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A question of bass... Several actually.

I recently auditioned Dynaudio 72's and Rega R3's.
I enjoyed them, the Regas mostly. I found the Dynaudios didn't live up to their hype.
When I asked about bass (speakers having full bass response) the salesman (who owns the shop) said "If you want bass you have to shell out the big bucks."
Is that it?
Is it necessary to spend $1000 per speaker or over to have audible, palpable, appropriate bass reproduction?
To be clear I am not talking about disco dancing bass, but bass frequencies are a necessary part of the audio spectrum.
The salesman also mentioned that for high end audio a separate subwoofer is not appropriate as it "doesn't track."
To cover this fully, doesn't putting the amp output into a sub's crossover to be split to satellites compromise imaging etc?
rhanechak
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knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Rhanechak,

Careful listening is an acquired talent, which you already have based on your first post above. But I did see an Agoner in Cleveland with a pair of experienced ears listed for sale recently, 8.5/10 condition... (sold as is).
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,793 posts
 
If you want a reasonable subwoofer approach, take a look at the SWARM by Audiokinesis, http://www.audiokinesis.com/ click on Planetarium

This system obviates the usual room nodes and provides a seamless, extended natural bass.
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 

There is probably some curve you can draw where the cost of accurately reproducing bass notes increases geometrically with lower frequency, requiring increasing quantities of power, woofer area and box volume and bracing.

Yes, exactly.

As for decent bass from most modern speaker designs - I'd agree with that too.

I took the term "palpable, appropriate" to be the OP's criticism of most small box big bass sound. I think it is fair to say that with small speakers either

1) You can have very limited bass extension but excellent bass.
2) You can have great bass extension but merely "good" sounding bass.

You can't have 1) and 2) at least not at realistic SPL levels - so you can't have your cake and eat it so to speak.

The points made about room eq wizard are also important - as the room/setup can spoil the bass through suckouts and humps.
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knownothing
1,579 posts
 
Shadorne,

Agree completely. Too bad it is often easier to change speakers than it is to change rooms...
learsfool
1,215 posts
 
The answer to the OP's question, IMO, is no, you don't have to spend anywhere near $1000 per speaker to get great bass. I second Jax2's suggestion of used Klipsch Cornwall's with a good tube amp. I have them myself, and the bass is great. I bought them here on audiogon for $600.
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