Cables can vary considerably in frequency response, including bass response. Some cables are bass heavy, some are bass shy. Some sound rolled off, sound have midrange suck out, we don’t know why. (Rhyme alert!) One tip is try reversing the cables since cables are directional and sound better in one direction than the other. This applies to all cables.
Can cables of any cost and quality provide bass response missing in my B&W speakers?
I'm sure variants of this question have been offered previously, but let me ask in light of the following: I have a very modest main system powered by an Adcom 555II amp, Adcom GFP-750 pre-amp, and run into a pair of B&W CM-4 speakers (6.5in woofer, 6.5in. woofer/mid. and tweeter, and bi-wireable). Any music with a moderate-to- heavy bass component (organ, bass fiddle, etc) just doesn't translate to my ear. I'm using a mid-range pair of Monster cables, and in fact tried a second pair of Z-Series to no audible difference. On the other hand I have a legacy pair of a/d/s 1090L tower speakers (2x7.5in woofers, 6in. mid-range, tweeter) that deliver thundering bass when needed regardless of cabling used, and powered by the same system. Even tried passive bi-amping for the B&Ws by using an old Carver M-500t amp for HF input, and Adcom amp for LF input...no diff. Is there any point really in looking at higher-end speaker wire of, e.g., thicker gauge, or exotic geometry, or multi-conductor "shotgunning", whatever, in order to induce greater LF response from the CM-4s? Thanks for your patience.
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Polarity is a good one. But first you need to verify the system is in correct polarity then try to find a source that’s also in correct polarity. If the source is CD it ain’t that easy to find one that’s correct. Most of them aren’t. Cable directionality is a 50/50 thing, Polarity of CDs is not, it’s worse. |
@compass_rose - If you look at the spec of this speaker it would appear that they only provide a low frequency of 38 Hz I would ask how low do you want to go? Unfortunately, no cable will assist in getting lower than 38Hz - you will need a subwoofer for that. These speakers are approaching the limit of what a 6.5" woofer can deliver. Changing to a speaker with 8" woofer could get you down to around 28 Hz and a 10" woofer even lower. I have Tannoy speakers with a 6.5" woofer (delivering low of 32Hz) on my A/V system and they lack the bass of the speakers in my Audio system which has an 8" woofer - with a low of 28Hz Having said that, one speaker cable that does perform exceptionally well and will allow your speaker to perform at their optimal level is the gZero6 from KLE Innovations. I highly recommend them and have reviewed them at length - see... http://image99.net/blog/files/228f7609149d575dd8dd8d956511e7c2-57.html There are other models of cable, but the gZero6 offers the best bang for the buck for your speakers. If you would like a speaker cable more reasonably priced - try the gZero2. It outperformed my Van den Hul d352 10 gauge cable - providing a more detailed, faster and deeper bass. See... http://image99.net/blog/files/fac35e44c003d559714cdd73d86febf9-51.html Also, If you do order either cable - ask for their Classic Bananas to be installed. It will probably be the last speaker cable you buy Regards - Steve |
Hi Willie, I don't think the specification is the whole story. 38 Hz is fine for a -3dB point but it is the rest of the frequency response that determines the balance. WIlson's, Focal's and others have a bass bump (which is quite musical) in the bass, and everything else is below that. These B&Ws are curious in that the mid and treble are above the bass, making these speakers curiously lean, unless they are going to be used with a sub. These choices may have been done to improve the sensitivity. Take a look at the first chart here: https://www.soundandvision.com/content/bw-cm-series-surround-speaker-system-measurements Placement matters, of course, so close to a wall these speakers may greatly improve. Definitely not speakers to leave far from the walls. Best, Erik |
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