A turntable is a component of a sound system that consists of a device for rotating rigid discs so as to reproduce recorded sound. The phrase “turntable” usually refers to the device itself, and not the physical record (the vinyl disc).
Millions of people enjoy music and this includes those who love vinyl records. However, it’s obvious that there are many listeners who would like to improve their listening experience with better bass response from their turntables.
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What causes low bass?
External interference such as excessive noise or rumble can interfere with bass performance. The position of speaker drivers can also affect low-frequency response; speakers should be positioned at ear level and pointed toward the listener for best results.
What can be done to improve low bass?
It’s important to understand the concept of decoupling as a method of preventing external interference from affecting bass performance.
The simplest way to achieve better low-frequency response is by adding a subwoofer. Subwoofers are relatively easy to install and configure, and provide an improved listening experience. Subwoofers can enhance bass performance even more by changing the placement of the loudspeakers.
Most subwoofers are capable of producing very deep, powerful bass when used with multiple loudspeakers at different locations in the room. This is especially true in larger rooms where they can fill up space or create an impressive sound field when used with multiple speakers in series or parallel.
Tips to Get More Bass from Your Turntable:
1. Use subwoofers
The subwoofer looks like a bass speaker. The subwoofer is not attached to the turntable directly. It includes its own amplifier and speaker driver, which is mounted in a box or cabinet with a large bass port or vent.
The subwoofer speaker box should be located away from the turntable itself, preferably behind it. Most home record players can create sound via its speakers by connecting it to an audio amplifier. This connection is the input of the audio amplifier.
The output of the audio amplifier goes back to your speakers and record player (the input). The output of the audio amplifier is connected to the LFE bus in your home theater receiver or AV receiver.
2. Upgrade to speakers with more bass:
Once you have a subwoofer, you may want to upgrade your speakers to ones with more bass capability. If your current speakers are underpowered for any reason, they will not provide the same response that they did when new. Audio engineers refer to the bass response of the speakers as “sensitivity”. Speakers with higher “sensitivity” can reproduce deeper bass than less powerful speakers.
3. Use a turntable mat:
A turntable mat is what you place on top of your turntable to help absorb vibration and protect the table from scratches. It usually sits on top of the platter and is placed between the platter and the record.
This thick flat disc helps isolate vibrations that cause rumble and distortion. While this won’t make any significant changes, it can improve sound quality by reducing unwanted noise.
It’s easier to set up high-end turntables with built-in vibration isolation systems such as heavy, non-resonant glass platters or softer foam mats rather than trying to add them to existing designs.
4. Increase the stylus tracking force:
A turntable stylus is a needle-like object that helps transmit the audio signal from the record to the pre-amplifier. The higher the tracking force, the more solid and stable it can track a groove. In other words, a higher tracking force gives louder sound with less distortion.
You should adjust this for different types of records, especially if they have been stored for many years. A good starting point is 2 to 2 1/2 grams because older vinyl discs tend to be softer and more flexible than newer ones.
5. Move speakers closer to the back wall:
Vibration is a problem with turntables and it’s caused by the record being pressed against the platter. One way to reduce vibration is to decrease the distance of the record playing surface from the turntable.
When you place speakers in front of flat surfaces such as walls, they will vibrate when they hit them because they vibrate when you turn up a volume on your stereo or amp. For turntables with built-in speakers, you can use heavy-gauge material such as cork, felt or denim in order to dampen vibration and improve bass response.
6. Surround your turntable with bass-reflex speakers:
Surrounding your turntable with high-quality speakers will improve its overall sound quality because it will eliminate external interference by amplifying incoming signals at the same time.
High-quality speakers with bass reflex port(s) will provide deeper bass and more precise sound reproduction. You can also try to use speakers with diffusion or reflector panels on the rear of the cabinet.
Conclusion:
The turntable is the turntable and it should last for a long time if you take care of it. You can change the turntable needle easily and replace the turntable belt as well as upgrade other components if needed.
If you like listening to vinyl, your turntable should be heavy and stable. The tone arm should be easy to lift and return, and be well designed for precise tracking. Also, consider the tonearm cables as they are an important part of any turntable setup. In general terms, avoid plastic parts that move because they will wear out quickly or break during use.
FAQ:
Q: How can I improve the sound of my turntable?
A: Wobble elimination can improve the turntable’s sound; bass will be deeper, better defined and overall clarity will be enhanced. Next, if you have a bubble level, use it to make sure the turntable platter is perfectly level (side-to-side, and front-to-back).
Q: How important is the gain on a turntable?
A: And selecting one with higher gain over one with lower gain will have a significant impact on the music volume. Especially if you are using the preamp that is built into the turntable or a very inexpensive standalone one, chances are that the gain and output level are quite low.
Q: How does my turntable output line level signals?
A: The cartridge on your turntable outputs what is called a phono level signal. And your CD player (if you still have one) or iPhone outputs a line level signal. A line level signal is about 100 times stronger than a phono level signal.
Q: How do you keep a turntable from wobbling?
A: Wobbly furniture is a huge no-no; put the turntable on a solid shelf or stand. If you can move the cabinet, even a little with a push of your finger, try this: tightly wedge a few paperback books between the back of the furniture and the wall. The goal here is to eliminate any possible lateral movement.