2. speakers
  3. 137098-116061

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
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.
david_ten
5,480 posts
 
Herb Reichert: "Most of the listening observations below were made sans socks." 😊 Yes, that’s SANS socks.


@marklings I’ll mail you a six-pack of Wigwams, if you place an order. Send the thank you note to stereo5. AND if you find you don’t need them, send ’em back because they make a great outer layer when I’m hiking the Adirondaks. Little known fact, they can be weaponized if confronted by a bear. Good to have an extra pair in your pocket. 😊


From Herb’s Conclusion: "They delivered exceedingly smooth, liquid sound that was weighty, coherent, and impactful. ....The Impact Monitor is an all-rounder—a loudspeaker capable of satisfying many serious audiophiles, dance-partygoers, and record collectors. Few speakers can play every musical genre with the Impact’s level of ease, acuity, and, uh . . . impact. Add to these virtues the fact that few other moderately priced audiophile speakers can play so loud without distortion. And they’re unusually easy to drive. At times, the Impact Monitor looked—and sounded—a bit too big for my small room, but I doubt many pairs of stand-mounted speakers could fill a larger room as powerfully or effectively as these did mine. Highly recommended."

Note, I included the ’a bit too big for my small room’ part also. 😊

Let me know when I need to order the Wigwams!

https://www.stereophile.com/content/tekton-design-impact-monitor-loudspeaker-page-2#ga1vvMfHB6esyg2v...

All the best with your search and final choice.
jnorris2005
185 posts
 
I'm an aging audiophile too, turning 66 in August.  I bought a pair of Martin-Logan ESL from BestBuy last year for $2500 and I have been loving every minute I spend with them.  Imaging, detail, bass/treble balance, tonality, are all superb - especially for the music you like (which almost mimics mine - except for chamber music).  Try them in your home if you can; they are something special.
jnorris2005
185 posts
 
...ooops, sorry, just reread your original post and realized I missed the word "bookshelf".  Never mind about the Martin-Logan...unless you can re-arrange your room...
More to discover