BlackGround 8x Speaker Base dual channel version and BlackGround 10x Speaker Base single channel version are plug-and-play speaker line conditioners like no other. They are based on the innovative new BlackGround modules developed by LessLoss. These ready made Speaker Base products house 8, or 10, respectively inter-connected BlackGround units. The elegant, polished, lacquered, and streamlined enclosure is plug-and-play ready. No user assembly required. Simply connect ground and tap the speaker signals from either your amp's terminals or your speaker input terminals. Width 375mm, Depth 230mm (add a few mm for the connectors at the back), Height 55mm (add 38 mm to the height if you use the Bindbreaker equipment feet). Weight: approximately 6 Kg. For connection instructions, see the descriptions below.
BlackGround 8x Speaker Base dual channel version and BlackGround 10x Speaker Base single channel version are plug-and-play speaker line conditioners like no other. They are based on the innovative new BlackGround modules developed by LessLoss. These ready made Speaker Base products house 8, or 10, respectively inter-connected BlackGround units. The elegant, polished, lacquered, and streamlined enclosure is plug-and-play ready. No user assembly required. Simply connect ground and tap the speaker signals from either your amp's terminals or your speaker input terminals. Width 375mm, Depth 230mm (add a few mm for the connectors at the back), Height 55mm (add 38 mm to the height if you use the Bindbreaker equipment feet). Weight: approximately 6 Kg.
As I anxiously await a pair of Blackbodies & pair of DIY Blackgrounds with necessary cabling, I continue to be surprised by the improvements all the other LessLoss products have made. The following list reflects which LL product has had the largest positive impact to my listening experience & not the order I purchased them.
1 - 10x Blackground Power Base
2- Stellar Entropic Firewalls for Loudspeakers
3 - 8x Dual Channel Blackground Speaker Base
4 - Entropic Speaker cables + Entropic Jumpers
5 - Stellar Entropic Power Cables
6 - 640x Entropic Power Modules
I have been a supporter and believer of LessLoss product since 2023.
I am currently using BlackGround 10x Power Base, BlackGround 8x Speaker Base, Firewall 640x and also 5 Stellar power cords….
I took the opportunity of the upgrade program to upgrade 5 pcs of Entropic Classic power cords to Stellar.
My setup is streaming based and I was using the Entropic Classic to connect to LessLoss power distributor, streamer, usb regenerator, network switch and 10x Power Base.
When I initially switched from my old power cords to Entropic Classic, the experience was a revelation..the feeling of “live” performance..the background is so quiet yet lively at the same time..the other improvement were increase in depth and width of music..and big reduction in digititis…please note that I am only streaming music through tidal and I am already getting this much of satisfaction.
Now, upgrading from Entropic Classic to Stellar power cord, what I experienced is a definite improvement over Entropic Classic..the improvement I experience in Entropic Classic applies here and are further amplified.. I also experienced increase in dynamics and increase in bass quality and bass output..the increase in bass feels like I have upgraded my amplifier or speaker. What really impress me is on vocal..vocal is much much improved over Entropic Classic..to the point there is really no listening fatigue. The glare that I normally experience in digital setup is gone. Previously there are certain artist which I find it hard to listen to, such as Celine Dion Immortality..i had to lower the volume when the songs reaches chorus/climaxes as its too piercing to my ear.. but with Stellar, I no longer need to lower the volume..in fact, I can increase the volume now and hear even more details than before.
All in all, the upgrade to Stellar was a worthwhile one and I greatly recommend this product.
BlackGround 10x Speaker Base - Single Channel version
What do you do when you have reached the point that your system seems perfect, and you think there is NO WAY there could have any more transparency, depth, decay, texture, grip, extension, tonal purity, liquidity, bass, micro/macro dynamics, or emotional impact?
After adding the BlackGround 10x Speaker Base - Single Channel version I found the answer. Some changes are just incremental, while others are transformational, or revelatory. The change that I experienced could only be described as TELEPORTATIONAL. All of the existing system attributes were magnified in such a way as to induce an altered state of total whole mind/body involvement. The sound has a new level of dimensionality which is absolutely mesmerizing. The Blackground for Speakers simply allows the entire system to breathe without restraint. Hearing such an expansive breadth in nuance and dynamic impact makes each song sound as though it was never completely appreciated before, while at the same time allowing for complete immersion not just in the sound; but in the music itself. My initial impression was that every component in the system had received a major upgrade. I am still in the infatuation stage, but make no mistake, this is a serious wholesale sonic upgrade. What more could be asked for? Oh yeah, there is always the Stellar power cord upgrade. How could it still get any better?
See review dated 2/23/23 By Joshua J. Wright for context.
New Updated Associated Equipment:
The entire system has evolved over the last 19 years. The only original components that still remain are the speakers and upgraded version of Audiopax Model 88s which were upgraded to MkII status in 2009 by Eduardo De Lima. Every component listed below including the cabling, electrical conditioning, vibration control, and room treatments were all selected after careful auditioning and confirmation of their sonic synergy with the overall system. Consequently, each addition has advanced the sound in a desirable direction. Many components have come and gone to arrive at its current state.
Avantgarde: Trios with stereo Bass horns.
Audiopax: Model 88 MK II Monoblock Amplifiers.
Roon: Nucleus music server.
