Shake off the cobwebs - give your HiFi system a good workout!

In this video, I share two very short recordings I made of a bass tuba and a contrabass tuba. These deep and magnificent instruments are ideal for giving your system a workout! Can you amplifier control the detail in the bass for the duration of the sustained notes and does your system manage to fill your room with the sound of these magnificent instruments?
Link here to purchase (free of charge) your download of the 24bit recordings of the two pieces:
shop.pearlacoustics.com/produ...
Link to my recording of the CU5 Brass Ensemble playing: Ricochet by Kerry Turner: • Video
Note: the first piece is taken from Vaughn Williams Tuba Concerto in F: Spotify link: open.spotify.com/album/4nR3Ou...
If you would like to find out more about Pearl Acoustics and our Sibelius loudspeakers, please visit our website at: www.pearlacoustics.com
or email us with your questions: [e-mail]
Social media links:
/ pearlacoustics
/ pearl.acoustics

[@TheCharlesAtoz]

Harley!! Nice to have you back, you've been missed.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks!

[@shipsahoy1793]

Oh, I already commented, but I just wanted to add that it’s interesting how smaller bookshelf speakers that don’t quite dig as deep as the floorstanders can still reproduce the instrument well, but that feeling of depth is not there; you perceive that you’re hearing the sound, but you’re not “feeling” the sound. Good stuff.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks. That’s a really good way of putting it.

[@rajeshkanan3884]

It's a huge experience with my ears

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks

[@oldschoolaudioenthusiast]

Very cool Harley. Pipe organ music is also a great low bass workout. Bach Toccata & Fugue in D minor for example. Be well!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Absolutely! Thanks for your kind comment

[@stimpy1226]

It reminds me of close encounters of the third kind.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@jeromedavies2408]

Somebody wrote a paper about it. "OF SHARKS AND SPACESHIPS: THE ROLE OF THE TUBA IN JOHN WILLIAMS’S FILM SCORES FOR JAWS AND CLOSE ENCOUNTERS OF THE THIRD KIND" "My research aims to shift this focus by demonstrating that Williams used the tuba in his scores for more than typical “underscoring” or standard sectional playing, but as an integral part of the film narrative to be noticed and “read” by audiences."

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@jeromedavies2408 thanks for sharing this. I learn something every day!

[@WeeWeeJumbo]

I think no matter what your musical taste is, you probably have a strong reaction to deep bass

[@PearlAcoustics]

Absolutely

[@stephenbrickwood5148]

A chap local to me makes these fancy avant-garde carbon fibre speakers which I was able to demo, the track he chose was quite a revelation and I just want to pass it on: Jazz Variants by La Bamber the o-zone percussion group. Give it a whirl around 1/2 volume, should be plenty!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Ok will do! Thanks for the tip

[@petedawg]

Might I add Nenad Vasilić to the list of suggestions? Bass Drops is a personal favorite.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Oh, I will check that one out. Thanks!

[@vincentvlk8289]

Welcome back and thanks for great video and test tracks, have a nice day!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks, you too!

[@garysmith8455]

Fine tuba demo! I believe that last note is a B flat. It is also the 11 speaking pipe of a pipe organ's 32 foot (final octave) pedal Bombard stop (O: Bottom CCCC would be the happy 16 Hz. frequency. 😉

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks! 😀

[@joeb6723]

"a wind quintet in Antwerp". I love it.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Did you see their video, I put a link in the description

[@carlitomelon4610]

Tonight in Montana US before the fireworks get unbearable to my Brit ears!

[@joeb6723]

@@carlitomelon4610 What are brit ears?

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@joeb6723 (British;-)

[@joeb6723]

@@carlitomelon4610 Ya ever heard of earplugs?

[@johngault-9597]

That tuba left me speechless and deaf...

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@ianmedium]

A track I have listend to for over forty years is Sky’s Tuba Smarties which is not only a joy to listen to but also seems to refresh my system!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Oh I don’t know that. I will check it out. Thanks!

[@ianmedium]

@@PearlAcoustics it´s from their second album sky 2. there are some cracking songs on it including Toccata where Tristan Fry does an incredible drum solo.

[@Ricky-cl5bu]

Brilliant

[@PearlAcoustics]

🙏

[@blairholmesproductionsinc.9432]

Love this one, Harley! Thank you!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks! You’re very welcome

[@dusanbenco6237]

I downloaded these two great tracks. Thank you so much!

[@PearlAcoustics]

Glad you enjoyed them!

[@archiemacdonald553]

just love you videos Harly so educational 😊

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks. You’re very kind

[@iloveaviation-burgerclub-a8145]

Bookshelf speakers can be really good sounding instruments. They give a really good idea of what a base instrument sounds like. And if you like the idea you buy some new floor standing speakers.

