Yamaha RX-V1800 and weak bass in 2-channel stereo mode

[JDawg]

I suppose when it comes to speakers you do get what you pay for. I paid $1000 for them and they gave me the center channel speaker as part of the deal too. Maybe its time to start looking for new speakers. I really like Definitive Technology speakers but they're way too expensive for me. Oh well if my speakers really are the problem I guess its time to start saving for new ones.

 

[PENG]

If you enjoy music (especially classical and jazz), then you do need better speakers.

 

[Lordoftherings]

And if you're like me and love the Blues, you definitively need new speakers.

* By the way, what speakers are you using?





Bob

 

[3db]

Mornin Bob.

The blues eh?...I new there was something about you I liked.!!

I'm a blues fanatic rapidly growing by blues collection.

And if you're like me and love the Blues, you definitively need new speakers.

* By the way, what speakers are you using?

Bob

 

[JDawg]

And if you're like me and love the Blues, you definitively need new speakers.

* By the way, what speakers are you using?





Bob

Good morning everybody! I'm using JBL ND310ii Northridge speakers. Luckily they sound pretty good I think for movies but I guess maybe in reality they sound not as good since I've never heard how better speakers would sound. Just out of curiosity what speakers are all you guys using?

 

[no. 5]

Of course that could be from the way two receivers sound and maybe the Yamaha is a little weaker in bass.

It is possible, but I would be surprised if they sounded significantly different in a fair comparison.

So maybe its possible that maybe my JBL speakers just aren't capable of putting out good bass?

Very possible, JBL just claims the low frequency extension to be 37Hz, but provides no anechoic response data to verify that claim.

Even if low frequency cancellation was the problem shouldn't I still hear lots more bass just by moving up closer to the speakers or another spot in the room?

If the problem was solely from room effects, yes.

I already experimented with this and I do notice depending on where I am in the room I do get more bass but it still feels like its lacking a bit depending on the music.

It may very well be weak bass response from the speakers.

Bass response starts dropping below 115Hz, and is 10 - 15dB down where most music has it's low frequency content, that will definitively make the bass sound a bit weak.

 

[billy p]

JDawg I've followed this thread and I can't offer any more advice...but FWIW I switched from a Denon 3805 to my Yammy and there was little to no difference in SQ. Just a thought have you tried going back to the old receiver to ensure there're no anomalies with whats going on?

Regards, Bill...

 

[JDawg]

Well I think its looking like it was a problem with my speakers the whole time since no.5 also seems to be thinking the same thing. I don't have my Onkyo anymore since I sold a long time ago. Its been a long time since I heard how music sounded with the Onkyo and maybe I just think it had more bass. Or maybe I'm just so used to hearing music with good bass in my car or from my computer speakers that when I finally went back to listening to 2 channel music on my Yamaha the lack of bass became even more noticeable.

billy p, I noticed that you're using Energy RC30 as front speakers and the LCR as the center speaker. How do you like them so far? I was actually thinking of taking a look at the RC70's in the store to see how they sound.

 

[billy p]

billy p, I noticed that you're using Energy RC30 as front speakers and the LCR as the center speaker. How do you like them so far? I was actually thinking of taking a look at the RC70's in the store to see how they sound.

The 70's IMO are a complete speaker because they're a true 3 way design that separate themselves from the 50's or 30's because of the independant mid range. The LCR is a very dynamic and detailed CC IMO and it employs the same design as the 70's. The 70's can be had for less than 50% off retail and if your room can accommodate their wide dispersion than go for it, otherwise the 30's should be fine. I wish they were that price when I was shopping...

Regards, Bill

 

[PENG]

The RC70 should have good in room response down to 35 Hz.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Mornin Bob.
The blues eh?...I new there was something about you I liked.!!
I'm a blues fanatic rapidly growing by blues collection.

I do love Blues, but I also love Jazz and Classical equally.
My favorite instrument is the piano.

Good morning everybody! I'm using JBL ND310ii Northridge speakers. Luckily they sound pretty good I think for movies but I guess maybe in reality they sound not as good since I've never heard how better speakers would sound. Just out of curiosity what speakers are all you guys using?

Hey JDawg, I was just kidding about speakers. I thought that you would have figure that one out quite easily.

I'm sure your speakers are just fine. I doubt that you need better speakers.
If you want to have great sound from your JBL Northridge ND310II loudspeakers, just put a good CD recording of high quality (don't put that crap from the 80's).

Everybody is using different speakers, it's a question of taste, money availability, conviction, principle, belief, set of ears, listening habit, room size, appearance (cosmetics), type of music, type of speaker, small bookshelf monitor or large floorstanding model preference, what's available near you, and tons of other reasons like these.
>> My main loudspeakers (floorstanding) are over 20 years old, and made in Canada, designed by Ian Paisly, a famous Canadian speaker designer. They are called Image Concept 200, and have useful bass extension to 22hz in my room (flat to 28hz).<<

* Your speakers are only as good as the source you feed them (garbage recordings in, garbage out).

