) design used. The idea is usually still used in studio monitors in order to maintain the appropriate bass balance in very different locations.  Something very expensive and difficult to do in passive speakers.

Users have had great success replicating the effects by using Roon’s EQ or a variety of digital EQ’s.

So, I’d say you need the curve, but not necessarily the box.

hiend2's avatar
hiend2
376 posts
 

People just add subs these days

tattooedtrackman's avatar
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tattooedtrackman
882 posts
 

I also have and use the B&W Krell BAF. (2) balanced. For my B&W 800 Matrix. I originally was using with my Krell FPB 600. I know use them with my new Audio Research REF 750s. Btw. The ones that came with the B&W speakers was a very small box and didn’t have the same effect as the B&W Krell BAF. They are actually built like a tank. Just like older Krell amps. And they are very rare and can cost anywhere from $1500 to 2 k apiece. 

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