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“Real” bass vs. “Boom” — how do you know which?

Hi,

I'm working on positioning a new pair of Ohm Walsh 100's in my listening room. I think I'm getting close to an optimal positioning with regard to soundstaging and imaging, but I'm less sure when it comes to tonal balance.

How can you tell if the bass you're hearing is “real bass” vs. ”boom“ from room interactions?

Oddly shaped room, around 12' x 15', wood floors, speakers placed asymmetrically (out of necessity) along long wall: both speakers are 20 inches from rear wall. Right speaker is 16 inches from right wall, left speaker is around 5 feet from left wall. Two pieces of soft furniture: day bed (listening position) opposite speakers, and lounge chair to left of left speaker. Windows on three of four walls, with soft blinds on them, although I've generally been more pleased with the sound with the shades up.

Thanks in advance!!
rebbi
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,475 posts
 
Headphones as a reference is a great idea!
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
Chesky has a sampler that includes bass tracks to hear if your getting good bass, you should clearly hear each note and pluck, if its too booming it will sound for the most part like "One note bass" a term used often in these circles.
has2be's avatar
has2be
555 posts
 
Chadnliz got this one in my opinion. I have a cd of James Cottons "Deep in the Blues" on the Gitanes jazz productions/Verve label recorded in august 1995. Track ten is a solo bass instrumental by Charlie Haden called Ozark mountain railroad. You can hear every pluck and the vibrating of the strings and the stop and start of each note and every change in tone that note actually plays as it vibrates. No one note bass when played on a system that is getting it right and deep with no boom. I also like to use this CD for auditioning gear or speakers as it also features some very good Harmonica playing that is as hard as piano is to do properly and unfatiguing. Cheers
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
depends on the recording.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,475 posts
 
Yeah, its all "real", the question is how much is the right amount?

"Beyond the Missouri Sky" by Haden and MEthany is another recording that represents a special challenge. If the bass playing on this one comes in clear and defined throughout (no "one note" stuff), you are probably in the right ballpark.

BTW this recording NEVER sounded completely satisfying on my system with any speaks until the recent move to the Arc SP16 TUBE PRE-AMP. Now: Bingo!!! So there is more to really good bass than just speakers and room acoustics for sure!
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