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@kesagatame]

This content was an enjoyable surprise and gave my my basement listening room quite a shake! Thanks and always great to see you.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you. Very kind. I hope your house has strong foundations!

[@carlosquijano2827]

Funny, I enjoyed that low low tuba 🎉! Thanks.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍🙏

[@mrpositronia]

Thanks. I love hearing low notes, so this is nice. It reminds me of testing my system using 'Thanks to you' by Boz Scaggs. I thought my speakers couldn't go that low when I first heard it. My system was the Cambridge CXA60 and Tannoy XT6F speakers. But after I swapped the Cambridge for the Lyngdorf TDAI-1120, my speakers found it very easy to push out that low note and fill the room. So it was the amp all along. :)

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re very welcome. Strange isn’t it that it was the amplifier. You probably know this already, but for those who don’t, it is easy to explain. Most Amplifiers can not continuously amplifier very low notes, they need to store energy in capacitors, and if they become empty they can not sustain the amplification. (This explanation is over simplified and it depends on the type of amplifier. Class D (or ‘switching’ amplifiers do not tend to have this issue - hence the improvement when you switched).

[@mrpositronia]

@@PearlAcoustics Ah, thanks for the explanation. It makes perfect sense. 🙂

[@christophernoto]

Thanks! Always a pleasure to see a new video from you! My current favorite of bass instruments is the basset horn, a sort of bass clarinet. Stockhausen wrote some very nice music for the instrument. 🎉❤

[@PearlAcoustics]

You’re very welcome. Indeed a great (if under represented instrument)

[@The_Original_Geoff_B]

Loved that through my HD660S 'phones (NVA headphone amp) - as it is almost midnight now, I'll leave the speaker test until tomorrow 😀

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂 good idea!

[@jdm-uk-yank]

It was great meeting you at the Northwest Audio Show. I loved hearing your speakers. My daughters really enjoyed speaking with you. I'll have my oldest bring her own John Denver album next time.

[@PearlAcoustics]

The pleasure was all mine. Until the next time. 😀

[@markovlasic1978]

good lesson , sir. i have DIY transmission line 8 inch drivers at 2 ohms. Powered with germanium handmade amp at 1 and 2 ohms. This sounds amazing without any distorsion in sound at higher volume. Also, i can clearly hear the room reverb effects. Amazing.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks!

[@PetraKann]

I was listening to the tuba sounds in my car. Amazing low tones…..

[@PearlAcoustics]

Video in the car? 😀

[@PetraKann]

@@PearlAcoustics In Australia we are care free and relaxed and like winning cricket matches. (....actually I was parked at the time, having my lunch😁)

[@tigertiger1699]

🙏🙏 cheers… timely… I have playing with Hifi coming up.., family away 3 weeks 😂👍🙏

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@jackgraves1006]

I like this Telarc Jim Hall recording, "Buy Arrangement." They do a version of Ruby My Dear that has a tuba. Really nice recording IMO Early digital but think it sounds great. Really enjoy you videos.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks! I will check out your suggestion!

[@jonathandavis9507]

I love this driver exercise. I see you have the cameras securely locked down this time! 😅

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂🙏

[@adskn]

The first solo was from Vaughan Williams tuba concerto if I’m not mistaken

[@PearlAcoustics]

Oh… I didn’t know that, I just asked him to play a few notes! That is possible, I would have to look it up… good catch!

[@adskn]

​@@PearlAcoustics If you like the tuba, the concerto is a must listen. Instantly recognisable as Vaughan Williams but the tuba solos in particular take it in a different direction.

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@adskn I have just started listening to it. What a wonderful work, I didn’t know it! (I have also put a Spotify link to a performance of it. Nice!

[@PearlAcoustics]

open.spotify.com/album/4nR3Ou0d4oCnvipnXc6tmL?si=QqhD7PdKTiy7b7VIbArDKg

[@aryanazih8867]

Oh gosh I was at work when I saw your notification. Meanwhile I was telling myself I'm gonna have a good 40 minutes video from you 😮😢 then I realized that it's the shortest video 📹 ever 😂 ... Beggars not be chosers . I missed you and even this 5 minutes will work for me Have a nice day 🎉

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀🙏

[@fernandosierra7798]

Wow.....very impressive low bass......My Cambridge Audio AeroMax 2 can go down to 40hz.....and surprisingly they did a good job playing it

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for sharing

[@paulinboston]

Harley the workout trainer. Where are your short-shorts and a tank top?

