Speaker change

[AndyHaines]

Hi all.
I'm currently have the following system;
Cambridge Audio 650amp running a CA640T, CA640C, Marantz DR6000 CD recorder and Pro-Ject Debut III through a CA540p phono amp.
These all run through a pair of Cambridge Audio S70 floor standing speakers.
Whilst I've lived with this system for approx 8 years, I'm wanting to improve the bass somewhat, especially in the lower volumes as it's rare I get the chance to crank it up!
I've bi-wired the current speakers, which I wasn't expecting it to make any difference, but it has. The mid & highs are to me nice and clear. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which make/model would be worth trying out?
Or do I need to look at a different amp? I don't have a massive budget and I'd like to stick with floor standers. I'd love to get a matching Marantz amp in Champaign gold for the cd recorder like a PM7000, but would this be a sideways/ backward move?

[Macca]

You want more bass even when volume is quite low? Pretty common issue and it's why amps used to have a loudness button, or tone control.

You won't get that by changing speakers unless you go for something much, much bigger. You won't get it by changing the amplifier unless you go for one with tone controls or a loudness button.


If I was looking to upgrade what you have I'd get better amplification first. You could get a QUAD pre-power combo with the '66' pre-amp - that has a loudness contour adjustment so you can balance the sound how you want it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142896365177 - not as crude as tone controls or a loudness switch, you can put in a house curve that will bring the whole lower end up a bit so it doesn't sound thin at low levels.

[walpurgis]

Andy, it might be an idea if you let people know how big your room is and what your budget may be and whether you will buy new or second hand. Second hand gets some great bargains.

[steve-z]

I've had a pair of Q Acoustics 3050 floor standers for about 6 months and can heartily recommend them, now they have been superseded by the 3050i model the 3050 can now be had for £349. Like yourself I don't get to play them loud very often but because of the twin bass drivers the bass doesn't fall away at low volumes. I'm just one of a number of forum members using them and at the current price they are a bargain. With 92db sensitivity you don't need much power to drive them, I run them with an Amptastic Mini 1 which is only about 15wpc, half volume with it gives a good room filling level.
I'm sure your current amp would work fine with them.
The earlier 2050i model is also available for £269, both have been WHF Award winners in previous years.

http://ecom.armourhome.co.uk/ecom/themes/qacoustics_multi/pdf/qacoustics3050-hificritic.pdf

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[oldson]

You want more bass even when volume is quite low? Pretty common issue and it's why amps used to have a loudness button, or tone control.

You won't get that by changing speakers unless you go for something much, much bigger. You won't get it by changing the amplifier unless you go for one with tone controls or a loudness button.


If I was looking to upgrade what you have I'd get better amplification first. You could get a QUAD pre-power combo with the '66' pre-amp - that has a loudness contour adjustment so you can balance the sound how you want it https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/142896365177 - not as crude as tone controls or a loudness switch, you can put in a house curve that will bring the whole lower end up a bit so it doesn't sound thin at low levels.

Martin,
what would be your opinion on adding a sub to help with bass at low listening volumes?

[oldson]

Hi all.
I'm currently have the following system;
Cambridge Audio 650amp running a CA640T, CA640C, Marantz DR6000 CD recorder and Pro-Ject Debut III through a CA540p phono amp.
These all run through a pair of Cambridge Audio S70 floor standing speakers.
Whilst I've lived with this system for approx 8 years, I'm wanting to improve the bass somewhat, especially in the lower volumes as it's rare I get the chance to crank it up!
I've bi-wired the current speakers, which I wasn't expecting it to make any difference, but it has. The mid & highs are to me nice and clear. Does anyone have any suggestions as to which make/model would be worth trying out?
Or do I need to look at a different amp? I don't have a massive budget and I'd like to stick with floor standers. I'd love to get a matching Marantz amp in Champaign gold for the cd recorder like a PM7000, but would this be a sideways/ backward move?

there is a pm7000 in gold currently on ebay

there is also a rather nice pm15s1, which i wish i had not seen and am doing my hardest to ignore :lol:

[Macca]

Martin,
what would be your opinion on adding a sub to help with bass at low listening volumes?

Can be made to work. Depends on the speakers, the sub and the room IME. I've a big Yamaha sub I had working reasonably well firing into a corner. Bass is a bit soft from it but it still adds a bit of 'weight' and body. Your main problem is bass from the sub travelling and disturbing whoever it is you don't want to disturb and then you're back at square one.

Best solution for low level listening I've found is to sit quite close to the speakers.

[fatmarley]

Tannoy DCs are known for sounding good at low volumes but maybe too big for you. I've heard people say PMC DB1 are good at low volumes and also Harbeth, so maybe worth checking those out.

[fatmarley]

Best solution for low level listening I've found is to sit quite close to the speakers.


Yes, that can work very well.

[Jac Hawk]

if you're not wanting to spend mega a lot of money perhaps a 2nd hand pair of Rega rs3 or rs5's i've always been impressed with them

[plastic penguin]

Tannoy DCs are known for sounding good at low volumes but maybe too big for you. I've heard people say PMC DB1 are good at low volumes and also Harbeth, so maybe worth checking those out.

Yes, I can vouch for PMC. However, given the diminutive size of the DB1s extended bass won't be great. I would look at either TB2i or GB1i floorstander version.

Either PMC or Q Acoustics would be my first port of call.

[Pigmy Pony]

I heard TB2i a few years ago, driven by Bryston stuff, I loved the sound and came close, but my credit rating had other ideas.