XLR question for bass

Thanks everyone.  But first and foremost, this is my office.  The desk cannot be moved (it took 2 people to move it and put it together, it is an L-shaped bow front desk, 7ft long and 7ft deep.  Some things can be done.  I will consider a tapestry for that wall.  I will consult with someone to do acoustical treatments on the hard surfaces.  I will consider drapery as well, although the windows are treated with soft fabric shades.  Art and diplomas aren't going anywhere.  Some things in life just aren't negotiable and the music will only be as good as I can get it without compromising on the things that bring me joy by viewing them daily.  I do look forward to going through this process and sharing the progress with the members of Audiogon b/c so many GREAT ideas have popped up due to these questions.  I truly appreciate everyone's generosity and willingness to help.  

Thanks so much.

Bill

OP

Thanks for the photo… that was worth a lot of words. Nice system and speakers. That looks like a really challenging space. I am not sure how I would approach it.

I have met a few people with skills good enough to go into the room and they would say, “move this here and this here, let’s make a short absorbent plank here to throw the sound here… but I have met few. I would send a photo of the space when talking to possible help. You might ask a couple of the closest very high end audio store managers if they know anyone… it is quite possible they might have the skill. A professional audio consultant might be skilled at building spaces… not tweaking within such a confined space. Interview carefully.

I’d really like to help… but I’d have to be there and listen… and maybe something would come to me, maybe I would draw a blank. Good luck. If you get it set up to your satisfaction I’d really be interested in how.

If it does, it has little to nothing to do with being XLR. Maybe some cables will be slightly better. But for the most part - no.

Furthermore, most (too many) balance XLR interfaces on consumer gear are really just balanced-to-unbalanced adapters and may be inferior.

BAss is room and speaker placement.  And maybe amp/speaker interface.

Thanks again for all the great feedback and suggestions.  I reached out to HD Axoustics as I think I'd be better served having a professional guide me.  In the long run, I may spend less money with better results.  If I try scattershot implementation on my own, I'm likely to just get frustrated.  

So glad to be a part of this great community.

Bill

I would suggest:

1. Ask the pro about what treatments actually help bass frequencies
   1. Bass traps work, but a rug will do SFA for bass modes.
2. Get a mic and REW to help with quantifying things
   1. Like what frequencies are you referring to as bass freqs?
   2. You could place a sub at the listening position and measuring with the mic at a variety of likely speaker placements. Reciprocity will make it the same as moving a heavy speaker.

• Get the speaker(s) in the right place first, then decide on a DSP or treatments.
• Treatments normally help more above 200 Hz, and DSP below 200Hz.
• Cables do almost nothing for bass.

To answer your question: No, XLR cables won’t do much, if anything, to improve bass response in that situation. You have a bright room with many hard surfaces. One of your speakers has no wall behind it for bass reinforcement. A sub woofer would help, but again, its a difficult room. Personally, I wouldn’t even try for high quality sound in that room. I’d employ a desktop system, listen in the nearfield and move those components into another room and situation that would support a better listening environment. Best of luck!

P.S.  Nice rack!