The bass alignment filter is the solution. The speaker was designed to be used with it for the proper alignment. If you cant find a set of JPS golden flutes, the simply get a good parametric eq and duplicate the filters that the stock B&W filter implements. A web search will give you the exact parameters. If you want to go custom contact Marchand electronics to build one for you. Of course you can add a sub or get different speakers or amps but that doesn't solve the issue of the bass alignment. You can also bi amp and run the filter only on the bass amp leaving the kids and high school untouched. I had those speakers for 30 years so Im speaking from experience with my recommended solutions. Good Luck
Would like to get more bass out of my B&W 801 series 2 speakers
Hello,
I've been forum diving about ways people improve their music listening experience. So many directions to choose from, I'm looking advice which will give the most bang for the buck given my situation.
Years ago I was visiting a friend who had these same exact speakers, and I went on a quest for my own pair. His setup had a *more rich sound*, but he is no longer with us for me to pick his brain. Don't know anything about how he was driving the speakers.
In general I think the current setup gives me good detailed sound, but probably a little thin in the bass. Might be because of my listening levels (low to moderate). I wouldn't call the mid/high frequencies warm, but they aren't harsh either... which was a concern with the class D amp. I'd characterize them as clean and detailed.
What I'd really like to do is bring out the low frequencies to join the party.
Environment:
massive, 32x40 with vaulted ceilings. Lots of windows.
Hardware:
B&W 801 S2
- on the original casters
- crossovers modified via the common Van Alstine mod
NAD C298 amplifier
- some decent biwire speaker cables
NAD C658 streaming DAC
- balanced xlr interconnects
Rotel CD player
What I listen to:
I listen to a wide assortment of music, this morning I went from classical to jazz... but usually I listen to rock/blues/reggae. You name it I listen to it.
Things I have considered:
- buy/build stands for the speakers.
- try out different amp(s)
there are a pair of GFA555 series 1 available locally (bi-amp?)
lots of folks recommend the Classe delta line
Any advice is welcome, thanks in advance!
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- 54 posts total
Just and update, I founds some Arcici stands and am ordering some herbie’s dots and gliders before installing. The stands are about 45# (shipping was more than the stands) and I think the speakers are over 100#, so I am waiting on the dots to assemble/raise/move. I don’t know if I am going to put any weights in the stands, they are designed to hold a good amount of sand. Hopefully with the gliders I will be able to move them around without too much trouble. I am going to reposition the speakers away from the wall, with wider spacing.
These aren’t mine, but the stands look like these:
@amtprod wrote: I see 555’s in perfect order for $400. For another $400 you have a nearly totally new amp that sounds incredible and reliable for another 2 decades. https://hoppesbrain.com/product/adcom-gfa-555-mk2-input-board/
I decided to go this route and try out the 555’s with new boards installed. There is a person out west who was highly recommended, and he has been a pleasure to work with. He seems to work with Adcom exclusively. I am waiting for their return, they should be here this week.
I don’t plan to bridge, but rather bi-amp with one 2 channel amp per speaker (vertical).
For the time being, I am hoping that the NAD streaming DAC will be pleasing. I realize that since moving the system to this big room I have not implemented the Dirac room correction, so I will also try that. If the sound is pleasing, my next step may well be to get a turntable.
Thanks for all the feedback, good listening to all. |
Oh my gosh I was just thinking about your set up yesterday! Is Jon Morris doing the refurbishment?! If yes, PLEASE tell him I say hello and his amp is still AMAZING!!!!!!!!!! I brag all the time about it. Doing the Bi-amping is going to be amazing for your set up! And those stands...man they are substantial huh?! What is the final height of things then? ~alan |
I admit to having breezed through but skimmed most of the responses. My Odyssey Audio Kismet mono-blocks put new life into a pair of Raidho D2s, small floor-standers, than I thought possible with great response and fullness of body into the 30+ Hz realm and are superb while keeping all the detail as while as adding more, plus more air and openess. Otherwise get a good DSP unit and enjoy a reasonable flat frequency response across the entire range (and enjoy your speakers so much more) or buy a decent subwoofer or more and dial them it to fit what you have now. Those B&Ws should have plenty of bass on tap, you need to figure out why they are lossy. Others have given great ideas. Even an inexpensive decent used sub, dialed in properly might fix your issues. Best of luck!
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- 54 posts total