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Want More Bass

Got a new Rogue Audio tube amp and preamp. (88 and 66 magnum). Used to have a solid-state integrated that seemed to have more bass output. Now, with my speakers (and these components), I long for deeper bass. (My current speaker's bass response is rated at 50hz.) My previous experience with a tube integrated also seemed light in the bass at lower volumes. I listen more at lower volumes than at higher volumes.

So... what are my options:

1. find a new speaker that goes deeper? if so, what is recommended? Budget $3000 max. Needs to be a slim tower design due to room constraints. (Room is 11x17 and speakers are on the 17' wall. Music preference is mostly indie rock, small group jazz and electronica.)

2. add a sub? the preamp has two outs, so I could use interconnects from the preamp. if so, what is recommended. Budget for a sub would be sub $1500.

3. Other suggestions?

Thanks all for your help.
vertewax
s23chang
620 posts
 
Vertewax, You definitely need larger speakers if you want more bass at lower volumes. It's the physical property of the cone size and the cabinet design that is not going to provide you any more than the physical limitation. Try at least 10" bass driver. Proac response 2.5 has tons of bass. Even the KLH horn speakers or triangle speakers has good bass response. Try to audition larger floor standing speakers then you can fulfill your "bass" itch.
socrates
247 posts
 
It's the Rogue....
rsbeck
887 posts
 
Vertewax --

Please do this before you decide on your next speakers.

Contact Sumiko, who imports Sonus Faber, and find
out the Sonus Faber dealer nearest you. Listen to
that line of speakers, especially the "Grand Piano Home."

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/Contact.htm

Next, go to Madrigal's site, find out the Revel Dealer nearest you and listen to the F-30. (They have a dealer
locator where you load in your zip code).

http://www.madrigal.com/dealer/index.asp

Next, go to Monitor Audio's site and find out the nearest
Monitor Audio dealer -- they also have a dealer locator.

http://www.monitoraudiousa.com/dealers/index.html

Before buying your next speakers, listen to a lot of
different ones in and above your price range.

When you go into a dealer, tell them you are looking
at speakers between $3,000 -- $10,000. Listening to
high end speakers is the only way to get educated
and I believe it will help you appreciate the sound of
the speakers I am recommending for you to audition.

To my ear, speakers like the Sonus Faber Grand Piano
Homes sound very close to speakers I've heard going
for twice the price -- same with Revel F-30 and Monitor
Audio Gold Reference 60.

Another great thing about these speakers is that they
are very efficient, which means you won't need a
mammoth amplifier to get great sound from them,
but you can also grow into them when you want to
move up to a better amp -- they will only sound that
much better.

This way, you can avoid another all too common trap
I find on these audio web-sites. The guy who buys a
great speaker, then thinks it is crap because he
doesn't have the amp to drive them. Those kinds of
speakers are best left to folks on higher budgets who
can afford the types of amps necessary -- and it isn't
necessary to get a hard to drive speaker to get really great sound.
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