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Can a power amp be a "bass factory"?

988 Views 43 Replies 15 Participants Last post by Mike Lang, Aug 29, 2019

Out-Of-Phase

Discussion Starter · Aug 27, 2019

The other day I saw an advertisement for an audiophile brand power amp that claimed it was a "bass factory". It was a traditional Class A/B design. It operated at Class A until about 15 watts.

This particular power amplifier had no gain controls of any kind. All you have is the choice of balanced or RCA connections.

The question is, can certain power amps be bass factories as they put it? Is it possible for some power amplifiers to extend the lower frequencies over other power amps?

I always thought that it was the room, the speakers, the speaker locations and the subwoofers that gave the overall bass experience.

Marketing? Sensationalism? Half-truths? Lies?

Your input please.

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1 - 20 of 44 Posts

Leeliemix

· #2 · Aug 27, 2019

Can a power amp be a "bass factory"?

They probably mean that the amp is powerful enough to play the bass like its supposed to be played. But ye, you are at the mercy of speakers and room also... its a bit of a stretch to say the least.
It is possible they have implemented some sort of EQ to manipulate the bass but an amp is not where you want that.

Edit: spelling, and which amp is it?

Ratman

· #3 · Aug 27, 2019

Out-Of-Phase said:
The other day I saw an advertisement for an audiophile brand power amp that claimed it was a "bass factory".

Advertisement.

I talked with a home realtor and he was selling a property and said, "THIS will be the best and last home you'll ever own!"

Total BS.

Reactions: 1

Out-Of-Phase

Discussion Starter · #4 · Aug 27, 2019

Leeliemix said:
It is possible they have implemented some sort of EQ to manipulate the bass but an amp is not where you want that.

How would that be implemented?

which amp is it?

The brand doesn't matter, what matters is their claim.

Leeliemix

· #5 · Aug 27, 2019

Out-Of-Phase said:
How would that be implemented?

The brand doesn't matter, what matters is their claim.

Its very unlikly they have.
But it could be done just like in an analogue pre amplifier with a bass boost knob set at a fixed value, but again its unlikly to be more then a slight voicing if that.

The claim ist probably just something to make people notice but its difficult to say without any context to the line.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Ratman

· #6 · Aug 27, 2019

Back in the old days... we had a button (yes! a button which you actually had to push) on the front panel for "bass boost" (or some similar term). Did a fine job without the price tag.

Reactions: 1

DonH50

· #7 · Aug 27, 2019 (Edited)

My guess is marketing based on a little science. Namely, the Fletcher-Munson loudness curves that show you need much more power for bass, thus marketing can say anything that adds more power is a "bass factory".

It is also a "treble factory", "midrange factory"...

Reactions: 3

Out-Of-Phase

Discussion Starter · #8 · Aug 27, 2019

I was really hoping some experienced audiophiles would jump in here and explain this to me, perhaps some hi-end sales people. They have the required knowledge and golden ears for a thorough explanation.

Ratman

· #9 · Aug 27, 2019

No explanation other than "marketing".
Provide a link to the advertisement and/or the make/model of the "bass factory" amp. " Experienced Audiophiles", high-end sales personnel will provide golden ears experience to explain.

Reactions: 2

Ex JL Rep

· #10 · Aug 28, 2019

The amplifier could have built-in bass boost/EQ that you cannot turn off. Rockford Fosgate used to do it in their car amps. Perhaps they still do. That skeers me

If that's the case, I would not recommend it. I think those should be included in receivers, preamps, and other processors BUT not amplifiers. I think a power amp should be flat, a clean slate for the musicians and music producers to paint a picture on.

Reactions: 1

Tyler Dobson

· #11 · Aug 28, 2019 (Edited)

if theyre advertising anything besides high quality components or well known reliability(powersound, QSC, crown, etc,.) its likely just advertising jargon...then again, for a very good power amp, it costs

Behringer NX series are the best bang for your buck (but the cheap price comes at a reliability sacrifice)

if theres anything cheaper/watt than a behringer, stay far away or assume it will both under deliver on power, and crap out on you quickly if you push it

crown amps are where you start to get higher reliability/lower (if not non existent) fan noise

Reactions: 1

markmon1

· #12 · Aug 28, 2019

Out-Of-Phase said:
I was really hoping some experienced audiophiles would jump in here and explain this to me, perhaps some hi-end sales people. They have the required knowledge and golden ears for a thorough explanation.

You seem to be intentionally keeping the amp secret, so your responses are vague and general. Would be great if you just pasted a link to the amp. Not sure what the big secrecy is.

Reactions: 2

torii

· #13 · Aug 28, 2019

years ago I had an audiocontrol epicenter. it was a volume knob that made low bass increased. its still being sold and works really well imo. https://www.crutchfield.com/S-REra8UuDB6E/p_161EPICEB/The-Epicenter-by-AudioControl-Black.html

Ex JL Rep

· #14 · Aug 28, 2019

torii said:
years ago I had an audiocontrol epicenter. it was a volume knob that made low bass increased. its still being sold and works really well imo.

- Those came out years ago in the tape and vinyl days. With the hi res sound available today (and DVD and Blu Ray is high res), it's probably not necessary. The bass can be there, even on older recordings.

I have a Carpenter's DVD.....that was jazz from the seventies...it has plenty of bass.

But I guess if you listen to old recordings and can't get them in hi res, or they are poor or lean recordings, it could be helpful.

m. zillch

· #15 · Aug 28, 2019

I think the amp advertiser is a baseless (claim) factory.

Reactions: 2

Out-Of-Phase

Discussion Starter · #16 · Aug 28, 2019

markmon1 said:
You seem to be intentionally keeping the amp secret, so your responses are vague and general. Would be great if you just pasted a link to the amp. Not sure what the big secrecy is.

Not being secret. There's no need for any brand name, you don't need it. It's an electrical device. It's a math and science question.

GrandPixel

· #17 · Aug 28, 2019

Um. It’s just a name they came up with. You’re reading way too much into it.

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Out-Of-Phase

Discussion Starter · #18 · Aug 28, 2019

^^^ Um, I know it's a name they came up with, but why? I want to know why scientifically.

I thought the audiophile world was formed on purity and transparency.

Ratman

· #19 · Aug 28, 2019

Out-Of-Phase said:
The other day I saw an advertisement for an audiophile brand power amp that claimed it was a "bass factory".

Your input please.

Where did you see the advertisement? Provide a link.
I can't understand what the big issue is by revealing the product name for what you're asking about.
If you aren't comfortable, then why bring up the question/subject?

On AVS, you know the question would be asked. Provide purity and transparency.

m. zillch

· #20 · Aug 28, 2019

Out-Of-Phase said:
^^^ Um, I know it's a name they came up with, but why? I want to know why scientifically.

The scientific reason is that research, such as focus groups of consumers filmed behind one-way mirrors, have discovered that when asked, "What's most important in good quality sound reproduction?" people respond as follows:

90% say "DTB" [deeper, tighter bass]

5% say "MAM" [more accurate midrange]

4% say "TOT" [terrific, open treble]

1% say "How expensive the DAC is."

So obviously marketers focus heavily on some variety of DTB in advertisements.

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