|   Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Spanky^
Aug 23, 2002 10:06 PM | | hi, Im feeding 200 wpc to these bad boys thru my Sony 9000 power amp and using Denon 3802 as a pre, but just not getting enough bass as I would expect from speakers this massive, making me think they're highly over rated. Is there anything I could check on em to be sure everything's working fine. |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | profrancis
Aug 24, 2002 8:50 AM | | it might not be the speaker, I have a 100's and they are really excellent. So Im guessing that the receiver/preamp is your problem. Denon receiver is not musical and lacks in the bass management. Try a different pre amp or a receiver. I am using a Nakamichi AV10 receiver for preamp and the bass is awesome. I not really sure about your amp they're SONY, the company isnot really known for amplification. They might be OK though. So try experimenting with the preamp and different receiver. |
| Profrancis... i have one question... | Stereo
Aug 24, 2002 11:31 AM | | Since u say Denon is not a musical receiver, but will Denon be good for a pre amp? Will the Denon pre amp part are lacking the musical too? or only the Denon's amp is not musical? |
| Profrancis... i have one question... | profrancis
Aug 24, 2002 10:11 PM | | I dont think is the amp it is the processing of denon as a pre amp |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Spanky^
Aug 24, 2002 2:45 PM | | I have tried connecting them without the Sony and also hooked them up with a THX certified Denon 4800, same results...thinking of swapping them with a pair of Paradigm Power Monitor 90 powered speakers, although I had very high hopes with the studio 100s after having read all the reviews |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Tom T-13
Aug 25, 2002 7:20 PM | | Try turning the sub off on your Denon. If you have the sub enabled then all sound at a selected bass frequency is routed to the sub out on the Denon. The stuff that gets to the 100's is probably rolled off from that frequency. My 100's have a fair bit of bass on most material with the sub turned off. Don't forget that bass is boosted 10dB to the sub when surround is played vs. music. I am currently using an Onkyo receiver into an Anthem MCA-20 for my 100's. Intend to upgrade to a proper 2 channel pre with theater pass through. I also suspect that my receiver digitizes all analog that enters it which isn't good. |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Chuck G
Aug 26, 2002 3:35 AM | | Have you tried using the Sony N9000es amp in the 5 channel configuration? It sounds like you have it bridged. Try biamping the 100's with 2 channels each from the N9000es instead of using the bridged mode. I've tried the N9000es amp (I use the Sony TA-E9000es preamp) and sent it back. IMO, the weakest part of the N9000es amp was the bass. Many people love the N9000es amp but most think you need 2 N9000es amps to get really good results. With 2 amps you bridge 2 channels in each amp for your front mains. This setup seems to work well. HOWEVER, I couldn't see getting 2 N9000es (even at the $700 each price I was able to find) so instead tried the Sherbourn 5/1500a. It wasn't even close. The Sherbourn has bass to die for and its 5 channel monoblock design kills the n9000es, IMO. The N9000es doesn't have the power supply needed to satisfy the speakers you have but you may like it better in the 5 channel mode and biamping the 100's. |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Spanky^
Aug 27, 2002 9:11 PM | | I am very new to the concept of bi-amping/bi-wiring...could u guide me further on how to do that. Does that mean I need another 9000es ? I bridged it 'cause I thought that was the only way I could feed 200wpc to the Studios instead of 115 wpc in the 5 channel mode. |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Chuck G
Aug 28, 2002 3:57 AM | | I am assuming the studio 100's are biampable. If you have 2 sets of inputs on the back of the speakers they are biampable. This is what you could try if they are biampable...
1. Remove the metal jumpers between the 2 sets of inputs on the back of the speakers.
2. Put the N9000es in the 5 channel mode by unbridging the 4 channels you have bridged to 2.
3. You will need 2 y rca splitters (one female to 2 male ends would be easiest). Then connect the rca cables for your front mains into the female y splitter--then connect the 2 male ends to 2 channels each of the N9000es. You then run the 2 sets of speaker wire from the amp to the 2 sets on inputs on the speaker (yes, you need 2 more sets of speaker wire,,,perferably the same length as your current set).
That should do it. If you want to try a 2nd N9000es, you would get much better results just bridging 2 channels (one bridge on each amp) in each amp. (so each amp will be in a 4 channel setup) That way the N9000es limited power supply would be split for each front main speaker (giving you much greater headroom).
IMO, you would be better off selling the N9000es and just getting a better single 5 channel amp like a Parasound 1205a or Sherbourn 5/1500a. You can get a good used deal on either of these (or find a used N9000es if that is what you want) at audiogon.com.... |
| re: Studio 100s...not gettin enough bass | Chris in Ottawa
Aug 26, 2002 8:45 AM | | Which speaker were you using prior to the 100s? I upgraded from a pair of Cerwin Vega AT-12s, obviously the 100s won't "kick" like the CVs. What I did find however, was that the 100s would dig much deeper and produce a much more refined sound, along with newly discovered mid-range, go figure. Apart from my power handling concerns addressed in a post below, I love the speaker.
The other point is that there is a lot that can be done with this speaker depending on placement, and you may want to try moving them a little closer to a rear wall.
Chris |
| im no expert, but... | Petair
Aug 27, 2002 6:04 PM | | isn't the location of the speakers in the room a big factor in the sound, particularly bass? i have studio 100's as well, powered by an old (soon to be replaced) reciever at an embarassing 35 wpc, and sometimes i think the bass can be a little overwelming while listening to some music. it not a huge room, but ive noticed changes in the bass response depending on their placement in the room. mine are about 12"-18" from the back wall, about 6 1/2' from each other, about 7' or so from my listening spot. good luck with whatever you try, i definitely think these are a great sounding set of speakers and an incredible bargain.
petier. |
| im no expert, but... | snickelfritz
Aug 28, 2002 9:12 AM | | Paradigm Studio100's have excellent bass response!
I measured the bass response of the Paradigms running from a cheap Sony 80wpc HT Reciever($169.00 at bestbuy; very icky) over at a friend's house.
+15db at 40hz, +9db at 31hz, and -6db at 20hz in a smallish livingroom.(!)
The speakers were placed within 8 inches of the front wall and the measurements taken from the listening position along the back wall.
This very substantial bass output, even considering the close proximity to the front wall.
IMO the speakers sounded extremely bass-heavy with excellent impact in this room, and totally swamped a 150watt 12" Cerwin Vega subwoofer.
It was not practical to experiment with placement in this room, but I suspect that the big peak at 40hz and excessive midbass would come down nicely with the speakers a few feet from the front wall.
You'd need a VERY powerful and extended sub to meaningfully augment these speakers.
You would also need to roll off these speakers at about 80 hz to remove some of the midbass heaviness, which would also tend to require a very "musical" and expensive sub.
BTW, passive biamping your speakers would be a good idea if you had two amps with identical gain and the bass amp was at least 250wpc.(these speakers really sing with lots of current!)
It's not at all the same thing as an active biamped system though; more along the lines of a biwired system on steriods.
Personally, I like your original idea of bridging the Sony for maximum output vs biamping the speakers with multiple lower powered amps.
IMO, your bass problem is likely room/placement related or maybe a bass management issue with your receiver setup.
Based on my experience with my friend's system, I seriously doubt it's an issue that would be solved with a high end poweramp or different frontend.
GL |
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