Help mismatch maybe?


Hello folks,

I recently purchased a pair of Quad 21L2's here on Agon. I tried them with some older Adcom electronics, which were uninvolving. Having read alot of good things about Nad products, and since they were in my price range, I purchased a C372 Intergraded amp here on Agon. The sound of the Nad and Quads are very detailed which I like more then less. Although, I would like the sound to be a little fuller & organic in the midrange. As it stands right now, the system sounds as though the treble control is almost maxed and the bass control is half way on the minus side. (I am in tone defeat mode).
My wife who is also my listening buddy, finds the setup too bright for her ears, and she is unable to listen with me now, unless the volume is very low. Our listening tastes in music range from Classical, to Classic Rock to Jazz, to Female/Male vocals, and everything in between.

Our front end consist of a Arcam FMJ CD23. IC's are of the Monster, and Z squared varity. PC's are PS and Z squared types. SC's Monster M2's Speakers are on the long wall in a Near Field configuration far away from the side walls and at least 3 feet from the rear. I have tried various placement scenario's and the NF seems to be the best overall.

Now, Is it possible That the Nad and the Quads are a mismatch?
If so, I would like to keep the Quads. If it's the electronics, I would like to stay with a Intergrated amp.
Are there any simular experiences, or recommendations you could offer?

Any help along these lines would be appreciated.
Thanks.
mickey13
Thanks to all the responses so far. For Mapman, I did check the polarity and every thing is good. Imaging is good vocals front and center. Just too bright. In the openion pole, it's starting to sound like I need a Sub down the line. For now I just need to tame the brightness so my wife can enjoy the music at a reasonable level. Also, trying in another room is impossible and I don't have a basement. Our listening room is also the living room if that matters. A fellow Agoner e-mailed and suggested to go to Home Depot and get some orange and black 14ga extension cord. That sounds like least expensive place to start. I have to go there anyway this weekend. So, I'll see what happens?
Speaker wire to tame harsh highs?
Hi capacitance will roll off highs nicely.
Could it be that the room is asking for a full range speaker?
a mundane lifestyle sat sub system is ok but why settle
if you and your wife are dreaming of true performance
Look into a used pair of Vandersteen 3A sigs the NAD will work
wonderful....
and you wont need to jump thru hoops needing a permission slip to see what everyone else here thinks.
Best Johnnyr
I have owned the Arcam FMJ 23 and also a pair of Quad 11L's and a pair of Quad 12L's. Also at one time owned a NAD 320b integrated. The NAD wasn't the smoothest in the high freq. that I have heard, the Arcam was not bright. The Quads were very detailed but to my recollection they did have a bit of brightness which was accentuated by the plaster walls in my room.
Audioconnection's idea is a good one, the Vandersteen 3a sig. would be great. I always have enjoyed a full range speaker much more than monitor/sub setup.
Indeed, your speakers are way undersized for your room. I have four 7" woofers in a room that is 14x15x8. With that I have a flat bass response from 300Hz down to 18Hz (+-4dB). That is what you need to have a full-range and balanced sound.

So for 26x16x12, you need a healthy subwoofer or much larger speakers. Cables and amps will not fix your problem. Your "mismatch" is only between speakers and room. Sorry for the bad news.

Arthur