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Can IC's and Speaker Wire drastically affect bass?

Hello All: I'm very sorry for the long post. But I need input!
My System: McIntosh MA6900 Integrated (Flavor4 PC); Simaudio Nova CDP (Chimera AdvantageII IC/Flavor4 PC) plugged into Shunyata Hydra4 w/Copperhead PC; Definitive Technology BP 7002 speakers (Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker cable; FIM outlets

Listen to mostly Classic Jazz, some R&B and Progressive Rock

Room: Family Room (rectangular shape) Dimensions: 10ftx20ftby8ft
Speakers are near one of the short walls (brick fireplace) about 6 feet apart and 2 feet from the corners-but I tried closer to the corners and the bass improvement was not that substantial.

Speakers are full range towers with 12in. subwoofers coupled to two 12" infrasonic radiators./300watt amplifiers
Freq. Response: 15 Hz-30 kHz Efficiency: 92 db

These speakers are supposed to rock big bass: all the reviews and the owners reviews say so. But even when I turn up the bass level control past 12 o'clock on the sub amps the bass does not kick like it should. When I turn up the level controls past on o'clock the bass should be really kicking; it doesn't Even when I put my ear near the subs it just isn't putting out the bass spl's as expected. Since these speakers have powered subs, I had them checked at the dealer and they're OK. In fact, they sounded pretty good connected up to a Denon receiver.

I've tried Anthem, then Marsh and now McIntosh electronics and changed from a Jolida JD100 source to the Sim Nova. I added Analysis Plus Oval 9 speaker wire a while back in search of more low end too. The one constant throughout all the changes has been the Chimera Advantage IC's.

I've spoken to Steve at Cable Pro and he has suggested twice that I try changing out various IC's and possibly PC's as well. He's not familiar with the Flavor4. (I have a JPS AC+ that I tried on my amps but it did not have an affect on the bass so I went with the Flavor4)Steve suggested I try the JPS again. He's also mentioned that the Analysis Plus can work very well in some systems but when it doesn't work it lacks bass.

Question: can changing IC's and speaker cable really change the character of a speakers bass power that much? Would I be better off just selling the speakers for some different bass mongers?

I'm willing to try Cable Pro but I'm also seriously considering some Ohm speakers. Want that bass from a full range speaker! And I'm no longer interested in trying subs. If I go with speakers, a home audition is a must. Your input would be appreciated! Thanks
foster_9
pmotz
412 posts
 
I'm not familiar with the gear you have, but from a general sense are you sure you have everything hooked up properly? The powered sub could be an issue. If it is not a hook up issue you could have a serious room issue that is absorbing the more noticeable frequency ranges in the bass. If you have a sound level meter, the Radio Shack one will work fine for this, I would check out the frequency response to see if the reduced output is across the bass range or in select frequencies. If it is select frequencies it is a room issue, if it is across the bass range then it probably is a component issue. You could try moving the speaker around if it is a room issue, that can make a huge difference. I really doubt that the cables would make that signifcant a difference, though you could eliminate that possibility by borrowing some from a local dealer or a fellow audiophile. Good luck!
tigermtn
18 posts
 
Seems rather a puzzler. I very much doubt that cabling changes will take you from no bass to mucho bass.

Random thought, don't be offended that I asked, but are these speakers set up for bi-wiring? Is there any chance that you're just running your speaker cables into the top end and there's nothing feeding the bottom?
philbrady
89 posts
 
I have that amp and have no problem with bass performance. In fact I think it is a major strength. Make sure the amp is directly plugged into the wall rather than conditioner. I use kimber hero and am very pleased with bass performance. I have heard your speakers through ht receiver and thought they provided very good bass. If you do not have the sub hooked up with the sub out feature on amp then try it. I have a subwoofer hooked up this way but rarely use it because my current speakers provide adequate bass response. Not familiar with your interconnects.
tpsonic
1,092 posts
 
It sounds like you are having problems loading the room or phase related issues with the subs.You must realize that it takes a certain length of room to establish low-frequencies.If the room is not long enough,it is virtually impossible for the wavelength to form.If the woofer is close to the floor,it can be absorbed or over damped by carpeting/floor material.IMHO,it is better to reflect/diffuse the wave-front,then to try and absorb it with soft materials.This generally leads to a soundstage with fewer height clues and softened dynamics.
stehno
1,453 posts
 
Absotively, posilutely, the cables will affect the quality of bass. Especially since sone to many middle-of-the-road and even higher-end cables induce much time smear.

Still, the overall quality of bass reproduction is even more related to the type and quality of amplification that controls (or doesn't control) the woofers.

-IMO
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