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Proac owners......advice please

I am runinng an all solid state Electrocompaniet system; DMB 120, 4.7 Pre & EMC MKII. I recently purchased a pair of Proac 2.5's.

I will tell you that the speakers now have about fifty hours on them. Cabling is all Nordost Red Dawn at this time. The room size is approx 17'x 24', with a 12' cathedral ceiling. The good; we have big sound stage, we have wonderful mid range with very good rhythm & pace. Please play the Dixie Chicks again!
The not so good; The bass gets dominant from time to time. I won't say that it's boomy; it's like blowing a low note through an empty paper towel holder. The highs or vocals during the playback are just not on the same level when this happens, & my ear goes straight to the bass. I might add that the vocals could be a little smoother. Maybe my room is the problem? Maybe the speakers need more break-in time?
Before I consider room treatments & the likem,has anyone experienced a similar situation or could you suggest a different cabling option? I am fairly new at high end passion...so I really need someone that is famliar with these speakers or has owned solid state with the Proac's- what have you done to get the best possible sound out of them?
I know many of many of you state that Proac's sound is the best with tubes --and ARC is also a great match. I did try an ARC LS 16 pre this week with my amp, but the match wasn't that great. I do think that I would like to stay with solid state for a while, but I am hoping that you can make suggestions about how to achieve a better sound quality with my current components or alternatives that will enhance it. Thanks!
ronkng
alcides
44 posts
 
It's probably your room. I have the same issue with my 2.5's. No matter where I moved them, I could not get rid of the bass boom without room treatment. Bass traps is what it took. I lean 2 down-sleeping bags in their stuff sacks up against the inside of each speaker. That plus some other traps in the corners finaly tamed the bass. I think it's the combination of a rear port tuned so low, plus it's hight withnin the speaker cabinet that causes so many problems. I'm starting to think that the best solution will be getting a pair of subs, and crossing over the 2.5's from 80HZ down.
ronkng OP
12 posts
 
All of you have been very helpful. I am hoping that continous playing time will change things for the better. At your suggestions, I am currently doing a 5-disc player marathon.

Interesting Alcides has had a similar experience with his 2.5's. The worst case I feel at this time is that if the bass does not get better in time, I may be able to somewhat tame it. I put in an old pair of Audio Quest Topaz rca interconnects on last night & it did bring the bass more in line with the rest of the music.

My next direction in time will be to try different interconnects if the system does not improve & stay away from silver. I did try Kimber Select balanced 1130's a couple of weeks ago. Great cables, it really brought out the individual instuments on the recording but also tightened up the base & made it even more pronounced than it already was.

I am still trying to avoid the room treatments at this point. The wife acceptance factor! I can hear her now " And where do you think those are supposed to go?"
rg
18 posts
 
interesting thread, I have the exact same issue with my 2.5's. I found that placement made a difference, but ultimately I think I'll eventually break down and get a couple of good traps to solve this. I am surprised you didnt like the ls-16. I use it with a quad of mullards, along with the 100.2, and SR resolution reference bi-wire and balanced connects. I have been thorougly pleased with this set up. The last piece to the puzzle for my system was an Audio Magic Stealth plc, and it made a huge difference, everywhere, including tighter bass. Nothing's perfect, but all things considered, these 2.5's strike the best balance of any speaker I have ever heard. Keep working on break in, allow plenty of space around them, and experiment with your listening position front to back. I find that certain bass nodes will be more/less pronounced depending upon where I sit
Rg
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drubin
3,274 posts
 
I have 2.5's in a room exactly the same size as yours. I have no problems with bass dominance and vocals are exceedingly smooth. However, I find the bass a bit loose and not entirely easygoing--it always sounds like the speakers are having to work hard to deliver serious bass (I get usable bass down to the mid- to high-20's in my room).

I have the speakers on the long wall, about 10' apart, which I generally prefer. My advice is to not get caught up in chasing cables and interconnects to solve your problem, at least not yet. Be patient with break-in and experiment with placement. I'm sure it will work out for you. Oh, do you have the spikes in?
whknopp0713
179 posts
 
These are all good responses. You may find that serious room treatment is what you need. ASC products are not cheap, but they were worth every nickel to me and my room boom problem. There are also some DIY knockoffs if you're inclined that way. I also suggest upgrading the speaker stand. Proac uses that wide plinth and meager spikes. Check out the thread on Sistrum platforms. I also looked into Mana Acoustics, which has a reputation for tightening loose bass.
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