I've got an audiophile story (well...mid-file) that only my people here will get.
The speakers I use are Klipsch RB-81s. A forum member gave me a hookup on them 15 year or so ago. They have an 8" woofer, which is really unusual for bookshelf speakers this generation. They are good speakers, but not audiophile speakers. I heard some really good $2,000 speakers somewhere last year and it was kind of nagging at me. I've been watching our local shop's used room and something came through there that I wanted to try and so I have them home for the weekend. They are showing me what is missing in my Klipsch speakers, but at least initially, the weight and body of the bass was just gone. Obviously I can't live with that, but I have them for a few more days and they seem to be opening up, so we'll see.
But, here's the part I think you all might appreciate. What I realize about my Klipsch speakers is they sound like what it what it sounds like to play doublebass with a jazz group. You can feel it and you can hear it more or less, but it's not super-refined. Not like it is if you're listening from a good spot in the room. Sometimes, the pitch or articulation isn't clear. The other instruments are all present too, but you're not really listening to them there's this blanket of how the bass feels draped over everything. It's what it feels like to be on-stage in the middle of a set. I've never thought of it that way but there it is. That may be why I've enjoyed them all this time.
But, with the visiting speakers, while absent that bass presence, wow! Billy Higgin's snare drum! That's what a piano sounds like! Breaths between lyrics or tenor sax phrases. It's a whole new world...I just need 50% of the bass back.
If these speakers don't open up, obviously they have to go back, but I think I know what I am looking for now.
