Getting great definition in the LOWER REGISTER of an audio system is tough to accomplish.
How much bass is enough? How much is too much? The good news is, only one opinion counts- yours.
The lower register can be important for many reasons. Bass drum thwacks/kicks and various kit fireworks. Stand up bass fiddle or electric bass licks. Synth earthquakes. But for me, getting the lower register of the piano “right” is more important than anything else.
Beethoven was the first composer to have a somewhat “modern” leaning piano. Chopin was the first to have a decent piano we might recognize as something of today. With LVB in mind for starters, we can consider the lower register.
Beethoven’s piano sonata #8 in C Minor, composed in 1798, absolutely pops the cork compared to what was written before. His understanding of what could be done with the bass region on the opening GRAVE movement is to die for. How did he KNOW? His piano wasn’t close to as good as my modest Baldwin M. It isn’t fair, A?
But somehow LVB knew… what could live in the lower register of the instrument! LVB’s use of the darkness of what, was for then, a modern piano, had to be a revelation of sorrowful emotion for music lovers who had heard nothing like this. If only LVB could have heard his marvelous creation on a modern piano- as we can! He’d be pleased he was even a greater genius than he knew.
This great “Pathetique” sonata’s first movement provides an exquisite and beautiful sample of what could be used to help find a hi-fi system you’ll enjoy. For me, if the Pathetique turns to mud, I’m not interested. No thanks.
So what gets us there? Speaking of speakers to start, there are plenty of fine expensive speakers that can do it. But what’s the first that goes deep but won’t muddle the Pathetique?
The Wharfedale Lintons at $1800 per pair on stands, will astonish you for their price. Linton has the ability to convey despair- without clouding the gorgeous lower register of a fine piano recording. It is no secret that Wharfedale made the Linton specifically to go on stands. It was this perspicacious first decision that helps keep the lower register of the music deep, yet defined. The 8” Kevlar woofer would sound murky if it was employed in a thin skinned tower.
Next, consider the Amphion Argon 3S for $2700 per pair (black or white, $3000 per pair walnut). Argon 3S goes shockingly deep for its size and yet never obfuscates piano keys or Percy Heath’s beautiful playing of the stand up bass. Argon 3S is a stunner for delineation- which is why studio engineers throughout the world, employ it as a mixing tool.
Moving north from here, Bryston makes the ever spectacular A3 ($3270 pr) and A2 ($3810 pr). They have bass power that truly approaches the impact of a live instrument, with the ability to stay in tune. These speakers don’t have “one note bass.” They like a little power to get there (NAD C268, $950, 80×2, NAD C298, $2200, 185×2).
When one of these amps is matched with the highly resolved, smooth, NAD C658 preamp ($1650 with built in DAC and Streamer), the results sound very close to some of the most expensive gear on the market. C658 is a preamp that a number of our older customers have purchased to replace an Adcom, Parasound or Rotel for ex, that brings you a new level of smoothness and resolution, complete with on board streamer, including MQA.
Of course you can go north from here. But I’m happy to recommend affordable products that can please a picky pianist like me.