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Saint-Sean’s 3rd Symphony

One of the reasons I bought my new GoldenEar Triton 1 speakers is that they have built-in sub-woofers which would enable me to hear the subterranean bass organ tones in the divine second movement of Saint-Sean’s 3rd Symphony. So far, the only recording of the many I’ve heard that fulfills that quest is the Mercury Living Presence disc with Paul Paray conducting.  All the other recordings fall short of delivering that magnificent sonority.
 I’m wondering if others have experienced that situation in the majority of recordings of this symphony’s 2nd movement, or do I have to start getting some room treatment.
I have no problems with bass in any other recordings.  Even solo organ recordings go deep and sound natural and fine.  I don’t want to boost the subwoofer controls on the speakers because, any higher than they are causes muddiness in everything else.
128x128rvpiano
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
How about Munch and the BSO on RCA Living Stereo? Or Barenboim and the CSO on DG? I like these two!
gdnrbob
4,444 posts
 
I recall there is one by Ormandy, that was one the first direct to disc recordings. Telarc?
B
bdp24's avatar
bdp24
9,788 posts
 
Michael Murray on Telarc.
tablejockey
3,889 posts
 
ANY system/room is challenged by that masterpiece.

I have several LP versions.
A couple faves:
The same Mercury Living Presence-Dupray
80’s DG digital recording with the Berlin Phil
RCA Living Stereo -Boston Symphony-Munch

Only the best treated/dedicated rooms can approximate the experience of hearing this performanc live.

I’m sure your Tritons are up to the task, but room treatment is mandatory.

My room unfortunately doubles as living space,so for serious listening, I do makeshift damping/reflection management.

Almost a religious experience, played loud with a nice glass of wine.
erik_squires
16,051 posts
 
 I’m wondering if others have experienced that situation in the majority of recordings of this symphony’s 2nd movement, or do I have to start getting some room treatment.
I have no problems with bass in any other recordings.

If you are going to plumb the depths of your system and room,  you should definitely:

1 - Get good room treatment, talk to GIK Acoustics and look at their soffit traps.

2 - Consider an EQ for the LFE input.

The deeper  you go, the bigger the dragons. Subwoofers can open up most music, so if you are only hearing it with one particular recording, I'd say it's probably not set up fully.

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