More bass from bookshelf speakers

[Tibor]

   I want to replace my KEF IQ 3 speakers, because has not enough bass for me. I have no space for floorstander speakers in my room, so I looking for a bass-heavy, but refined bookshelf speaker. I listen mainly classical music with NAD cd player and amp.
Which speaker can you recommend for me(the price should be under 300)

 -Wharfedale Pacific EVO 2 10
- Monitor Audio Bronze 2
- Wharfedale Diamond 9.2
- Canton Ergo 602

  Thank you for advice

 

[Anonymous]

Shame you can't go for floorstanders The KEF IQ5SE has plenty of bass if a tad out of price range.

You mentioned bookshelf - I assume your current speakers are actually on stands? It does make a huge difference.

 

[Anonymous]

I would suggest auditioning a sub with your speakers too as it will give you a warmer and heavier sound. They're quite well suited to classical as they can handle big swings with a lot of low-end grunt. Plus you can tune it to your room according to the placement and listening requirements.

Just a thought.

 

[Thaiman]

Classical music with NAD system, look no further...

Usher 520

 

[gpi]

What are your Kefs sitting on?

Get the best s/h sub you can afford, not a cheap one, so it doesn't make one note rude noises in the corner.

 

[Anonymous]

I would say the Wharfedale EVO2 10s, but the NAD is quite a laid back amplifier (but that's good for classical) but as Thaiman said, Usher do some gems of speakers (but check the colour isn't an issue, because black is the only standard colour...or so it used to be...you used to have to pay more for the more vibrant alternatives.)

 

[Tibor]

Thank you for reply, I used my KEF IQ 3 on stand ,theyÿareÿgoodÿspeakers,ÿbutÿbassÿhasÿnoÿrealÿimpact,ÿandÿtheÿKEfÿisÿonÿtheÿbrightÿsideÿofÿneutralÿ(justÿaÿbit). I think the subwofer compromiteÿthe soundstage, it is used mainly for disco music.I suppose Usher can be good for my tastes, I will try it.

 

[gpi]

For more bass oomph you need to be looking at a beefier amp, not speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

Tibor:it is used mainly for disco music.

Why didn't you say?! Look no futher than Wharfedale E50s! (ok, they are getting on a bit these days!)

 

[gpi]

Hughes123:Tibor:it is used mainly for disco music.

Why didn't you say?! Look no futher than Wharfedale E50s! (ok, they are getting on a bit these days!)

I think he means subs are mainly used for disco music. Apparently he doesn't own a white suit.

Oh and none of those amps (edit: speakers even) listed in the OP's opening post will give any more bass than what he has already.

 

[Anonymous]

Tibor:I think the subwofer compromite the soundstage
Nope, it'll improve the sound balance and richness.

 

[Anonymous]

gpi:For more bass oomph you need to be looking at a beefier amp, not speakers.

That would very much depend on which NAD amp the OP is using. TBH even their mid range amps are quite capable of rattling windows and vibrating the floor with the right speakers.

 

[Anonymous]

welshboy:
gpi:For more bass oomph you need to be looking at a beefier amp, not speakers.

That would very much depend on which NAD amp the OP is using. TBH even their mid range amps are quite capable of rattling windows and vibrating the floor with the right speakers.

That's no idle claim people!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5FCjxFM46zs&fmt=18

 

[Anonymous]

Wow, those Cerwin Vega's are easier to drive than I thought they'd be. Bet they sound likeÿdiarrhea though.

 

[Tibor]

I want to say the KEF IQ 3 has a suficient amount of bass for classical music, but lackÿofÿwarmthÿandÿbass impactÿÿmakeÿthisÿspeakersÿlightweight and brightÿ(justÿaÿbit)ÿsoundingÿcomparedÿÿwithÿWharfedalesÿandÿQuads.ÿ ItÿisÿpossibleÿthatÿtheÿKefÿaluminium twenterÿisÿbrightÿcomparedÿwithÿWarfedalesÿsilkÿdomeÿtwenter.
I do not want to change my amp. or cd player, I listenÿclassical music at low or moderate sound level, I have no space for subwofer, my amp. has no subwofer conectivity.
I think USHER 520 is very refined speaker, but aÿis a little speakersÿinÿdimension with light bass impactÿ compared with Wharfedale Evoÿ2ÿ10 or Diamond 9.2, isnt it?

 

[Anonymous]

I don't really associate warmth with the bass tones on any speaker. maybe you are finding the midrange a little to clinical for your tastes?

