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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
gakman
53 posts
 
Thought I would chime in on this subject as I have had the same issue. My current speakers are Focal L&R Utopia Be, 3 way with 2 ports on the back of each speaker. They are 45Hz to 40kHz.
Over the last few years I have owned them I have struggled with over ripe bass issues, tried plugging 1 port on each speaker, both ports on both speakers, toe in changes, on and on.
I am finally happy (I think) :^) with my current set up. Both ports plugged, JL Audio e110 subwoofer, crossover set at just over 60Hz then a lot of power cable and interconnect changes, also had to change out the Morrow SP 6 speaker cable to Mogami 3103. Does it ever end?
One thing I have learned is changes, especially as drastic as plugging speaker ports require patience and listening time to adjust. Try to avoid the nee jerk reaction (Oh that just doesn't work) and give the changes time to settle in, then work with them to fine tune things.

I have a SR Blue fuse coming latter today for my Moon 600i integrated amp and looking forward to hearing my system with that change.
Just my 2 cents, as always YMMV. Good luck.
Gary


























jtgofish's avatar
jtgofish
515 posts
 
Some rooms just sound bad with ported speakers and in a way most compact two ways are worse than the bigger alternatives because it seems that the makers give them a pronounced mid-bass lift to try to disguise their unavoidable lack of bass extension.
I would suggest you try building some Meniscus Audio Kairos  DIY speakers in the sealed box option.Excellent sounding speakers that are devoid of that horrible and fake one-note ported bass.
bheyamoto
18 posts
 
What I have noticed with high end subwoofers (and I'm in the same age bracket) is that even when the music is not overly loud, you still greatly appreciate the "depth".  You can actually "feel" the bass, but also carry on a conversation with the person next to you.  It's really cool.
Post removed 
marklings OP
61 posts
 
Thank you all for all the exceedingly useful suggestions.

I have done some experimenting moving my speakers away from the walls up to some 40". Not much change ! It sounds as if the problem is the room. There' a very clear spike at 70Hz and another one at 140.

The one at 70 is really impressive. By alternating a signal at 70 and 80 it's like the 70Hz signal sounds 5 times louder than the 80Hz one !

I could use a parametric EQ or better still a DSP solution. Any suggestion on room treatment not too invasive ?
Thanks a lot,
Mark
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