Cconfused...

We could focus on other instruments that often sound weak even on very expensive setups. Timpani is one. Trombone. If you’ve ever had the pleasure of hearing a great trombone player in person, especially an orchestral one, you’ll know there is this presence to the sound that wraps around you. There is a heavy core (fundamental) in the mid bass with overtones that add sparkle.

@mayor.........Yes to the Trombone...

Its like a warm blanket..

@elizabeth

exotic wood bits under the equipment

Do you mean like the Yamamoto ebony wood blocks, the myrtle wood blocks from  Cardas, or something else?

Regarding the discussion of this thread, I find dynamics to be important to my satisfaction with a system, i.e., the ability of the system to transition between the loudest and softest passages, as well as impact, or the ability of the system to create the illusion that the listener can “feel” certain dynamics as they can be perceived in life, such as a kick drum or stand up (or electric) bass. I have found that ability to be mostly a function of amplifier power, speaker efficiency, speaker driver size, and room size.....you need enough power and headroom to more than “adequately” drive the speakers, which themselves must be able to move enough air for the size room they are being asked to fill with music.

For someone with a lot of spare time ⏰ and money 💰 💰. It’s the Tile and Crystal Tweak! Here’s what you need. Lots of 4x4 inch ceramic tiles. Lots of Mikro Brilliant Pebbles (small crystals of various types). Lots of audio cones - preferably DH Cones, Small, Medium and Super sizes. If you’re strapped for cash use only DH Cones or if you’re really hurting for cash any cones will suffice.

Here’s how it works. You build little ceramic tripod tables with one ceramic tile supported by three cones. Here’s the tricky part: place the ceramic tile tripod wherever there’s a vibrational “node” in the room. A vibrational node can be anywhere unwanted acoustic or mechanical energy is at a peak. 🔝 E. g., top of tube trap, on floor against side wall, on top of speaker cabinet, etc. You can either guess where the peaks are in the room or measure them with a sound pressure level SPL meter. Finally, place one Mikro Brilliant Pebbles on top of the ceramic tile tripod.

It’s is practically impossible to run out of places where these little dickens will not improve the sound. For the advanced audiophile: Doubling the number of tiles and cones by constructing a DOUBLE tripod table is even better! 🤗 Start hoarding your Brilliant Pebbles and DH Cones now! As Bob Dylan says at the end of all his songs, good luck to you.