BTW I am not sure that NAD is the best choice for warmth either. I personally like NAD equipment very much but I don't think I would describe the sound as warm.

If you really want warm then maybe a valve amp is what you need.

 

[Anonymous]

Octopo:Wow, those Cerwin Vega's are easier to drive than I thought they'd be. Bet they sound likeÿdiarrhea though.

The reason they sound like diarrehea is because they cause it when you turn them up, I would expect!

And as for warmth, you should check out the Wharfedale EVO2 10s - they are lovely and cosy and warm (I have their big brothers) and if you add a nice sub (such as the REL Quake) you'll hit the 30hz with ease.

 

[gpi]

welshboy:
gpi:For more bass oomph you need to be looking at a beefier amp, not speakers.

That would very much depend on which NAD amp the OP is using. TBH even their mid range amps are quite capable of rattling windows and vibrating the floor with the right speakers.

I was talking about bass impact, not how low it will go.

 

[Anonymous]

gpi:welshboy:

gpi:For more bass oomph you need to be looking at a beefier amp, not speakers.

That would very much depend on which NAD amp the OP is using. TBH even their mid range amps are quite capable of rattling windows and vibrating the floor with the right speakers.

I was talking about bass impact, not how low it will go.

What is bass impact exactly? (Serious question) We may be talking about the same thing. I assume you are talking about the ability to "feel" the bass in the room?

 

[gpi]

Put simply, the difference between the presentation of my 95 wpc budget Marantz and a 100 wpc Bel Canto digital amp. Even with both feeding the same standmounts the difference is very noticeable in the bass impact area, i.e. kick drums and bass slam (for want of a better word).

I just feel that with classical music or with any genre, more bass oomph cannot be obtained by only changing the speakers. The amplification should be considered also. It is not simply about volume either but the quality of the watts.

 

[gpi]

Tibor:I want to say the KEF IQ 3 has a suficient amount of bass for classical music, but lackÿofÿwarmthÿandÿbass impactÿÿmakeÿthisÿspeakersÿlightweight and brightÿ(justÿaÿbit)ÿsoundingÿcomparedÿÿwithÿWharfedalesÿandÿQuads.ÿ ItÿisÿpossibleÿthatÿtheÿKefÿaluminium twenterÿisÿbrightÿcomparedÿwithÿWarfedalesÿsilkÿdomeÿtwenter.
I do not want to change my amp. or cd player, I listenÿclassical music at low or moderate sound level, I have no space for subwofer, my amp. has no subwofer conectivity.
I think USHER 520 is very refined speaker, but aÿis a little speakersÿinÿdimension with light bass impactÿ compared with Wharfedale Evoÿ2ÿ10 or Diamond 9.2, isnt it?

Tibor, can you loan a pair of Wharfdale 9.2s and see if they give you more of what you are after? I am 100 per cent sure they will give you a slightly different presentation, that's all. The change you are proposing is not large enough to make any significant difference IMO.

 

[Anonymous]

gpi:Put simply, the difference between the presentation of my 95 wpc budget Marantz and a 100 wpc Bel Canto digital amp. Even with both feeding the same standmounts the difference is very noticeable in the bass impact area, i.e. kick drums and bass slam (for want of a better word).

I just feel that with classical music or with any genre, more bass oomph cannot be obtained by only changing the speakers. The amplification should be considered also. It is not simply about volume either but the quality of the watts.
Damping factor of the amp will play a role in the bass presentation it gives. My Rotel is quite high at about 180, valve amps being the opposite end of the scale. Might be worth considering this if you change amp.

 

[Anonymous]

gpi:the quality of the watts.

I am really struggling with this concept. Must be to do with the fact I only have standard issue ears so I can't hear these subtlties.

 

[Tibor]

I think is very hard to describe what is bass impact, I mean not only deeper in frequency.
There are speakers with decent amount of low bass (at their size), but the overly bright twenter make them sounding like have not enough bass. In my opinion this is the case at Kef IQ 3ÿ(clinicalÿsoundingÿspeakerÿforÿmeÿ) I think the only solution can be a floorstander, but I have not enough space or a big standamount speakerÿlikeÿWharfedaleÿDiamondÿ9.3ÿ. I have NAD C 325 amp and NADÿ515ÿBEÿcdÿplayer,ÿveryÿgoodÿforÿmyÿtastes

 

[gpi]

welshboy:
gpi:the quality of the watts.

I am really struggling with this concept. Must be to do with the fact I only have standard issue ears so I can't hear these subtlties.

It's not subtle. Anyway...