2. misc-audio
  3. 1194904673

Bass--How much is too much?

I have been into this hobby for over 25 years and have many many systems, amps, speakers, etc, and the one common thing they all had was that low end bass was either non-existant or was very subtle. It seems with most high end systems, the goal is mid-range purity over the amount of low-end energy. In the past, I have had systems tweaked to the point which vocals were rich that brought on emotional connections with the music, but without low-end bass energy, which can bring on a physical connection as well.

My system uses the Celestion SL700 SE speakers with the Celestion SL6000 Subwoofer system. Listening to this set-up, I have so much low-end energy which I have never had in the past 25 years. The low-end is clean, it does not distort the Mid-range purity.

I am a member of the Bay Area Audiophile society and through there have been able to listen to a considerable number of other peoples systems. None of them had systems with bass which could be phyiscally felt, none had a subwoofer. Bass notes could be heard and localized, but not felt.

I guess my point is, that I have grown accustomed to high-end systems which bass was merely used to subtly fill in the gap. I keep asking myself if my set-up now with loads of bass which i can feel is wrong. I have had a few other audiophiles come over and listen and they too are not accustomed to the amount of low-end energy which my Celestion 6000 subs put out.

I have heard many audiophiles mention that because of the huge problems integrating a sub into a 2 channel setup, they tend to not use a sub, is this the reason why many forgo the search to integrate low end bass into their systems?
128x128justlisten
rwd
695 posts
 
I'll make this simple....pop over to your local concert hall and buy a ticket to say....a large scale orchestra playing something with deep bass. Say, Rachmaninoff "Symphonic Dances". The tell me if you "feel" the bass.

I'd like to hear from all who attend concerts on what they hear. This should be an interesting thread.

Rick (RWD)
tarsando
578 posts
 
Kettle drums in concert I can sometimes "feel". Large string bass sections playing deep bass in the concert hall, no. The average symphony, I hear it, I don't "feel" the low notes.
jp1208
502 posts
 
The key is not to cancel any bass notes from the mains. Room acoustics has a lot to do with this balancing act. I like feeling a kick drum hit me in the chest without cancelling any musical notes. I believe this can be measured and corrected but I have not tried it. (www.softwaredesign.com/index.h...
wwshull
157 posts
 
my system gives my bass when the music calls for it and the right kind. i get bass that hits you in the chest, the kind you can feel when it is suppose to be there. if i am listening to orchestral music it gives me the right kind of bass all the way to the bottom of the orchestra. anyone who gets a chance should audition these speakers or any made my this company. they will give you what you want
jmcgrogan2's avatar
jmcgrogan2
6,346 posts
 
I guess I'll jump in here with a different POV. So far, everyone seems to like chest thumping bass. Now, I admit in my younger years, that heart pounding bass was a top priority. However, now midrange clarity is my top priority. My speakers go down to about 25 hz, and I've never been a fan of seperate subwoofers while playing music. IMHO, the subs are great with HT, and speakers with integrated powered woofers can sound good with music. However, almost all systems I've heard with seperate subwoofers have the subwoofer turned up too loud. Yes, kick drums have a punch, but the seperate subwoofer allows you to emphasize that kick. If that's your 'thing' that's fine. Most seperate sub owners over-emphasize bass though. This can 'over-power' some midrange music, which can ruin the sound for me. There are a lot of recordings where they already have the EQ up on the bass, so I don't feel the need to raise it even more.
IMHO, if you have a seperate sub, you should not hear it.
Yes, it will add to the bass, but quietly, not calling attention to itself.

All that being said, if you enjoy the extra bass, turn the subwoofer up and don't worry what your other 'audiophile' friends think. :)

Cheers,
John
More to discover