ADS L880 Placement

[ASIMO7]

I just picked up a pair of L880/2’s to try out. There’s a lot of good things said about ADS, and I wanted to try out a pair of vintage(-ish) speakers. I’ve set them up on some stools just so I could listen to them and I was impressed with their clarity, detail and musicality. I just couldn’t find the bass. What I did was definitely not optimal in my room as it’s set up but no matter where I moved I couldn’t hear any real solid bass. I don’t expect to get monstrous bass or for them to compete with my 300W floorstanders, not by any means. I was looking for a balanced sound from theses, something kinda laid back but still with good bass response. I was just expecting a little more in the low end, being that they do have 10” drivers. Having said all that, I was hoping some of you ADS fans could give me some pointers to make these guys rock before I decide what I may change in my room or what stands I get. I can tell if I can get some solid bass out of them, I’d love them.

 

[phatster]

One of the best ADS speakers in my view.I don't think much elevation is helpful,10 inches with a small lean backward.I got the best bass closer to the back wall.What other components are in your system as they make a difference in SQ as well?

 

[Old Guy8]

I have series 1 and 2 sets. I have liked these 7" tall interlocking X shape stands. AR 3 style stands. I see a builder/seller of similar stands on Ebay for $135. No connection. Also I've used 9" tilted wood stands.

They can make some bass. Depending on position to boundaries. And your room. But they aren't Cerwin Vega D9s. And your amp makes a difference, as with most speakers. A stout amp with at least 100 wpc, IMO, to get bass at volume. That said, I'm useing an EL34 set amp at 6 wpc for some jazz. Limited bass here.



ADS originally offered a cantilevered square steel tubing weldment stands for L880. Think they were about a foot tall. I should have bought, back in '85. Kick self in ass. There were a couple after market builders recently. They look nice but in neighborhood of $400 plus shipping? May still be one still in business. One stopped due to health.

 

[ASIMO7]

One of the best ADS speakers in my view.I don't think much elevation is helpful,10 inches with a small lean backward.I got the best bass closer to the back wall.What other components are in your system as they make a difference in SQ as well?

Currently I’m running them through an Yamaha A-S1100. A fairly warm SS amp. Also with an Yamaha SACD/CD player and an upgraded Pro-Ject Debut Carbon. I actually bought these for my secondary system, which is a Yamaha C-85 pre with twin Yamaha M-60’s.

 

[Old Guy8]

That A-S1100 should drive them nicely. A stout amp.

 

[ASIMO7]

I have series 1 and 2 sets. I have liked these 7" tall interlocking X shape stands. AR 3 style stands. I see a builder/seller of similar stands on Ebay for $135. No connection. Also I've used 9" tilted wood stands.

They can make some bass. Depending on position to boundaries. And your room. But they aren't Cerwin Vega D9s. And your amp makes a difference, as with most speakers. A stout amp with at least 100 wpc, IMO, to get bass at volume. That said, I'm useing an EL34 set amp at 6 wpc for some jazz. Limited bass here.
View attachment 2162300


ADS originally offered a cantilevered square steel tubing weldment stands for L880. Think they were about a foot tall. I should have bought, back in '85. Kick self in ass. There were a couple after market builders recently. They look nice but in neighborhood of $400 plus shipping? May still be one still in business. One stopped due to health.
View attachment 2162258

I’ve been seriously considering the JBL stands you can get for the L82 Classics. They are very nice looking with a 15” raise and 7 degree rake. I’m being a little shy because they are expensive. $250 is a lot without being sure I’ll like the speakers.

 

[Old Guy8]

I can see not jumping for stands till sure speakers suit you.
In my cave, I have used large cinder blocks with cloth over them, temporarily as stands, for testing speakers. They're cheap, but a pain to move and discard later.

 

[ASIMO7]

I can see not jumping for stands till sure speakers suit you.
In my cave, I have used large cinder blocks with cloth over them, temporarily as stands, for testing speakers. They're cheap, but a pain to move and discard later.

That’s a pretty good idea. That’s one of the dilemmas I’m having is getting them up without actually having stands. Definitely trying to do my due diligence as I feel these are good speakers for me if I can get them set up.

 

[Old Guy8]

I still have the blocks. Maybe i can set at street, with for free sign.

I have 7-1/2" x 7-1/2" x 16" blocks. Used for stacked Double Advents I used to have.
Blocks were about $1 each at Menards.

 

[MJB1959]

I have a set of 880's first generation I believe. I like the bass, and I am a bassist, that 10" woofer is a nice component, and punches pretty darn good. It never overpowers the balance of the tweeter and midrange. Soundmotor, the former ADS employee who is an active poster here at AK really likes the speaker in general, and mentioned that an instant upgrade was to get the ADS S10 car subwoofers as a drop in upgrade.

Never got hold of those, but I think about it from time to time. After mentioning that to Richard So via email, he said he can upgrade the L880 woofer by adding a bigger magnet and voicecoil, not too expensive as I recall.

