ISO - grit, texture, decay, life from snares and bass drums


Hi all,

Interested to hear some theories on what I'm looking for in a speaker (or new amp).  My system features the Rega Aethos driving a pair of Wharfedale EVO 4.4 (bi-wired).  

Don't get me wrong - it sounds great. Clear, precise, involving.  Great tone, imaging, and separation.

But I'm missing a little bit of grit and texture.  Sometimes I wish these speakers partied better.  Snares don't *snap* crackle pop.

Off axis listening - especially standing in the room, rather than sitting - changes tonality significantly.

What am I looking for?  More bass? More musicality? More Life?  I don't want bright or fatigue.

 

Some speakers I'm considering in no particular order based on descriptions/reviews:

- Sourcepoint 8

- Revival Audio Atalante 3

- PMC prodigy5

 

Thanks!

leemaze

Perhaps an EQ to dial in aspects of sound that you're looking to enhance.
 

The low frequency (bass) range up to around 200Hz or so contains the fundamentals (lowest frequencies) of instruments like kick drum and bass—this range usually affects the tonal quality that’s typically described as “thump” or “boom”, in studio jargon.

The lower-midrange (Low-Mids) includes everything from upper bass—“punch”—to the frequencies that often account for a “boxy” quality, something usually avoided in a modern mix.

The area I labelled just “Midrange” is the center couple of octaves of the audible range. This range is often attenuated (reduced in level) to prevent too much overlap of harmonics and overtones in a mix, which can negatively impact overall clarity.

The upper-midrange (Hi-Mids) is typically referred to as the “presence” range—with most instruments and voices the overtones here can bring the part forward in the mix, which is described as adding presence. Accentuated frequencies in this range can help pull up a part in the mix, but too much can be harsh and peaky.

The highest frequency range (treble) is sometimes referred to as “air”. Most of what falls into this range is the upper overtones of bright instruments like cymbals and acoustic guitar, and some subtle ambience—a little boost up here can sometimes add a bit of openness, a.k.a. “air”.

 

CUT — up to 150hz 
It is common to do a hi-pass to get rid of the low end of the snare. It’s unnecessary and just clutters the space. 

BOOST —150-250hz
This is the body of the snare drum, boost to get more weight out of your snare drum.

CUT —500-800hz
This is the boxiness of the snare, when we cut it we get a little more clarity between the lows and the highs.

BOOST — 1500-4500hz
This is the brightness and snappy-ness of the snare drum. Boost to taste.

CUT – 4500 and above
This is the ringy sound of the snare. We can cut or put a lowpass to dampen it.

 

@audionoobie appreciate this guidance. I have a Loki on my kitchen system and have been thinking to try it out on the mains. Thanks for the encouragement. 
 

@soix morrow ICs, Belden 10AWG speaker wire. Primary Source is CDs and streaming through Marantz SA-KI Ruby 

If you think your system sounds great, you might try some better speaker cables. Whether they can give you what you want is a crapshoot. I have heard everything from no difference to system-changing, so I would recommend borrowing something from a local dealer or the cable company. I am a big fan or Audience AU24, but I also think that Purist is excellent, although much heavier. I’ve had Beldens and they worked great with some speakers and not with others. Definitely worth trying if you’re looking to bring out the best in what you have.