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Bass Issues

I have an Arcam SA-20 integrated amp, B&W CM5 speakers and an SVS SB1000 sub. I previously had 20 yr. old B&W DM602 speakers. I sold them. The 602's 7" drivers were great with bass but lacked in other areas. The CM's (6.5" driver) are much better in midrange and treble but I'm having trouble getting the bass dialed in. They can get a little boomy and lack a clean drum punch like the 602's had.

I've got them 26" from the rear wall and am using the outer foam plugs in the ports. You can plug the entire port or take out the middle part and just use the sleeve. I've spent days inching the stands around, toed in, not toed in. I was using an AVR as a preamp with the 602's so I had crossover capability. With the Arcam I don't. I'm a little lost without that feature. The CM's sound best when I can cross them over at 80Hz. Do I have options to manage bass like an outboard crossover or something else?
128x128brian_holmes
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,821 posts
 
If your source is a CD player, just get some Isoacoustic Orea footers and some more for your amp. The focus you'll get will eliminate the boomy bass resulting in some pretty dramatic focus, clarity and impact.

All the best,
Nonoise
noble100's avatar
noble100
2,419 posts
 

     I suggest you try repositioning your sub in your room, and in relation to your listening seat, by using the 'sub crawl' method (you can google it).        This will ensure you're listening seat isn't located near any bass standing waves, which can make the bass sound under or over emphasized or even non-existent at specific room locations.

Tim
brian_holmes's avatar
brian_holmes OP
45 posts
 
Thank you for your responses. Much appreciated. Trying to figure out this science is challenging. I didn’t have this issue with my previous speakers but I guess other speakers is the operative term.
brian_holmes's avatar
brian_holmes OP
45 posts
 
nonoise6
My CD player has an " intelligent digital servo for shock/skip prevention". Not sure if that is equivalent to isolation feet or not.
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,821 posts
 
@brian_holmes,
My Marantz SA15S2b SACD player weighs in at 29.8 lbs and it's base can deflect small caliber bullets and yet, the results has me listening to all of my CDs again, especially the ones I couldn't get through anymore.

If you do decide to go that route, be prepared to experiment with placement as moving an inch this was or another will elicit different sounding response.

All the best,
Nonoise
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