Vienna Acoustics Bach Grand

Alexander717
The Marantz was fine and a distinct improvement over the HK3490. The main improvement that i recall was musical instruments really coming into their own.
But there is absolutely no doubt - the bass sounds clearer and better with the cambridge. The only thing i dont like about the cambridge is that it gets hotter than the marantz. The marantz never got beyond lukewarm.
There is not much info on the Marantz PM8004 but check out the whathifi review of PM8003. I believe the marantz product numbering ends with 3's in Europe and 4's in US. Or at least thats what i could infer. Its a beautiful looking receiver too. Indeed, my initial plan was to upgrade to a pair of Marantz separates. However, the Marantz reps were very coy about the 4 ohm capabilities of the MM7025 and i abandoned the idea.
One qualification- The speakers are located in a large room about (19'x18'x9) with openings into a study and a large kitchen. This might be the reason why I have had problems with bass. But i am not an expert on acoustics. Anyways, bass is quite good now.

Just breaking in a pair of Bach Grands starting today. I was feeling like the upper bass/lower mid-range was a bit overwhelming. then I read this thread and spread the speakers further apart. Tomorrow I will experiment more with fresh ears and an empty house. I do love these, though. FWIW, when I tested them out a while ago they were barely toed in and spread quite far apart.

My general sense with the bass is simply that they produce a lot of it - they are listed down to 35 HZ and that's easy to believe. That's almost the bottom of a piano, by the way. I think they themselves aren't boomy so much as by producing more low end than a lot of small towers (like my old B&W CDM7SEs,) they expose the low resonant frequencies of an untreated room.

The detail on voices and guitars mixed with the strength of percussion and remarkable detail and soundstage really make these things stand out in their price range. They are truly remarkable, IMHO. But spread 'em.

Well, I spread my Bach Brands and changed the toe in. They sound pretty good, although the volume is low right now. Interestingly enough (or not) I moved them without taking any measurements. I ended up with the centers precisely 7ft apart, the center of the back exactly 3 feet from the rear wall and the toe in at about 15 degrees. There might simply not be sufficient volume to produce the mid-bass standing waves but I think they sound pretty damn balanced.

Finding the right amp for Vienna Acoustics Bach Grands was pretty tough. After spending about 13 months with 3 different amps (CREEK Evo; MATANTZ 2235B; ATOLL IN100 SE), I would have to agree with several people who have responded here; these speakers need power. Without enough power, the VA Bach Grands can sound a bit boomy in the mid-low range. I have settled on the ATOLL IN100 SE for several reasons: (1) its a bright and lively amp, (2) its a dual-mono amp, and it gots lots of juice-power, and (3) its not too expesive (1500 Tx-included). NOW... whoa... these speakers sound boss! So my advice is this: these speakers can sound amazing, but you need to try out some lively and powerful amps.

Viennas are really nice.. you should really consider a real amp not some best buy receiver. A power amp+ pre amp. If u use some new garbage from best buy you will always have garbage sound.
Look into vintage amps. High current. Luxman, nakamichi, harman, yamaha, onkyo all had good stuff. I prefer Japanese as they are diligently designed. Not fixer uppers or projects from NAD or adcom. As far as vienna.. best speakers I’ve heard. I have beethovens, and haydn bookshelves. Looking to pick up bachs. They are as they say laid back speakers compare to say bowers and wilkins. Ive heard and owned bunch if bw stuff. I would no doubt take beethovens over 804s bw. In a 2 way speaker in general u won’t hear a super pronounced midrange. On haydns (2way) it’s actually pretty good. Not absent like in say bowers and wilkins dm602 s3. If u like new age, electronica, and listen to it loud then probably try bw.. but u can’t listen bw for long. U get tired quickly from brittleness and "in your face"Ness of the sound.
I’d say vienna is a step up from brands like bowers and wilkins , monitor audio.. (jessica timberlake, bose, bmw of high end) vienna is more like leonard cohen , vienna, bugatti veyron.
People get obsessed by trying to hear new detail. "Oh shet I haven't heard That string sound on my old speakers, these speakers are more detailed.. " thats where bw gets u with aluminum tweeter and blown up thin mid range.  "Detailed".