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Would like to get more bass out of my B&W 801 series 2 speakers

Hello,

I've been forum diving about ways people improve their music listening experience.   So many directions to choose from, I'm looking advice which will give the most bang for the buck given my situation.

Years ago I was visiting a friend who had these same exact speakers, and I went on a quest for my own pair.   His setup had a *more rich sound*, but he is no longer with us for me to pick his brain.   Don't know anything about how he was driving the speakers.

In general I think the current setup gives me good detailed sound, but probably a little thin in the bass.   Might be because of my listening levels (low to moderate).    I wouldn't call the mid/high frequencies warm, but they aren't harsh either...   which was a concern with the class D amp.   I'd characterize them as clean and detailed.  

What I'd really like to do is bring out the low frequencies to join the party.

 

 

Environment:
massive, 32x40 with vaulted ceilings.    Lots of windows.

Hardware:
B&W 801 S2
- on the original casters
- crossovers modified via the common Van Alstine mod 
NAD C298 amplifier
- some decent biwire speaker cables
NAD C658 streaming DAC 
-  balanced xlr interconnects
Rotel CD player

 

What I listen to:
I listen to a wide assortment of music, this morning I went from classical to jazz...   but usually I listen to rock/blues/reggae.   You name it I listen to it.

 


 

Things I have considered:

- buy/build stands for the speakers.
- try out different amp(s)
        there are a pair of GFA555 series 1 available locally (bi-amp?) 
        lots of folks recommend the Classe delta line

 

 

 

Any advice is welcome, thanks in advance!

chessie
rick_n's avatar
rick_n
231 posts
 

The Adcom GFAs (aka GreatF&ckingAmp) were good in the day but they are very, very old and would need to be recapped etc.  Is it worth it?  Will they be reliable?  Questionable at best.  Look for something more modern, and good bang for the buck, like a Hegel H30 or better yet the H30A.  Should be plenty of power and pair well with your excellent speakers.  

jond's avatar
jond
5,891 posts
 

How was the bass before you modded the crossover? Also your room looks very difficult lots of reflective surfaces. BTW what's that big speaker in the right hand corner?

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,453 posts
 

Have you tried closing the drapes and seeing if the bass improves?

hillbilly559
33 posts
 

How about integrating a couple of subwoofers?

chessie OP
9 posts
 

The bass and overall clarity improved significantly with the modification in my opinion.     I did them one at a time and did A-B after the first was completed.

The big speaker in the right hand corner is a jbl 4648 that I introduced for the home theater.   It adds a lot of "mid bass" frequencies.   Right now I have the two systems completely seperate (2 channel vs HT).    I think the 801s have the potential to make good bass, and would rather not keep adding more big speakers :)

 

I am intrigued by the room treatment ideas, not sure how I would give a treatment to the vaulted ceiling?    I can certainly move them away from the wall some, and I have heard getting them up off the ground (with some stands) helps too.

I really don't sit in the chairs to listen, this is our "community room" and lots of time spent there working around the kitchen/island.

 

 

I will try moving them away from the wall, closing the drapes, and maybe nocking together some short stands out of 4x4s.   I have read that they like to come up around 3-4 inches.

 

thanks for the input!

 

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