ellisfsu Posted March 16, 2002 Share Posted March 16, 2002 alright, this has been driving me crazy. i have a denon 3802 running to a set of rf3II's. i am concerned that i am not getting enough bass from the speakers. i know the blame should not be placed on the rfII's as i experienced the same "lack" with my previous mains (ksf 8.5's). i am not expecting the speakers to reproduce what is intended for the sub, but i still feel i should be getting more upper range bass (kickdrums and such). i am comparing my current sound to what i experienced while running an H/K avr 300 to the set of 8.5's. when watching the woofers in action, i see very little movement and the port barely breathes (if any at all). i am almost certain all of the settings on the 3802 are on the mark (front speakers set to large and the low frequencies sent to mains and sub. i also have played around with the crossover settings to no avail). with my sub on i really enjoy the sound. with sub off i always want to somehow turn the bass up more. i know yall will dismiss this as someone wanting his mains to do what a subwoofer is supposed to do. however, please understand that i am not refering to very low frequencies. i simply feel that the denon is not allowing the rf3's to do what they are supposed to. i never experienced this with the H/K running to the 8.5's. BTW, i am also the poster who was concerned about amplifier hiss a couple of posts down. could these be related? am i out of my mind and expecting too much? is this just denon sound? thanks for any advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike stehr Posted March 16, 2002 Share Posted March 16, 2002 Sounds like the Denon is a little thin on guts. Did you keep the H/K? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellisfsu Posted March 16, 2002 Author Share Posted March 16, 2002 yep, i kept the H/K but would hate to think that what i assumed was a higher class receiver doesn't sound as good as one that cost considerably less. besides, the 3802 kicks tail on HT applications. Please, please, don't tell me that my precious denon is musically inferior to the $350, 65 watt HK it replaced. if it is, i will just have to depend on the sub more than i would like. i just want to know i am getting everything i am supposed to. i simply cannot imagine someone running my setup without a subwoofer or two and enjoying music. But on the other hand, when mated with a good sub the sound is amazing. i just feel that i am overly dependent on the sub. thanks again. This message has been edited by ellisfsu on 03-16-2002 at 08:48 PM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Diggs Posted March 16, 2002 Share Posted March 16, 2002 I have the same problem with my setup. H/T has some slammin bass, but music never has quite the bass I need. Turning up the bass on the receiver doesn't help much either. I think all Denon's lack enough bass for us bassheads. My suggestion? Use the H/K as an amp to run your speakers. ------------------ My hodge-podge of equipment Denon AVR-2800 KG-4 mains (too bad the rest of my speakers aren't this good) Polk C-175 center (it's ok) Infinity RS-10 Surrounds (suck) Audiosource SW-15 subwoofer (excellent sub for it's price) Pioneer DV333 DVD Sony 5 disc CD player All in a 12x12 apartment bedroom. "What?! I can't hear you!" Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougdrake2 Posted March 17, 2002 Share Posted March 17, 2002 I have a Denon 3300, and with my KG4s and my Forte speakers, without a sub, it would vibrate paint off the walls with the bass in either HT or music mode. Something is screwy here. I'm probably not qualified to help you diagnose it, but I do not think your Denon is to blame. It is capable of producing more than enough bass, IMO. Doug Edit: OK, maybe I used a little hyperbole to describe the bass I could get from KG4s/Fortes with the Denon... I really needed my sub to vibrate the paint. But, just wanted to illustrate that I never felt the Denon was lacking for bass! ------------------ My System This message has been edited by dougdrake2 on 03-18-2002 at 10:43 AM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-man Posted March 17, 2002 Share Posted March 17, 2002 Ellisfsu, I know what you mean. I totally have the same concern, but I don't let it bother me anymore. I used to have Sony receiver that really cranked the bass of my KGs. I never really needed a sub in my mind. When I replaced the Sony with a Denon 681 I was sadly dissapointed. Luckily, I got a sub at the same time, so no big deal. HT is amazing, but music has NO bass without the sub. It likely is NOT your imagination. Perhaps Doug's older Denon isn't plagued by the same gutless bass output as our Denon's. The other point is that you and I are probably used to listening to our "colored" amps, and are not used to proper transparent sound. I had a parametric EQ on that Sony and liked to boost the bass and treble a bit with it. I run my Denon flat, b/c the bass and treble controls don't improve things to my liking. I have gotten used to my Denon over the past year and like it very much now. I can play stuff much louder without fatigue, as it is much less bright than the Sony was. Of course it doesn't hurt to have a nice sub, which I also do have now. T-man ------------------ KG 5.5 (mains) KLF-C7 (center) KG 1 (rears) SVS 20-39CS+ (sub) Aura Bass Shakers (pair) Kenwood amp for sub and shakers Denon AVR 681/1601 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnA Posted March 17, 2002 Share Posted March 17, 2002 Lack of bass from 2 different speakers in the same room is most likely a room mode or placement problem. No amp regardless of its design or quality will make a large difference in bass response (unless it's clipping). Room placement, OTOH, can make a difference of 10s of dB. Move something around. John Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
