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Speakers for aging audiophiles - What's with today bass emphasis ?

I'd love to pick your brains on a issue and possibly a suggestion
My system has 2 sources, a Logitech transporter and Thorens 126 MKIII / SME / Supex.  Ampli recently changed to a Musical Fidelity M6si. My listening is 80% streaming and 20% vinyl. It's mostly classic and prog rock but also acoustic jazz and classic chamber music.
I have an issue with my current speakers setup: Dynaudio BM6 passive.
I have been using those for some months now and find that while they are satisfying in terms of scene, detail, resolution they are exceedingly strong in the bass (say 50 to 200 Hz) and not adequately balanced in the middle / treble, say from 1k Hz up. It seems as though the bass player stand in front with a big amplifier and everyone else is back in the stage.
I have changed the amplifier to the Musical Fidelity but while I am happy with that I did not see much change in respect to the issue I am describing.

I relate this issue to 2 causes:

1. Today's recordings emphasizes the bass unrealistically. Let me just give you an example. I recently bought Steve Wilson remix of Marillion "Misplaced Childhood". Great work. The mix is shining but compared to the old vinyl I have got you get this feeling of too much bass. Bass quality is great, well defined, solid, no complain but just too much of a good thing.

2. I am ageing, over 60 now. It is well know that as you age your sensitivity to the high frequencies falls down

Given those factors I'd like to change speakers to get something that:
- Is very open on the highs
- It's very analytical
- Does not over emphasize basses
- Bookshelf
- Ballpark cost 2 - 2.5 K

Can anyone make suggestions ? I was inclined to the Harbeths M30 but read several blogs where they say they do emphasize the bass. Maybe Dynaudio Special or Focus  ? How about Totem Sky ?

I don't mind spending a few more bucks to get what I want / need.

Thanks a lot everyone.

Mark.
marklings
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
@stfoth Agree to disagree, then. : )  In my experience, the Impact series varies per recording and is heavily influenced by what's ahead of it, including cabling. I've been able to go from very tubby and rolled off to extremely tight bass (this applies to the midrange as well). The speaker itself (to a large degree) doesn't lean one way or another. 

I know your experience has been different and I respect your findings. The 60 day trial period, if the OP chooses to explore it, will allow for him to find out for himself. 

I don't know how his preferences and ancillaries will line up, but I do believe that when set up to do so the Impacts will offer the OP what he has posted: "very open on the highs...very analytical..does not over emphasize basses."

The Impacts, as well as the Studio Electric M4, are just two of MANY options, that will likely fit what the OP is looking for.
stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,404 posts
 
The Stereophile review stated that the bass of the Impact Monitors was very overwhelming in the reviewers room.  Even after stuffing the ports with socks didn’t alleviate the problem as he kept removing and inserting them in the ports.   I would look at one of the original Magico speakers, detail in spades.  
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
Not a bookshelf but used for that by some (it's a fat, squat, floorstander), My Klipsch Heresy IIIs have very coherent bass to around 58hz (read the Ken Micallef review in the June...I think...Stereophile), and I use a couple of REL subs to get to the lower stuff. No port stuffing necessary, and for me simply lowering the input levels of the subs when things are too bassy is a simple solution. Another simple solution is to utilize a Schiit Loki EQ...works amazingly well. In my listening room anyway, the Heresy IIIs are relatively unobtrusive compared to pretty much any other stand mounted or tower speaker I've owned as their shortness obviates their physical presence somewhat. They're still fat...can't hide that.
mrdecibel
3,064 posts
 
marklings, it is my opinion that the speakers you have are a modern day Yamaha NS10 M, or are trying to be. Looking at their specs and reading about them, they are fairly accurate, and should not be that " off " as you say. If your earlier recordings are sounding good to you, then, it is not the speakers. In fact, your speakers seem to have the ability to play large scale music with a good amount of dynamic range. I am not sure another pair of speakers are your answer at this time. As some mentioned, room acoustics play a big part in listening, but, the BM6s are 
near field, and if you are not listening near field, you might be picking room aberrations. Enjoy ! MrD.
milpai's avatar
milpai
2,402 posts
 
@marklings,
Based on your following requirements:

- Is very open on the highs
- It's very analytical
- Does not over emphasize basses

 I think you should replace all ICs and Speaker Cables with a cheaper silver based cable. Notice, I said "cheaper" silver cables. Those cables will extend the highs and not emphasis the bass. On the other hand if you install a "well designed silver cables", they will be pretty neutral and you will be back to square one.
So no point replacing your loudspeaker, since designers try to do their best to make them sound as neutral as possible. Cheaply designed "silver" cables are probably the best best to achieve your goals.
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