Thu Jun 18, 2009 2:08 pm
Amazing Discovery
Maybe this will be a helpful finding or incentive for someone:
I have a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum Mark IV speakers that I have own new since 1992. I have been running them with a Hafler 9500 (250 wpc into 8 ohms) amplifier. I have always enjoyed my system but always felt the bass was lacking some. The bass could be found, but you really had to crank the system to get to it. I recently came across and purchased two Hafler DH-500 amplifiers with the bridge kits installed for a steal. Just to compare, I unbridged one of the amps to compare it to my 9500. They sound very much alike, but I found the DH-500 slightly weaker in the bass. I am not sure if this is due to the older main capacitors or not (I plan on replacing them just because).
Then, I re-bridged the DH-500 and ran both of them mono (750 wpc into 8 ohms). FINALLY, I can hear the benefit of the Platinums. They are Amazing. Even though unbridged the DH-500 was light in the bass, bridged it is a different story. The bass is great now and all the way through the volume range. It is immediately noticeable. I feel as though I have only been hearing 4 of the 8 woofers in the Platinum pair, and now I am hearing all 8! Before, it was if the ribbon was more prominent than the woofers. Now, it is a perfect balance. I had considered selling my Platinums due to the light bass, Not anymore.
I have been listening to my CD collection all over again. My favorite to hear and FEEL what these can do is Nickelback - All The Right Reasons, especially track 2, Fight For All The Wrong Reasons. There are three areas in this song where the whole room shakes. Must be experienced!
I only gained about 3-4 db in volume, but the fullness and richness of the sound is a tremendous improvement. They are now definitely a joy to listen to.
So, for any of you Platinum owners who are not impressed with your speakers, GET SOME POWER TO THEM. You will not be disappointed.
I hope this will give someone the courage to get more power to your Carvers. I am sure glad I finally did.
Scott
I have a pair of Carver Amazing Platinum Mark IV speakers that I have own new since 1992. I have been running them with a Hafler 9500 (250 wpc into 8 ohms) amplifier. I have always enjoyed my system but always felt the bass was lacking some. The bass could be found, but you really had to crank the system to get to it. I recently came across and purchased two Hafler DH-500 amplifiers with the bridge kits installed for a steal. Just to compare, I unbridged one of the amps to compare it to my 9500. They sound very much alike, but I found the DH-500 slightly weaker in the bass. I am not sure if this is due to the older main capacitors or not (I plan on replacing them just because).
Then, I re-bridged the DH-500 and ran both of them mono (750 wpc into 8 ohms). FINALLY, I can hear the benefit of the Platinums. They are Amazing. Even though unbridged the DH-500 was light in the bass, bridged it is a different story. The bass is great now and all the way through the volume range. It is immediately noticeable. I feel as though I have only been hearing 4 of the 8 woofers in the Platinum pair, and now I am hearing all 8! Before, it was if the ribbon was more prominent than the woofers. Now, it is a perfect balance. I had considered selling my Platinums due to the light bass, Not anymore.
I have been listening to my CD collection all over again. My favorite to hear and FEEL what these can do is Nickelback - All The Right Reasons, especially track 2, Fight For All The Wrong Reasons. There are three areas in this song where the whole room shakes. Must be experienced!
I only gained about 3-4 db in volume, but the fullness and richness of the sound is a tremendous improvement. They are now definitely a joy to listen to.
So, for any of you Platinum owners who are not impressed with your speakers, GET SOME POWER TO THEM. You will not be disappointed.
I hope this will give someone the courage to get more power to your Carvers. I am sure glad I finally did.
Scott