T2K Posted March 17, 2002 Share Posted March 17, 2002 ellis, do you get decent bass when playing a DVD with the RF3's set large? Thanks for the laugh t-man! Keith Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellisfsu Posted March 17, 2002 Author Share Posted March 17, 2002 thanks for the input everyone. i think i will just warm up to my subs new role in the system. i feel different speaker placement will aid the bass in the future but i have absolutely no room to rearrange in my matchbox apartment. happy st. pats day. T-man, i am thinking about swapping to an SVS pci sub and was wondering how yours is performing in your setup. Have a great one. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-man Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 ellisfsu, I wouldn't hesitate to pre-order a PCi. For that kind of money, you can't really do much better. I love my SVS. T-man Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest BobG Posted March 18, 2002 Share Posted March 18, 2002 Why not try the HK as an experiment. That will tell you all you need to know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Frzninvt Posted March 23, 2002 Share Posted March 23, 2002 Could it be the lack of bass content in what you are listening to? If not, perhaps trying a subharmonic synthesizer to draw the bass out like the Audio Control PCA (Phase Coupled Activator) or Richter Scale or a DBX 120X-DS Subharmonic Synthesizer. I use one in my system and never have a lack of bass no matter what the source. ------------------ Living Room Sony KP-43T70 43" Television Denon AVR 3300 A/V Receiver (ALF/ARF)LWE-I's w/motion feedback DBX BX-3MkII Power Amplifier (LF/RF) (Belle's - Oak Clear/Cane) DBX BX-3MkII Power Amplifier (RR/ARR/LR/ALR) (Heresy II's (Walnut/Cane) & Infinity SM82 (Walnut) DBX MPA-150 Mono Split Spectrum Amplifier © (KV-4 - Black) Klipsch KSW-15 Powered Subwoofer (2) Nakamichi DVD-10 DVD/LCD/CD Player DBX DX-5 CD Player w/DAIR Pioneer CT-S88R Programmable Auto-Reverse Cassette Deck Technics SL-DL5 DD Linear Tracking Turntable JVC HR-S7500U SVHS Video Cassette Recorder RCA DRD-303RA Satellite Receiver VC3 Deluxe Video Clarifier DBX 400XG Program Route Selector DBX 120X-DS Subharmonic Synthesizer/Electronic Crossover DBX 3BX-DS 3-Band Dynamic Range Controller (2) 1-L, 1-R DBX 14/10 14-Band Computerized Equalizer/RTA Analyzer/SPL Meter Panamax 1000+ Surge Protector/Line Conditioner Sega Dreamcast w/3 Controllers & VMU's/S-Video Output Bedroom Yamaha RX-900U Receiver Panasonic DVD-A120U DVD/CD Player Sony SLV-740HF Hi-Fi VCR BBE Audio Recovery System A/D/S L300E Mini Speakers (Eggshell)(LF/RF) JBL T545's (Rear) GE 20" Television Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dschrier Posted March 26, 2002 Share Posted March 26, 2002 I have the harman kardon avr500 which is rated at 75 watts x2 and 45amps of power and I find that my rf-3's put out very little bass. I have read some reviews saying that these speakers have great bass but mine do not. They do extend fairly low but drum kicks and such seem to have very little impact. I think it probably has to do with roomplacement since I have read that these speakers should be a good foot from the wall which is not possible in my tiny dorm room. Good thing I have a 15" sub to back up the bass. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schmidty Posted March 31, 2002 Share Posted March 31, 2002 I to have the same problem. I had a set of RF-5's (very similar to RF-3's) and was very disappointed with the bass so I switch to the KLF 30's and still am not satisfied. I have a pretty crappie receiver. I thought that was problem and planned on buying a Denon 3802. I not sure if that would make me happy now. Most likely it is us wanting to much bass because even my RSW 15 + Basscube 15 are not making me 100% satisfied. ------------------ Fronts----KLF 30's Center----RC-3 II Receiver--JVC RX-9010V Rears-----Quintets Sub-------RSW-15 + Basscube 15 TV--Panasonic tau 32 HDTV DVD------XBOX Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mlstrass Posted March 31, 2002 Share Posted March 31, 2002 Personally I don't think it's the 3802 as that's what I run. Had (4) JBL towers and sounded great with plenty of bass. Now have 30's & 10's and bass kicks ***! I'm also running them set to small and even have disconnected the sub and still had plenty of punch. I've played everything from AC/DC to old school rap, at VERY loud levels(just ask the neighbors 4 houses away) and the sound is incredible. Bass control is at zero. Might also take one more look to make sure they're not wired out of phase. Can also test with a 9v battery to make sure the woofers move forward. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pierceb Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I have a 3802 with RF-7's, RC-7, and RS-7's and I must say - it rocks! I have no trouble with bass, there is plenty. I have tone defeat on constantly. I don't even have a sub yet; and I bet if I tried hard, I could blast one of my windows out of the living room. I had to place the RF-7's a bit closer to the corner than recommended, due to other contraints, which probably provides the kick. The bass is a little boomy, but I think I have a reasonable balance considering I have no sub. Sounds to me that the room setting is playing a big role here. I'd try playinig around with placement of the speakers and see if you get any improvement. -PB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matthew2 Posted April 1, 2002 Share Posted April 1, 2002 I think the reason why some say the Klipsch Refrence has little bass, is because the bass is so good. Very tight and accurate. Not boomy and slow, like many speakers Klipsch consumers upgrade from. (me, hehe) No speaker anyone can afford that still sounds good, will have enough bass for newer music. (at least for young people) ------------------ Matthew Klipsch Rocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.