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Vandersteen 2C contour controls +-

So I have recently changed cables between my pre amp (ARC SP4) and amp (ARC VT60) and it made a significant difference: more detail and a better centered soundstage. But I lost quite a bit of punch in the low end. I like the effect of the new cables enough to keep them in.

If I want to use the Vandersteen contour controls to get some of the low end back do I dial it down... or up?

I’m assuming turning the bass contour down will lower the crossover point, effectively getting more from the low end.

Is this correct?



oharchie
oharchie's avatar
oharchie OP
31 posts
 
@tomic601 

I was getting damn near full range with the current placement - so yeah - it went really deep with the ARC cables.

I've AB'd them 3-4 times now over a week and I definitely prefer the magic that happens with the Hexlink cables. They do show a lot of bass but they whiff on the deep deep stuff. And that "whiff" is very much what was happening when I first got the Vandersteens and didn't have the placement correct. I could hear them trying but didn't get the resonance.

I don't tune for tons of bass but if I have a system that is capable of it I should be able to make it happen when the recording offers it.

They currently are about 26" out from the rear wall and 31" from the side walls and 105" apart (measured from the center of the top cloth).

I'm going to:

A. Try them closer together with the ARC cables with the same distance from the rear wall to perhaps center the imaging and get better detail to my listening spot.

B. Try moving the speakers back into the corners a few inches with the Hexlink cables to try and get the bass back but keep the center sparkle that happens with those.

I'll you know what develops from that!




tomcarr
1,694 posts
 
As you move them closer to the front wall, try unequal distances from the side walls (the centerline of your listening position will not be in the center of the room) by a few inches. This asymmetry will help even out problem bass modes.

Tom
tomcarr
1,694 posts
 
FWIW, I've gotten the best sound from my 2Cs with these dimensions:

(All measurements from tweeters)
Distance from front wall-12.5"
Distance from left wall-30"
Distance from right wall-40"
Distance between speakers-84"
Distance to ears, (measured perpendicular to plane of speakers)-120"
All walls and ceiling have acoustic treatment

Tom
mr_m
1,900 posts
 
I agree with most of the speaker placement dimensions, but isn't the 12.5" a little close to the front wall? Wouldn't this close to the front wall make the soundstage a little shallow? Just wondering.
Tim
gdnrbob
4,508 posts
 
@mr_m,
Rooms are all different in character, so one man's 12.5" may be 3 feet in another room. Another Vandy owner (ctsooner) had his Quatro's placed pretty close to the walls by JohnnyR. It didn't seem like it should work but it did. 
OP, let us know what you find.
Bob
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