Budget Strategies forTightening up Bass?

Yes, well, if the speakers are too close to corners or rear wall, definitely try moving them out away from corners and rear wall. That should ease up the bass.

Once the speakers are located for best sound , then you can assess if anything else is still needed from there.

I will explore all suggestions. Although I have only so much flexibility to move speakers, there is some wiggle room. I've e-mailed Alan Yun at Silverline and will get to work experimenting with room treatments and footers first before moving on to wire, amps. Thanks to all!

Not to sound contrarian, I think the sub IS the best bang for the buck (short of repositioning the speakers, if that does the trick) to solve your problem.

There are several great subs in the budget price range by Hsu, PSB, SVS, etc.

Also, I've never found EL34-based amps to ever have extreme control over bass. It's not their strength. But the midrange is usually very good. Work to the amp's strength, and let the sub take care of its weakness.

Just my 2 cents.

Michael

Is your floor a suspended wood floor? Can you get under it?

If yes to both, the biggest thing you can do to improve the bass is to brace the floor.

I have two 12' long 4x4s running front to back, (13' deep room) about 5' apart, perpendicular to the joists, held up by 4 of those height-adjustable basement support posts.

I have since added a layer of 3/4" plywood on top of the original floor (w/ Green glue in between.

Everything I do the the floor makes the sound so much better. I know that I could not have the sound I do now had I not braced the floor. Absolutely essential.

-Mike