Power amp or subwoofer?

[admin_exported]

Hi friends, would be great if you could please advise me. I am contemplating buying either a subwoofer or a power amplifier as an addition to my setup and cant seem to decide which would be a better option.

I have the CA740C and CA 740A combo connected via Chord Crimson interconnects between them and Mordaunt Short Mezzo 6's as speakers using chord silverscreen cables. I have had this setup for about 2 months now and the more i listen, the more i find myself yearning for a bolder, bigger soundstage and alot more bass. the current sound signature somehow seems thin and uninvolving. The details are there, but the amplifier just feels like it is unable to push the speakers hard enough to produce smooth rounded sound.

I was initially set on getting the subwoofer - MJ Acoustics Pro 50 Mk II sub or Velodyn Impact-10. Spoke to a friend and he suggested going the power amp route instead.

what should i do?

 

[Anonymous]

The sound you describe might just be a reflection of the character that goes with the cd player and amp you are using. Adding either of those options might simply be a waste of money. I'd definitely audition before investing.

 

[d_a_n1979]

Going down the power amp route may be an idea but it really only offers you a more open and detailed soundstage with better controlled bass and more detailed midrange/treble.

It WON'T offer you deeper, more powerful bass. That comes from the traits of the amp, source and speakers.

IMO you'd be best off either demo'ing other speakers (i.e. B&W 684's, B&W 683's, possibly the Monitor Audio RX6's etc...) and see how you get on with those before looking at a sub.

 

[True Blue]

Have you thought of using a Chord Chameleon I/C. Worth a punt, especially if you can pick one up second hand.

(Ducks for cover)

 

[drummerman]

I'd be inclined to get a subwoofer. It should add slam, scale and all the other hifi niceties you'd associate with a good one. It will also add body to voices. How far this will go to please you depends on what else you don't like about your system. When I tried the 840's I found them very good but perhaps not as fluent as some others. I used Mezzo 2's and have to say, there was plenty of bass for my tastes.

I use a version of the MJA Pro 50 you mention and it is great for music but it won't shake your floorboards. It's more on the fast side so try first if you decide to go that way.

 

[Anonymous]

monitor audio speakers for bass !

may be to much for me like but very heavy...

 

[matengawhat]

buy a sub - adding a power amp won't alter the bass much but everything will be better controlled but won't be any deeper

 

[JoelSim]

Yes a power amp is not called a power amp because it gives more bass, it doesn't.

 

[basshound]

silverdub:

I was initially set on getting the subwoofer - MJ Acoustics Pro 50 Mk II sub or Velodyn Impact-10. Spoke to a friend and he suggested going the power amp route instead.

what should i do?

If you go down the sub route also consider the BK Electrics range,more bang for your buck!

 

[bretty]

Sub. Definitely get a sub. Once set up correctly, a sub will transform your system in a way that replacing your speakers, or buying a new amp can't come near to. It'll add power to the low bass notes, but in addition brings a depth to the midrange, too. Rock/Metal becomes so much more foot-stomping, and classical, especially strings, gets a hefty dose of added realism.

I wish i'd bought mine sooner.

 

[ear]

I'd get standmounters and crank the volume up. for loud music I prefer standmounters to floorstanders

 

[Anonymous]

wow, guys thanks for all the replies especially around adding the power amp which could have been wrong step for me. I would audition the subs, including Bk electrics and see these work for me. i did think about replacing the speakers at one point, but since my mezzos are brand new, i was trying to make it work with them.

Thanks again everyone, really appreciate all the advice.

 

[bretty]

welcome to the forum, by the way!