 

[ASIMO7]

I have a set of 880's first generation I believe. I like the bass, and I am a bassist, that 10" woofer is a nice component, and punches pretty darn good. It never overpowers the balance of the tweeter and midrange. Soundmotor, the former ADS employee who is an active poster here at AK really likes the speaker in general, and mentioned that an instant upgrade was to get the ADS S10 car subwoofers as a drop in upgrade.

Never got hold of those, but I think about it from time to time. After mentioning that to Richard So via email, he said he can upgrade the L880 woofer by adding a bigger magnet and voicecoil, not too expensive as I recall.

I’m definitely a bass head myself. Although, like I mentioned in the op, I don’t have unrealistic expectations for theses. I can just tell they really need to be positioned just right to get bass out of them.

I’ve seen posts about the ADS car sub as an upgrade. I think the stock woofer will be fine if I can dial it in. I’d hate to upset the balance of the design. I’m kind of looking for something that’s a bit mellow but still has some meat to it’s sound. I figured the 880’s would be perfect having the 10” drivers.

Is Richard So still actively upgrading and repairing ADS’s? I’d be really interested in a refresh on these, especially if I get them sorted out.

 

[sx-70]

No need to upgrade the woofer in the /2 (that automotive upgrade only applies to the first series).

Factory stands are pictured here:
brochure

 

[ASIMO7]

No need to upgrade the woofer in the /2 (that automotive upgrade only applies to the first series).

Factory stands are pictured here:
brochure

Those stands are extremely rare. I’d probably consider getting them if I found a pair. Although I do feel I’d like to get them up higher than the 8” (I think) with the ADS stands.

The stock woofer does seem high quality. Butyl surrounds and everything. I’m thinking they may just be be tricky to position for good bass. That’s a lot of speakers, to be fair.

 

[sx-70]

They are the best looking design of the ADS stands in my opinion. Some could be fabricated without too much trouble I would guess.

Measurements (rough) here

 

[onwardjames]

I bought a pair last summer from another AK'er, simply because I'd never had ADS's and the price was fair.

Didn't even hook them up for a few months, but when I did, bang, I was in love.

I don't lack bass with mine, pushing with a humble Topping TP60. An extremely well balanced, enjoyable speaker.

 

[ASIMO7]

I bought a pair last summer from another AK'er, simply because I'd never had ADS's and the price was fair.

Didn't even hook them up for a few months, but when I did, bang, I was in love.

I don't lack bass with mine, pushing with a humble Topping TP60. An extremely well balanced, enjoyable speaker.

I am definitely anxious to hear their true sound. I can’t imagine they would lack bass with 10” drivers. Today I’m going to grab a couple cinder blocks and get them in the same position as my main speakers and see what happens. Their clarity and detail is amazing, I can say that.

 

[onwardjames]

I am definitely anxious to hear their true sound. I can’t imagine they would lack bass with 10” drivers. Today I’m going to grab a couple cinder blocks and get them in the same position as my main speakers and see what happens. Their clarity and detail is amazing, I can say that.

Be sure and have a good time. That's what this hobby should be all about!

 

[ASIMO7]

Be sure and have a good time. That's what this hobby should be all about!

Absolutely

 

[Tiver]

I am definitely anxious to hear their true sound. I can’t imagine they would lack bass with 10” drivers. Today I’m going to grab a couple cinder blocks and get them in the same position as my main speakers and see what happens. Their clarity and detail is amazing, I can say that.

So I haven't heard the L880. My experience with the L810 was that at floor level they were too bass heavy. Putting them up 10"- 20" off the floor allowed the bass to relax a bit. I was reading of your dilemna and considered the floor might provide the bass reinforcement you're looking for. So maybe in the 6" range with a very small tilt. It sounds like that is the direction in which your experiments are going anyhow.

Also how lively is the room? Right now I am trying to tame (the room) some L1590 which are too forward and bright for a lot of recordings. These aren't bass shy speakers, but the room and the recording can really make them sound less than optimal sometimes.

 

[ASIMO7]

So I haven't heard the L880. My experience with the L810 was that at floor level they were too bass heavy. Putting them up 10"- 20" off the floor allowed the bass to relax a bit. I was reading of your dilemna and considered the floor might provide the bass reinforcement you're looking for. So maybe in the 6" range with a very small tilt. It sounds like that is the direction in which your experiments are going anyhow.

Also how lively is the room? Right now I am trying to tame (the room) some L1590 which are too forward and bright for a lot of recordings. These aren't bass shy speakers, but the room and the recording can really make them sound less than optimal sometimes.

Hopefully I can get good bass when I get them closer to the back wall and between 12-15” off the ground. It also kind of seems you may need to push them a little for the good bass. Perhaps a tendency of the sealed cabinet? We’ll see.

Room is pretty dead. There is heavily padded swivel chairs with thick pillows on them at the first deflection. A large, heavily padded couch about eleven feet away and a 3’x3’ ottoman with a padded top in front of the couch. Side walls are about 4’-ish from the speaker positions on each side. My main speakers have a ton of bass, so I think the room is ok.

I played The Freddy Jones Band’s - Waiting for the Night album, which is incredible sounding and has fantastic bass. This is where I realized I was really wanting for bass with these guys.