 

[JDawg]

Hey JDawg, I was just kidding about speakers. I thought that you would have figure that one out quite easily.

I'm sure your speakers are just fine. I doubt that you need better speakers.
If you want to have great sound from your JBL Northridge ND310II loudspeakers, just put a good CD recording of high quality (don't put that crap from the 80's).

* Your speakers are only as good as the source you feed them (garbage recordings in, garbage out).

You're probably right in that my speakers are fine and that they're not defective in any way. They do sound good as long as I let the sub handle all the bass. Now i'm just wondering what I'm missing out on if I did have better speakers. So I'm trying to resist the upgrade bug because buying a new set of speakers is expensive.

 

[Lordoftherings]

Good matching set of bookshelf speakers with the right sub.

You're probably right in that my speakers are fine and that they're not defective in any way. They do sound good as long as I let the sub handle all the bass. Now i'm just wondering what I'm missing out on if I did have better speakers. So I'm trying to resist the upgrade bug because buying a new set of speakers is expensive.

Well, some people use some small bookshelf monitor speakers with a good sub, and they're totally satisfied. So your best bet is to try integrating your sub with your speakers, and work your way up from there.

Is your sub any good?

There are some inexpensive subs now that integrate very well with a good number of speakers.
You don't have to spend a lot for good sound.

* A pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 20 speakers with a good quality SVS sub (SB12-Plus), and you got premium sound at a reasonable price.
Just go to a store to listen to them, and if you like what you hear, then shop around for a good price on a pair. Match them with that inexpensive good sub, and you're in heaven of audio nirvana.

Cheers,

Bob

 

[JDawg]

I have a SVS 20-39PC Plus cylinder sub. I spent a lot of time experimenting with it last weekend to find the best locations for it in my room. I think I finally got it integrated with my main speakers and music sounds better than before.

The Paradigm Studio 20's look nice but I'm not sure how small speakers like that would sound in my room. I think the Studio 60 or 100 speakers might be more suitable for my room but I would have to take a look at them in the store if I ever did decide to get new speakers.

 

[Lordoftherings]

I have a SVS 20-39PC Plus cylinder sub. I spent a lot of time experimenting with it last weekend to find the best locations for it in my room. I think I finally got it integrated with my main speakers and music sounds better than before.

The Paradigm Studio 20's look nice but I'm not sure how small speakers like that would sound in my room. I think the Studio 60 or 100 speakers might be more suitable for my room but I would have to take a look at them in the store if I ever did decide to get new speakers.

All right, you already own a nice SVS sub.
And I'm glad to hear that you did some serious experimenting to integrate it best with your speakers. Eureka!, you seem to have found a suitable spot.

If your sub is good, you don't need large speakers, the Studio 20 have good bass extension to about 35hz, and with useable bass to about 30hz.

But if you want to get a pair of Paradigm Reference Studio 100 V5, be my guest. With these baby, you won't need a sub anymore (well, sort of), but be prepare to invest in a very good power amp, as they need a lot of power to sing at their just value. They are quite demanding as far as power is concern. Trust me.

But the Studio 20s with a good sub is all you need, trust me again, unless your room is HUGE.

 

[JDawg]

Moving that sub around and crawling all over the floor was harder than I thought lol. Ok it wasn't that hard but it was worth the effort.

My room is about 27 x 15 x 8 feet and half of that is my living room and the other half is the kitchen. The kitchen also opens up to a hallway but otherwise I don't think my room is that huge. Anyways I don't think I'm going to get new speakers yet now that everything sounds good with my sub setup the best as i can. I'll keep the Studio 20's in mind though if and when I do decide to get new speakers. Thanks again for your useful suggestions and everyone else on here for your help!

 

[Lordoftherings]

Bravo!

Moving that sub around and crawling all over the floor was harder than I thought lol. Ok it wasn't that hard but it was worth the effort.

My room is about 27 x 15 x 8 feet and half of that is my living room and the other half is the kitchen. The kitchen also opens up to a hallway but otherwise I don't think my room is that huge. Anyways I don't think I'm going to get new speakers yet now that everything sounds good with my sub setup the best as i can. I'll keep the Studio 20's in mind though if and when I do decide to get new speakers. Thanks again for your useful suggestions and everyone else on here for your help!

That's nice of you to share with us, and I'm glad that you're making positive results. See, that was a nice tip, the crawling on your knees trick.

When two rooms are joined together, or opened to another room, it is quite important to integrate that sub properly.

* Pssst, give these Studio 20s a serious listen.

Cheers,

Bob