XLR question for bass

I would bet it's room/speaker positioning. I once moved a tall record rack to the other side of the room...right next to the left speaker at what would be the 1st reflection point. I thought bass was fine before, but it was like all frequencies came into focus...tighter, including bass. I had good bass before this change but now it seemed as if the bass frequencies were punching at exactly the same time...so impact and clarity was improved.

Wasn't even my idea either...wife needed space on the right side of the room. It is not hyperbole to say it was a night and day difference. 

You need to deal with the room 1st.  Bad room acoustics, nothing is going to fix that except room treatments, especially not cables. As for experts, contact GIK or ASC or others online to get an idea what could be going on in your room

Thanks everyone.  But first and foremost, this is my office.  The desk cannot be moved (it took 2 people to move it and put it together, it is an L-shaped bow front desk, 7ft long and 7ft deep.  Some things can be done.  I will consider a tapestry for that wall.  I will consult with someone to do acoustical treatments on the hard surfaces.  I will consider drapery as well, although the windows are treated with soft fabric shades.  Art and diplomas aren't going anywhere.  Some things in life just aren't negotiable and the music will only be as good as I can get it without compromising on the things that bring me joy by viewing them daily.  I do look forward to going through this process and sharing the progress with the members of Audiogon b/c so many GREAT ideas have popped up due to these questions.  I truly appreciate everyone's generosity and willingness to help.  

Thanks so much.

Bill

OP

Thanks for the photo… that was worth a lot of words. Nice system and speakers. That looks like a really challenging space. I am not sure how I would approach it.

I have met a few people with skills good enough to go into the room and they would say, “move this here and this here, let’s make a short absorbent plank here to throw the sound here… but I have met few. I would send a photo of the space when talking to possible help. You might ask a couple of the closest very high end audio store managers if they know anyone… it is quite possible they might have the skill. A professional audio consultant might be skilled at building spaces… not tweaking within such a confined space. Interview carefully.

I’d really like to help… but I’d have to be there and listen… and maybe something would come to me, maybe I would draw a blank. Good luck. If you get it set up to your satisfaction I’d really be interested in how.

If it does, it has little to nothing to do with being XLR. Maybe some cables will be slightly better. But for the most part - no.

Furthermore, most (too many) balance XLR interfaces on consumer gear are really just balanced-to-unbalanced adapters and may be inferior.

BAss is room and speaker placement.  And maybe amp/speaker interface.