[@PearlAcoustics]

You really don’t want to know! 😂

[@carlitomelon4610]

Thought he was going to play Pachabel canon in D for the first few notes... Will check out later on LS50/REL 2.2 system. I'd love to hear the ensemble recording. Time to market through the Pearl acoustic label, Harley? 🎵🎶🤔🎶🎵

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks. There is a link in the description to the ensemble recording. It was made for a competition entry that the ensemble were applying for.

[@KXP70]

How was it? And which RELs do you have?

[@carlitomelon4610]

@@KXP70 B3 and T2 Not too impressive off compressed KZbin. I'm too lazy to get it off the website. Maybe tomorrow. Groundation's new album on Qobuz has phenomenal bass! ,🎵🎶😉🎶🎵

[@myk6694]

yip interesting, & amusing

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks!

[@spunkthecombo]

Thank Lawrence for the scales and thank you for the download! What did you record it on? Love your channel.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thank you! You’re very welcome. I have a complete mobile recording studio. I use Roland R88’s with a mix of Audio Technica and AKG microphones. (If you see the ‘making a recording for Gilu’ video, you will see how I work.

[@spunkthecombo]

@@PearlAcoustics I've noticed the recorder bring a Roland, just didn't know the model number. Thanks

[@shipsahoy1793]

That was very interesting. I don’t use subs for either pair of my stereo floorstanders (in different locations) and the -3 dB of each is 37 Hz and 25 Hz for my “ref” set and they both did a great job. I also have a pair of bookshelf speakers on stands that are alleged to be -3dB of 48 Hz, bought specifically for lower SPL use without the aid of subwoofers, and I was happy to note that they handled the instrument quite well considering their limitation. Obviously, I didn’t want to exceed around 85 dB SPL 😉🤣 👍Thanks for the video!👨🏻 PS) Full disclosure.. I employ subwoofer only for HT use😉

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks! What an interesting set of test you made! Were they from the downloaded files?

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PearlAcoustics I just used the audio from the video .. Was that a mistake? Would I have had better results if I retrieved the files?

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@shipsahoy1793 I think you would because KZbin compresses audio, and the audio tracks are high res, uncompressed. But I admit it’s a bit of a fiddle downloading them, our webshop asks for some details, we’re trying to make it easier for free stuff, but that will take a little time.

[@shipsahoy1793]

@@PearlAcoustics Ok, thanks, I just did a little investigation and it seems I’m only streaming at 16bit 44.1 kHz, so yeah, I guess a 24 bit audio file would’ve been more appropriate, and also, I don’t even know if KZbin allows CD quality, so if you say it’s compressed, then that makes it even worse, but that said, it may be enough “quality” to pretty much get the gist of what we were trying to achieve here. Thanks again for the sharing.👨🏻 👍Have a great summer!

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@shipsahoy1793 thanks!!! Hi, you’re absolutely right! But the difference should not be much. Enjoy your summer too

[@Caleketa]

Lovely video, i want to add something. Arvo Pärt Berliner Messe. Track 11, The Beattitudes, the church organ goes also extreme low. I use this track for a “ shake down “. 😉

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks for your kind comment and for the tip. I will definitely check it out.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Listening to the Berliner Messe right now, what a beautiful work. Thanks for the suggestion.

[@Caleketa]

@@PearlAcoustics enjoy the listening.

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@Caleketa 🙏

[@charlesf2804]

My speakers are rated down to 30Hz (24Hz in an anechoic chamber), so I imagine they'd cover most of what I just heard. I'd not want to blast it, however (neighbors, plus the speakers are 30 years old!).

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂

[@johnmcdevitt9797]

Without a solid foundation dare I say a somatic capable speaker foundation in the 250hz frequency range and below, without this you are only fooling yourself if you think the sound is complete. Bass frequency regions of music are imo the most difficult challenge for speakers / system equipment to champion due to the physical nature of low frequencies. I prefer the low's be reproduced without use of a subwoofer(s) with a acoustic environment that is inert to the resonance effects. Just me and the visceral lows when called on. Room acoustics + speaker design acoustics + driver spec acoustics is a lot to master. Finding a speaker with the desirable bass quality quantity + a preferred mid-range high frequency response is a bit of headache in itself. The coherent factor of single driver speakers is my preference however the bass factors and the ability to portray complex music and scale via a single driver solution leaves me wanting. I admire your speaker design from a purist perspective, the full range single driver mindset is imo the holy grail of hifi speaker design unfortunately the physics gets in the way, relegating the holy grail of audio reproduction into basically two grails you position over your ears aka headphones

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi John, thanks for your comment, I totally understand your point. However, I would love to offer you the opportunity to hear our loudspeakers because the one thing everyone (including reviewers) is totally shocked about is the speed, detail and depth of our bass (flat at 38hz). Absolutely no need for a sub woofer! 😉 Best wishes from Belgium

[@thomasfi1275]

Nice 😂😂😂 Harley, I would like to ask about the progress of the pearl acoustics tube amp. 😉

[@PearlAcoustics]

Thanks! The tube amp is coming in nicely… we’ve had some delays for parts, we expect the ‘final’ prototype to arrive in our test location in a few weeks. 🤞 the project has taken way longer than we had hoped. I hope we can ship in September.

