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Speakers for aging audiophiles - What's with today bass emphasis ?

I'd love to pick your brains on a issue and possibly a suggestion
My system has 2 sources, a Logitech transporter and Thorens 126 MKIII / SME / Supex.  Ampli recently changed to a Musical Fidelity M6si. My listening is 80% streaming and 20% vinyl. It's mostly classic and prog rock but also acoustic jazz and classic chamber music.
I have an issue with my current speakers setup: Dynaudio BM6 passive.
I have been using those for some months now and find that while they are satisfying in terms of scene, detail, resolution they are exceedingly strong in the bass (say 50 to 200 Hz) and not adequately balanced in the middle / treble, say from 1k Hz up. It seems as though the bass player stand in front with a big amplifier and everyone else is back in the stage.
I have changed the amplifier to the Musical Fidelity but while I am happy with that I did not see much change in respect to the issue I am describing.

I relate this issue to 2 causes:

1. Today's recordings emphasizes the bass unrealistically. Let me just give you an example. I recently bought Steve Wilson remix of Marillion "Misplaced Childhood". Great work. The mix is shining but compared to the old vinyl I have got you get this feeling of too much bass. Bass quality is great, well defined, solid, no complain but just too much of a good thing.

2. I am ageing, over 60 now. It is well know that as you age your sensitivity to the high frequencies falls down

Given those factors I'd like to change speakers to get something that:
- Is very open on the highs
- It's very analytical
- Does not over emphasize basses
- Bookshelf
- Ballpark cost 2 - 2.5 K

Can anyone make suggestions ? I was inclined to the Harbeths M30 but read several blogs where they say they do emphasize the bass. Maybe Dynaudio Special or Focus  ? How about Totem Sky ?

I don't mind spending a few more bucks to get what I want / need.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Mark.
marklings
2channel8
758 posts
 
After you try stuffing the port (experiment with full and partial stuffing) Experiment with toe in.
I have some old Boston Acoustics T-830 3-way mini towers that sound great very close to the wall. They are sealed (Acoustic suspension).
I upgraded to Canton Ergo 3-way towers that are ported in the front. They sound awesome to my 65 year old ears. Canton says their speakers can be placed 12" from the surface behind them, even though the Vento 826 bookshelfs are rear ported.

I believe NHT is back in business and they make highly regarded acoustic/sealed speakers. You could also focus on front ported speakers that are less influenced by the surface behind them. Some examples are Monitor Audio and SalkSound.
Post removed 
mcreyn
293 posts
 
“Sadly, I can’t say I’m surprised by all the suggestions to simply throw money at the problem with another large, ported bookshelf speaker. For crying out loud, the guy has his speakers within 10" (that’s inches btw) of the wall!“

I agree and suggested a week ago eq, digital correction, and/or room treatment, as have several others. The OP is unwilling to work with the obvious choices of moving the speakers out (which can be easily done for listening and moved back when done given their size) or otherwise maximizing what he has. Unless he purchases speakers specifically designed to be put against the wall, or close to it (Vortex Acoustics, some totems, nearfield studio monitors, custom) changing speakers will not fix the problem.


13blm's avatar
13blm
63 posts
 
Totem Arro is a tiny tower that may meet your needs if your not a head anger. They work very well with tubes and solid state. Used pairs are readily  available  and easy to resell if not to your satisfaction. Model 1 are excellent  but demanding. Also
Reference 3a Decapo Be is superb
stevebraxton
17 posts
 
It may be good to consider a hearing aid to level set what frequency range to focus on.  I understand from ENT specialist the new ones can be connected to a computer to fine tune for one's diagnosed frequency range loss.
  I am going through a similar experience and concluded that a hearing aid for my left ear is essential before changing my audio system.  My right ear is still normal so I still hear all the nice things happening in the right stereo channel more so than the left channel
  Hopefully, if the upper hearing frequency can be restored the bass will not sound over emphasized.
  
  
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