Currently rocking a bass heavy setup. Looking for advice

[Ramabot]

Hey there, new to the game and looking to get some advice or pointers on an ambitious addition to my setup. Currently I have a Marantz 2238 working as a preamp to a RadioShack MPA 200 100 wpc powering 2 Realistic Mach ones (4024A). I’ve gotten very lucky in my opinion with gear.

Love the sound, very bass heavy of course. I recently got a sweet deal on a Monitor Audio silver centre 12i speaker that I wondered on adding to the setup? If possible. Or would I need to purchase a modern surround sound amp with the proper channels.

Attaching pictures of the speaker setup and equipment.

 

[ToxicTele]

From the pics you are set up for stereo. Center channel would just muddy things up. If you going for moviies/video, then neither the marantz or the MPA200 wouod decode the center. If strictly stereo, the Marantz would be the keeper and be on the lookout for some more discerning speakers.

 

[gizzyman47]

Yes, you would need a surround sound receiver to run the center speaker. The position of your main speakers would make implementing the center speaker difficult as it would normally go between them.
Oh, Welcome to AK!

 

[swechsler]

I tend to agree (that there's no place in this system for a center channel). However, if you are happy with the sound as-is, then don't make any changes. If you think there's room for improvement, what, exactly, do you think your current system is lacking? Once you've worked that out, we can advise you further. As many of us can attest, simply purchasing equipment because you got a great deal is not an effective way to upgrade.

And welcome to AK!

 

[Ramabot]

I tend to agree (that there's no place in this system for a center channel). However, if you are happy with the sound as-is, then don't make any changes. If you think there's room for improvement, what, exactly, do you think your current system is lacking? Once you've worked that out, we can advise you further. As many of us can attest, simply purchasing equipment because you got a great deal is not an effective way to upgrade.

And welcome to AK!

My goal was to get some added range with the center speaker. The bass feels overpowering but that is that style of speaker I’m learning (Realistic Mach One). I also have a pair of Bose 301 series III hooked up to a Yamaha a560 that sounds a lot clearer but lacks presence. This is for TV use or casual record playing.

There’s a set of Monitor Audio Silver 5i towers I was considering and selling the Mach Ones? Does that sound like a downgrade

Option B could be adding the Bose 301’s to the B channel of the Mach Ones to fill in the gap I’m looking for but overkill maybe?

 

[Ramabot]

Also really appreciate the warm welcomes!

 

[wparks]

Welcome to AK.

I know the Mach One's like a lot of power to sound right and do have "gratuitous woofer", but I'm surprised between the bass/mid/high EQ on the Marantz, and the mid/high cut/boost on the Mach One's you still want to add another speaker to fill in the mids? Have you done some experimenting to make sure the midrange and horn is working on those?

 

[Fat Point Ja]

As I vaguely remember the Radio Shack MPA 200 is a PA amp. Try a real music power amp. I don't remember selling that amp and the Mach One's together.

 

[loudnoises]

Bass heavy sound can come from room positioning. Even moving them out from a wall or to the side a small amount can have a big effect.

Symmetry, while visually appealing and generally a good idea, can be your enemy. Try pulling them off the wall a bit, maybe narrowing the distance between. Your listening distance can affect what you're hearing too.

I had a lovely pair of kappas, but where they were in my house was producing very localized bass. Like you were walking in and out of nodes. Was great in one spot, anemic in another, and overwhelming elsewhere. The klh 5 put out more bass, but it's very evenly distributed. Same positions in the room. Same layout of furniture.

 

[GChief]

Bass heavy sound can come from room positioning.

x2.

I am living with it now. It is not an issue for casual listening (background) or TV usage. Once pulled out into the room for critical listening all is good.

 

[gadget73]

Does the Marantz have a bass control and/or a loudness switch? Try turning the bass down or turn off the loudness.

also your speaker placement doesn't really lend itself to any sort of coherent imaging at any location I'm seeing in that pic, so maybe you want to experiment with that.

 

[swechsler]

Bass heavy sound can come from room positioning. Even moving them out from a wall or to the side a small amount can have a big effect.

Especially since the left speaker is in a corner with glass behind (the curtain looks too thin to help much acoustically). That will create a huge bass boost. Looks like the right speaker is in a partial corner as well.

There’s a set of Monitor Audio Silver 5i towers I was considering and selling the Mach Ones? Does that sound like a downgrade

That sounds like an upgrade, if your goal is accuracy over excessive bass. The Mach Ones are really "party" speakers - they play loud and clear with plenty of bass (as you're aware), and lots of people like them, but I'm not sure I would consider them "high fidelity".

If you want to go all-in with surround (and I don't see that you'd need two different systems in the same room, the surround system can handle vinyl playback as well), the MA sides and center would work well together, provided you add an appropriate receiver. The rear channels are a little less critical, you could use the 301s while starting out. You'd also probably want to add a powered subwoofer.

 

[whoaru99]

There is the possibility to connect a speaker in Hafler-type circuit. The most basic form would be to connect the "center" speaker across the two (+) terminals of the amp, same ones as the main speakers connect to. Could put a switch in series to turn it on/off as necessary, and even could implement a rheostat for variable level. But, none of that fancy stuff is necessary just to try it.