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In Reply to: OK ... What's "Better Bass" on a Maggie?? :-)) posted by andyr on March 23, 2007 at 04:41:20:
I have IIIa's and the specs say they go to 35. I have had a subwoofer, but turned it off. When I listen to Charlie Bryd at the gate, when they pluc that BASS i hear those notes very distinct and at equil levels with the other instruments its very low tones. I dont have a meter to measure, but I know its low.To me thats bass...
No what did it take to hear it like that
$1500 Turntable set up
$1500 Oddesy Mono amps
a good but could be better preamp (Bk Sonata pro10mc) good phono section
and solid coper speaker wire (New addition) - speaker wires make a difference. These beat out my Monster or DIY all day long.
Follow Ups:
I'm a fan of solid-core wire too but I have heard things on a particular CD on a mate's "Orions" that I never heard on my IIIas - despite all my mods!! :-((I have improved my dynamics since then but the IIIas do not have the sheer bass extension of dual Peerless 10" woofers! :-))
Regards,
Andyr,Why are you holding out?
WHat was the Cd, and what did you hear, that you didn't hear on your Mags?
At least then we can conclude if it is a Maggie thing or an Andy thing.
OK, the track is "Get On" from the Yello CD "Motion Picture"! :-))I had listened to this before on my IIIas and, yes, I thought it was exciting but then I heard it on my mate's Orions and WOW!! :-)) there was some deep growly bass action going on that I had NEVER heard on MY speakers! Plus the "snap" of those dual 10" cone drivers was absof'nglutely amaaazing!! :-))
(This guy uses the same amps that I do so it's definitely not an "amp thing"! :-)) )
Now, I've since made a couple more tweaks to my system which deliver a bit better "snap" but that bottom octave is still missing ... a pair of subs I think is the only way! :-))
(But whether SWMBO will let me take up even more floorspace in the living room ... well I think some serious, lengthy grovelling is in order!! :-)) )
Go buy the CD and then listen to it at mates'/dealer's who has a sub ... and see wot I mean!! :-))
Regards,
Andy!!!!Thanks a bunch. Do you get that deep growling bass action with your subs?
it is interesting that you mention Yellow. Definately not my type of music, BUT a buddy who really got me in to hifi used to demo them all the time, so I have heard them before, and they are really interesting. One song that is in my head even 10 years later goes something like this "got dube dip, got dupe dip..' No clue what they are saying, but fun to listen to.
Could you do some IB subs and just take up some wall or ceiling space?
Well sortof ... in the sense that in my "second" system, I have a Rythmik Audio sub sitting in between two standmounts. When I play the Yello track on that system - yes, I can hear the low notes.Regards,
If the rhymik was in with your maggies, do you think you would get it then?
yes, I can't see any reason why I wouldn't (use subs with my IIIas) - apart from WAF!! :-))And as to whether adding a sub is an OK compromise ... I think it's better than a compromise!
Sorry, I should rephrase that: adding a *pair* of subs is better than a compromise ... adding *a* sub is certainly a compromise! :-))
A pair of subs means they can sit next to/behind each Maggie so that in effect you now have two extended-range speakers. So imaging is not a problem! They also energise the room more optimally than 1 sub.
You can choose to run the Maggies full-range or you can roll them off with, say, a 12dB electrical slope at 50-80Hz (depending on the Maggies you have). Remember the bass panel has its own acoustic rolloff at low frequencies so you've really got an 18 or 24dB rolloff acting on the lower end.
With my active setup, I believe it's better to roll them off as:
1. It stops poor old Maggie having to extend herself into distortion-producing regions of the magnetic field, at the lower frequencies.
2. It "saves" the bass amp's power from being sucked away by the lowest frequencies - ie. it in effect gives a power boost to the rest of the bass panel.
3. Although I would be feeding the Maggies with a 12dB HP signal, this only affects my bass panels (as the mid and ribbon are driven by their own bandpass and HP XOs). So the much vaunted concept of "making the highs sound nasty" as a result of introducing a HP filter on the main speakers is a furphy, in an active setup.
Regards,
SOme aussie talk?
Jeez, DR, do we have to teach you Yanquis the Queen's English?? :-))The nearest descriptions of a "furphy" I guess is:
* a red herring
* a mistaken assumption.Regards,
but it wasn't red.Andy, yet another reason to go active.
One day, I will get things set up and enjoy a fully active setup.
THanks for taking the time to instruct a bloody yankee in how to talk.
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