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Speakers with bass response?

I have a decent speaker system, BW N804's but they seem a little bass shy at times, so I tried adding a sub, to see the difference. First; the BW asw500, real muddy at any volume, it's really designed for small HT, next was the BW asw1000, plenty of kick but no clarity or real "musicality", then I went up to their asw 2000, well, it occassionally added some musical low frequency, but muddy, and it seems to clip and pop at any volume. I wonder if I need different speakers to really get that bass I'm looking for, or will a good sub do it, or is it something else in my system?
Components: Classe CA300 amp, Classe cp50 pre-amp, pro-silway xlr interconnects, BW N.804's and the weak link: Technics CD.
joeb
joeb
blkadr
739 posts
 
Are you running the b&ws full range? If you dont get the blend from main to sub right it can cause boom or ill defined bass even from a good sub. If you are not using the high pass for the mains you may have to set the low pass lower than you might think. Also, phase is important. That said, I am thinking of upgrading my sub and the right path is not easy to figure out. Im considering everything from a compact (relatively) folded horn to a pair of moderately compact sealed cabinet subs. Good luck.
buckingham
333 posts
 
I was in your position a couple of months ago. I had some B&W bookshelf speakers and wasn't happy with the bass response. Get an all-in one box speaker, don't go the sub route. You will be happier with stereo bass than just a sub. There are tonnes of great speakers in the 804 price range that have great bass and will kill the 804. Check the forums for speaker threads.
sugarbrie
3,854 posts
 
Buying a cheap sub with the N804s kind of defeats the purpose of buying good speakers. (Cheap bass sound) A REL Storm III or better is really needed.
dnlyko
26 posts
 
Sell the N and pick up Matrix 802 Series 3 for around 2500.00. You will have your bass and save some money. Do not get a sub. A DAC may be money better spent or a Rega CD player. IMO
2001impala's avatar
2001impala
102 posts
 
If you like the general sound of the 804s it would be dumb to give them up. Other speakers may offer better bass response but they won't sound the same. Go with sagarbrie's suggestion and also loose the technics player. It's an injustice to your speakers.

Damon
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