Taut bass?

[plastic penguin]

Out of curiosity, at what stage does a pacey, tight bass response become sterile and uninvolving? Some years ago I heard a Cyrus system and it had all the virtues - and confirmed reviewers findings - and although it had very good rhythmic snap. However, the lower mid-range and upper bass, in particular, sounded rather uninteresting.

This is general question, and not aimed at Cyrus.

Any thoughts?

 

[Big Chris]

Like most issues of this type, it'll depend entirely on the individual's tastes and preferences.

I'm a big fan of a bit of weight and welly behind the music, but I don't like it to boom (The reason I ditched my floorstanders of years gone for the B&Ws). I can have the music playing for hours and never tire of it.

There'll be as many people who revel in a crisp and detailed sound, and who would probably listen to my system and think it was lethargic. And I'd listen to theirs and think it was harsh.

Diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks......

 

[plastic penguin]

Course everyone has individual tastes and take on what makes a good sound. Like you, I like some grunt (although I wouldn't class myself as a 'bass head'), just wondering whether there's a point in an amp or speakers or CDP where the bass is so tight it becomes sterile and thin?

 

[Anonymous]

For me personally as soon as I unable to feel the bass as opposed to just hear it, then it's a very shallow weak representation of the music. I think this is especially important when you are listening to something which isn't meant to have a clear bass response and yet you aren't able to appreciate that. I find it ironic that people can champion the integrity of some speakers or amp and yet it's obvious simply from looking at the bass response readings, that it doesn't contain any notable bass and therefore can't be an honest presentation of lots of genres. I think I am going to really struggle to find a better balance between bass and midrange depth and detail than the one I have now, unless I spend a great deal of money.