2. cables
  3. 133032-95382

Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?

I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following:  I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable).  Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear.  I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference.  On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system.  Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff.  Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s?  Thanks for your patience.
compass_rose
auxinput
2,920 posts
 

Uhm, your B&W speaker's bass response is going to be a limitation on the design of the woofer (i.e. xmax, free air resonance, etc.) as well as the design of the cabinet/port.  That being said, you can get stronger bass when you use speaker wire with larger solid-core conductors.  You could try looking for some older Audioquest Midnight speaker cable.  This is often available on ebay or usaudiomart. 

http://www.audioquest.com/archives/speaker_cables/spiraled_hyperlitz/images/midnight_c.jpg

The Midnight is a 10awg cable and uses three 17awg conductors for each leg and has very strong bass transmission.  Alternatively, you could also try something like Audioquest Type 8 if you want something newer.  Type 8 may give you better resolution overall, but maybe not quite as strong bass.

compass_rose OP
23 posts
 
 "auxinput"...I certainly understand the limitations to bass response conferred upon the speakers due to design specs, however I purchased the CM-4s new many years ago based not only upon reviews but actually listening to them in the dealer showroom.  Really not sure why what was perceived by reviewers and myself re: more than adequate bass and what I'm experiencing currently.  But do take your point re: 10 AWG (or bigger) cable to supply the woofers.  Thank you for suggested cables to check out.
One lives in hope.
compass_rose OP
23 posts
 
A brief point to note: for many years I had a classic Yamaha M-85 brute to service the speakers, and FWIW always thought the CM-4s delivered passable bass...unfortunately the amp went Chernobyl on me a few years ago, hence the Adcom.
erik_squires
16,022 posts
 
Compass, you actually hit on something. I was going to mention it but thought it was not worthwhile.

The reviews I read say they have a minimum impedance of around 3.9 ohms in the bass. That should be fine, but if your amp was weak for some reason then a softening in the bass is what you would get.  This can make a speaker seem more "discerning" - I call it more demanding.

I would say changing amps is a better idea than cables.

Best,

E
auxinput
2,920 posts
 
@compass_rose - my point is not really to just get a larger cable.  It's to look for solid-core conductors.  I had a Beldon 5T00UP speaker cable, which is a larger 10awg cable, but it used a stranded bundle of copper.  When I switched to the Audioquest Midnight, which is also a 10awg cable (but used large individual solid-core conductors), I had a significant increase in bass power, definition and quality.
More to discover