Proac Studio 100 : lack of low end

[cinealta]

You probably should have posted this in the High End section. PM a mod and see if they can move the thread for you. There's a few guys there that use ProaAcs & Brystons regularly.

[SP12]

Yes thank you, i'll pm a mod. Sorry

[espen askelad]

I had the same issue and tried a few power amps; the issue persisted. At one point, using the speakers in another studio each with it's own amplifier, the low end was more present, but for myself I've settled on using a subwoofer with them.

[Kingtone]

nearly everyone i know in nashville that uses the Proacs also uses a subwoofer.
(note: i did not say EVERYONE that uses proacs... just everyone i know... which is about 10 or so engineers.) FWIW.

[bushwick]

Well, its not a very big box and not a very big woofer. At some point you run into physics. Boxes, particularly small ones often are ported to generate more bottom end. I had a conversation with Chuck Zwicky a while back about this. One of the great things about NS10's. . . .notice how they aren't ported? No weird lowend resonances. They aren't faking what isn't there. Anyway, I got rid of the 100's because I was tired of wrestling with the low end. A sub probably would've helped. I miss the speakers a good bit, but I couldn't afford to keep them and upgrade as well.

Get a sub or get different speakers if they are your only pair.

josh

[EleKtriKaz]

I use a sub with my Pro Ac/Bryston 4BST combination. That being said, I've always felt the Pro Acs do a decent job at reproducing low end, especially when you consider the size of the woofer.

Aside from the fact that I've just gotten used to hearing Pro Acs with a sub, crossing them over and using a sub dramatically increases the life span of those woofers. Those little 6.5" drivers will try and put out 30Hz all day long until eventually they just begin to separate, which one of mine is doing right now. Not looking forward to the $400 I'm going to have to spend on a new one.

[SP12]

Well, thanks all.
I'm not mad , it's a characteristic problem with the studio 100.
A sub is a solution, but i move a lot in different studio, it's complicated for me to bring the Bryston + Proacs + sub.... i need to buy a pick-up I've never worked with a sub, i think it's a bit dangerous...especially when he's not adjusted properly. I've bought the ProAcs because a lot of engineers around me said they were neutral, punchy, good qualities..etc..etc...i read some reviews from famous engineers...But in fact, i'm a little bit disappointed. ALso, it's very hard to find spare woofers. Maybe i'me gonna resell them...I don't know.
I've the opportunity to buy a pair of Event ASP8, are they good ?
I also have a pair of B&W 705 (friend's pair). They're not bad, i never work with them.
@EleKtriKaz : Which sub do you use with your proac ?
@bushwick : it's my only pair, that's the problem. except my B&W 705. I understand what you say about the ns10's....

[thermos]

I personally wouldn't give up so quickly. I'd definitely try a different amp. I tried 3 amps before I found one that gave me the balance I wanted. Tried an expensive Audio Research amp that was beautiful in the low end department but had no clarity. Then tried a custom amp that was a little light in the lows. Now I use an Adcom GFA-555 (heavily modified) and they are very balanced. The low end translates really well. The only area where I think its lacking is with synth instruments that are centered around 100 hz, (sub bass sounds and stuff).