SBL's, bass, and the art of a NAXO

Posted by: Steve Hall on 06 February 2004

Having just for massive WAF points had wooden floors installed across the whole of the downstairs of the Chez Hall, I have been getting accustomed to the new sound of my system.

The sound from my CDS2/XPS1/52/SC/Naxo/Hi-Cap/180/180 -> SBL's (latest) system has obviously changed.

To recap, all components are supported on the best 2p's money can buy, the system itself is supported on two tiers of Quadraspire standard, mains is from a dedicated 10mm spur, MK unswitched logic socket into MusicWorks blocks and cables.

Even when the room was carpeted, the amount of base out of the system was nothing room shattering, however I described it as neutral and liked the sound. However with the floor changes, the system has become a little tizzy (eg Dreamland by Robert Plant - Funny In My Mind (I Believe I'm Fixin' To Die) ) after the initial keyboards is now uncomfortable to listen to at any volume (8pm is ok-ish, 9pm isnt).

I have placed a large rug between the speakers, and the seating position, and there is now only about .75m from speaker to start of rug, and .75m from end of rug to seating position - and the rug is the width of the speakers wide.

There are large, double lined curtains behind the seating position, and a large wall hanging behind the SBL's.

The SBL's are about 4cm (wood to wall - not metal stand) and have been recently resealed.

The only 'old' piece of kit in my setup is the 52, which is 9 years - and Naim themselves only suggest the front-panel mod to get the remote, switches and knobs updated.

What do you think could be sapping my bass? Do you think the NAXO (not S-NAXO) is out of kilter? Could the settings be making my SBL's to base light, or am I expecting to much?
Posted on: 06 February 2004 by Erik
Take yhe speakers out from the wall by about 2 cm. That can increas the bass and get it deeper and not so shy.

/Erik
Posted on: 07 February 2004 by garyi
If you are allowed remove the obstructions between sbl and floor. With wooden floors in place the interface seems to be come critical, and even people like me who don't believe in the difference a cable can make, can clearly hear the difference between having 2 pences in place and not.

Of course you will have the issue of damaging the floor, although to be honest on our floor this has not been an issue just be careful.

Try it, I think you will be suprised.
Posted on: 07 February 2004 by monkfish
Hi
There are pots inside the NAXO which you can use to tailor the sound, worth trying but don't forget to mark the position they started at.
Regards
Jim
Posted on: 07 February 2004 by Steve Hall
Anyone use Naim Chips under their speakers?

Garyi, the obstructions under the speakers *has* to stay, the wifey would kill me.

I'll try the 2cm trick a little later, once the sprog has risen from his nap.
Posted on: 07 February 2004 by Paul B
quote:
Anyone use Naim Chips under their speakers?


Yes - under SBLs on wooden floors (in an active system). IMO they are a significant improvement over coins or screws. Haven't tried Mana SBL stands though.

Paul
Posted on: 07 February 2004 by Steve Hall
Interesting point, I've got a set of Mana stands for my SBL's around. I've not tried them since giving up on carpet.

I think i'll try the chips first though.

The sprog has now risen from his nap, so I'll try the 2cm move (1cm at a time) and report back.

Thanks for the update on the Chips.