Please help me tame the bass beast


I own the Joseph Audio RM50si's which go all the way down to 20Hz. My preamp is the Classe SSP-75 and the amp is the Classe CAV-150. CD is Sony SCD 777. The 75 does not have controls to turn down the bass level. What can I do accoustically to eliminate such an annoying rumble in the mid bass. I moved them around the room but nothing seemed to really make a difference. Is the problem the amp or the speakers or the room. I have read reviews on this site and people seem to think Classe amps deliver a lot of muddy bass. The low bass frequencies seem to be okay, it is really the mid bass that is the problem. If I sit really close it is better but not great. What can I do?? My room is rectangular 18x12. Please offer me some suggestions. They are great speakers except for this problem.
musicmannj
subwoofers. they will work well, even w/full-range speakers. they will allow you to place your main speakers optimally for image & soundstage w/o regard to bass response - use the sub(s) for that. my subs were effective even w/my old thiel 3.5's, which were rated -2db @ 20hz. passive subs (i like vmps) an active x-over like a marchand xm-9, will allow for a seamless blend w/most any monitor, full-range or otherwise...

one caveat - your room may perhaps be a bit small for a truly full-range speaker, & even optimally locating a sub may not help. i also suggest you look into some sound-treatment, like tube-traps, etc...

doug s.

I don't know what you could do acoustically that wouldn't take a lot of trial and error on your part. But you could probably fix the problem easily via a digital processor like the low-cost Behringer 8024, or a more expensive TacT product like the RCS 2.0. If I were in your shoes, those are the options that I'd be considering. Good luck!
I wonder what stands do you use if any. I have Totem Forest speakers that are standing on the 3/4"MDF platform with their original ball-feet and the platform is placed on the vibrapods. That setup brings more natural bass and eliminates floor resonance.

The floor resonance might be your problem.
I agree with Plate. In my mind, you have 3 options:
1) Get a Tact room correction unit. It works exactly as advertised.
2) Try positioning the speakers along the opposite wall they are on now (ie if on short wall now, put them along the long wall).
3) If they are ported, try stuffing the ports with something like dacron, etc
As an aside, I am sure Mr Joseph could help you out as well. Best of luck.
Musicmannj

From your room dimensions it appears as though you might have a standing wave problem. This occurs when 2 dimensions of the room are equally divisible (usually the parallel walls in-front and behind your speakers). Standing waves create bass 'hotspots' where bass frequencies are in phase, and pockets where bass frequencies are out of phase.

If your listening position seats you 'in' or at the high point of in-phase standing wave you hear double the volume of the effected frequency(ies). Conversely if you were to seat yourself at the low point where the standing wave is out of phase you would likely hear very little or nothing.

Your room isn't that large, so its my guess that you're getting a 'sympathetic resonance' from the drywall in your listening environment - a singular bloated bass region. And that THIS is probably a product of an in-phase standing wave.

What height is your ceiling in the room? ...If this too is divisible by the same common number you are unfortunately trying to make music the acoustic environment from hell.

If I'm correct the only practical thing (that I'm aware of - aside from digital room correction) is to calculate the standing wave frequencies, and see if you can eliminate them with bass tubes or other similar absorbers. Another (although less desirable IMHO) is to find the offending frequencies and modify your crossovers to compensate for your room issues. This could be done by the speaker mnfr.

Any one else have a different diagnosis/suggestions...?

Good luck with it,
Mike