[@thomasfi1275]

@@PearlAcousticsmaybe a short teaser video of the amp🤔 would be cool 😛 Thank you again for all your brilliant videos 🙏🏻

[@PearlAcoustics]

@@thomasfi1275 thanks

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

🙋‍♂️HARLEY …later when the wife 👩🏻‍🦰 is away … I WILL PLAY 😁😎💚💚💚

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂

[@budgetaudiophilelife-long5461]

@@PearlAcoustics I GOT THE OPPORTUNITY LATER 🤯😎👍THANKS AGAIN

[@richardlegris2271]

what piano piece is in the intro ?

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi it’s a piece called Philia by Stefan Meylaers, the credit is given at the end of the video

[@roofpizza1250]

Funny, just yesterday I was thinking of a bassoon tho in reality it was a contrabassoon to get really low.

[@PearlAcoustics]

👍

[@RetroPlus]

This must be the fabled brown note

[@PearlAcoustics]

I think that is way lower between 5-9Hz… perhaps something for a later video 😀

[@ElderPinto254]

neighbours touht the boat came in to harbour

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂

[@cruzingrsx4484]

I haven’t had my speakers stretch there legs In a very long time hopefully they haven’t gotten to fat & lazy because there about to get a serious workout.

[@PearlAcoustics]

😂

[@jeffkalina7727]

And for the Qobuz subscribers???

[@PearlAcoustics]

? Hi, sorry, I don’t understand your comment. The original recording files are available for download from our website for free. The work is not published so cannot be uploaded to channels

[@jimsimon5706]

Hello. Forgive me for using this you tube ness to basically send you an email... It has nothing to do with this video, other than I'm giving my hi-fi an absolutely earth-shattering work out! I wonder if you'd be minded to share some of your experience with me? I could email into Pearl Acoustics, but the online form might not get to you, Harley, in the same way, or even in the same spirit as you seem to enjoy sharing here. It's about cartridges/arms... a difficult and subjective area, but I get the distinct impression you both know what you're talking about and have wide experience. And, that you are interested in stuff. My usual Garrard 301/ Denon DL110/Linn Basik LVX/Kinshaw Perception LP playing is, right now, being out-enjoyed by my stepfather's 301/Decca ffss mkii/Decca arm straight into my Audio Note Soro SE Signature's MM input. Out enjoyed... but outplayed? The Decca has that transient hit, the clarity that you will know, but it does seem to be a bit lacking in deep bass - is that likely to be right? I mean it's what I'm hearing, but is that a likely Decca thing? I suppose to truly compare I should go into the Kinshaw, but I have that set for the Denon... perhaps I will go into all that at some point. Also, there is a narrow sound stage compared to the Denon. But, it really is tremendously present, and so lively, if a bit thin? So, I'd be grateful for any thoughts you might have on the Decca and whether I should expect what I'm hearing. Also - if I like all that the Decca does, but want that bass and width as well ... what cartridge/arm would be likely to do that (I'm sticking with the 301). Again, sorry for this appearing here. Cheers, and HNY.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi, wow… that’s a question. In all honesty, it’s been a very very long time since I heard a Decca cartridge. What I do remember though is just how good they were for their day, and that when combined with their own arm, the elliptical stylus could track really well. But I am guessing the Denon should behave similarly. I have a Linn Basik IV with a Sure 97ex on one of my turntables, and I find that combination excellent. Also Hanna cartridges seem to offer good results. But it’s really impossible to advise. Believe it or not it can also be down to room acoustics and feedback through the pick up arm etc. and so many other factors. Your set up might sound better at your father in laws! 😉

[@RogierYou]

1st 😊

[@PearlAcoustics]

😀

[@YKsfo]

Went through the hoops of filing all my personal info to make a *purchase* and….nothing. Annoying. Strange marketing strategy

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi, very sorry to hear this, it should be possible to download without too much fuss, we tested it yesterday. However, the team are re-working the site to avoid all this. Believe me it is not a marketing decision but a technical restriction. If you contact us via the website, we will send you the file via wetransfer.

[@PearlAcoustics]

Hi - just a quick update…. The web team have made the whole process a lot easier, now you can simply download them without going through a checkout process. Hoping this resolves your issue?