A recent change of monitor speakers has made some positive difference here.

Posted by willkayakforfood (A) on July 24, 2012 at 10:53:23

In Reply to: RE: "I would not cross a sub past say 63hz." posted by Presto on June 21, 2012 at 09:40:26:

Though the sound seemed "generally satisfactory" with the arrangement I had as described above, I decided it wasn't "entirely satisfactory" -- even for this small "computer desktop" system. This system was never meant to compete with my main music system - just to be a vast improvement over the cheesy "2.1 in a box" system used for several years in this context.

Since I really do like the [single] HSU sub for this application, I decided to try a different pair of monitor speakers. Something that might reach a bit lower in the frequency range, so that I could bring the sub's low pass filter a bit lower. I'm now using a pair of Napa Acoustic NA-208S monitors (ported), and they do reach noticeably lower than the NHT Super Zeros, with still a very decent sound. Blending with the sub is indeed better (with sub set to come in at lower frequency), and the overall sound is fuller/more substantial. Though this "near field" arrangement still doesn't seem as fully "life size" as the main system, it certainly does come closer to it than with the Super Zeros.

"Sub localization" isn't a problem. It now feels like all the sound--including all low bass--is coming from the monitors.

It's still just a 2.1 system, and for this limited application will remain so, but with all these new components, speakers, cables, and tubes beginning to show some positive "burning in" results, I'm quite pleased with the sound, and feel I can now let the "upgrading" end here. Here's the entire "laptop desktop 2.1 speaker system" as it stands...

Digital output from laptop USB: DH Labs Silver Sonic digital USB

DAC: Schiit Bifrost

Analog interconnect from DAC to integrated amp: Audio Art IC-3

Hybrid integrated amp: Maverick Audio TubeMagic A1 (2 x NOS Raytheon 6AK5)

Speaker wire: Currently, just 12 gauge OFC wire, but I may decide at some point to use some Clear Day Double Shotguns like I'm enjoying in my main system. For now though, the current wires are sounding fine.

Monitor speakers: Napa Acoustic NA-208S

Subwoofer: HSU Research STF-1

Headphones: Sennheiser HD600 w/HD650 cable [Note: With this TubeMagic A1 hybrid amp, when using headphones, the output section is supposedly "purely tube driven". Whatever it is, it sounds very nice with the headphones.]

DAC, integrated amp, and subwoofer are all using Pangea AC-14SE power cords.

As mentioned, this "little" system isn't meant to compete with the large main system, but it has certainly graduated from "system through which computer can make noise" to "respectable second system" status. Music is sounding pretty good through it, and for this, I'm pleased. :)

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - DanWilson 12:45:18 06/15/12 (16)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - ZEK34 16:43:24 02/28/13 (0)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - tomm15 20:22:28 06/26/12 (0)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - delaney@rea-alp.com 07:32:11 06/20/12 (0)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - Presto 13:09:08 06/15/12 (12)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - DanWilson 20:16:10 06/15/12 (11)

RE: WOW! Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - Presto 12:47:41 06/16/12 (10)

Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - DanWilson 07:17:15 06/17/12 (1)

RE: Pic of BSI speakers model 3. All Scanspeak drivers. - Presto 09:36:34 06/21/12 (0)

I agree, I would call 80 to 120Hz the midbass not sub territory. I would not cross a sub past say 63hz. - cfb 17:31:11 06/16/12 (7)

RE: "I would not cross a sub past say 63hz." - willkayakforfood 20:15:24 06/17/12 (6)

RE: "I would not cross a sub past say 63hz." - Presto 09:40:26 06/21/12 (5)

A recent change of monitor speakers has made some positive difference here. - willkayakforfood 10:53:23 07/24/12 (0)

BSI Model 3 in Silver. - DanWilson 05:31:18 07/24/12 (3)

RE: BSI Model 3 in Silver. - bstew 10:38:59 07/24/12 (2)

RE: BSI Model 3 in Silver. - Tube_Lover 06:37:34 07/25/12 (1)

RE: BSI Model 3 in Silver. - Pete Schumacher 18:33:55 08/14/12 (0)

Follow Ups

A recent change of monitor speakers has made some positive difference here. - willkayakforfood 10:53:23 07/24/12 (0)

A recent change of monitor speakers has made some positive difference here.

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