Lumin: U1 music streamer.
Berkeley: Alpha DAC Reference II with MQA.
Kuzma: Stabi - S - With AC Motor Controller
Kuzma: 4 point 9 Tonearm
Hana: Umami Blue cartridge
AQVOX: Blaze CAT 7 ethernet cable on all internet connections.
AQVOX: Ethernet Switch (between internet router and Lumin streamer).
AQVOX: USB Detoxer QL2 - USB Terminator Type A (Applied to empty USB ports on the back of Lumin, Router, and Oppo)
AQVOX: Detoxer Fuse - Audio Tuning Fuse (Applied to Berkeley DAC, and Lumin music streamer’s power supply)
AQVOX: LAN-Detoxer RJ45 Caps, LAN Caps, Network Decontamination (Applied to unused open LAN ports on switch & router)
Netgear: Nighthawk 6-Stream AX5400 WiFi 6 Router (RAX50)
S-Booster: MKII Power Supply (Used to power Roon Nucleus)
PS Audio: Signature BHK Preamp.
PS Audio Stellar Phono Preamplifier.
PS Audio: Stellar M1200 mono amplifiers.
PS Audio: Stellar Power Plant 3 (Used to isolate and power the fiberoptic internet converter, internet router, and the Roon server)
Video: Oppo UDP-205: Universal DISC player.
High Fidelity Cable: Ultimate Reference Double Helix Signature Power cord. (Used to discretely power the PS Audio: Stellar Power Plant 3, which powers fiber optic internet converter, Internet router, and Roon Server)
High Fidelity Cable: Ultimate Reference Double Helix Signature RCA and XLR Interconnects on line level analog and digital components.
High Fidelity Cable: Professional Series power distributor. (Used as a Component Power conditioner and star grounding block)
High Fidelity Cables MC-1 Pro Double Helix Plus Signature Power Conditioner (Used as a Wall socket line conditioner)
High Fidelity Cables MC-0.5 Power Conditioner X 3 (Used as a Wall socket line conditioners)
LessLoss: ENTROPIC C-MARC Reference Power Cables to all source components, C-MARC Reference PCs to amplifiers.
LessLoss: ENTROPIC C-MARC XLR Interconnect Cables to Pre-amp
LessLoss: Custom made ENTROPIC junction box jumper speaker cable allowing for discrete connections to the bass, midrange, and tweeter, drivers on the Trios, as well as the basshorn subwoofer driver connections.
LessLoss: Firewall For Loudspeakers (6 pairs, one for each driver on the Trios)
LessLoss: Blackbodies (3 units)
LessLoss: BackGround 10x Power Base
LessLoss: BlackGround 10x Speaker Base - Single Channel version
Room treatments:
ACS: Two 20 inch diameter stereo Super tube traps in front corners.
Corner ceiling traps X 8.
Grand Prix: Monaco Equipment Stands with Apex footers and ceramic ball bearings.
Grand Prix: stand legs filled with ferrous steel shot. (Per recommendation by Louis Motek) Previously filled with lead shot
Grand Prix: Equipment stand shelves upgraded to custom made 3/4 inch ferrous green glass. (Per recommendation by Louis Motek) Previously acrylic
Herbie’s Audio Lab: equipment footers, shelf spacers, and tube dampers.
After my initial experience with the BlackGround Power Base 10x in February and March, I had my doubts that another one of these beautiful wooden boxes would help. In fact, did I need any help? The answer turned out to be yes - indeed.
The areas the 8x Speaker Base has improved are darker background, focus and imaging. With the Speaker Base, I can now fully enjoy choral works. Individual voices are laid out in the soundstage. - plus - all of the reverberations are better heard. It sounds quite amazing!
In addition, when unpacking and installing, I enlisted the help of my wife, who commented: "wow that is a nice looking piece. It sure looks better than a black piece of metal."
Richard Stanton
Boston, Massachusetts USA
Congratulations on the Speaker Base!! I feel it’s your most impactful product thus far! It’s uncanny!
This is the first 'tweak' that diminishes that subtle 'edge' and grain (that I thought was implicit in streaming/digital). While that sounds small, it is the first time I can hear the sweetness and tonal color of a violin and massed strings; also the noise floor has dropped (equivalent to QSA Silver levels - big!), allowing me to hear things I never heard before, and the subtle timing cues that communicate emotional intent. Last, space - the soundstage has expanded, and instruments are just 'there' (hearing the hall sound more explicitly - indeed the decays are magnificent!). Small sonic changes but huge musical gains. I hear NONE of the softness that 6 Moons heard from the mains Blackground (indeed, I don't hear that with mine) - to my ears, 'PRAT' and emotional involvement have improved! I get however that some might hear less 'edgy' transients - but to me, that is more natural and realistic.
We'll, I must admit I wasn't prepared for how much the Blackground 8x Dual Channel Speaker Base would contribute to the already spectacular 10x Power Base. From the moment I heard the first track, I knew I was in for treat. It's as if you're able to reach out and hold each note & vocal in your hands. Never has the listening experience felt so tactile. Now if you'll excuse me, I have to pick up my jaw from off the floor!
Single channel means that you will have all 10 onboard BlackGround modules available for a single loudspeaker signal. A single loudspeaker signal is made up of both positive and negative polarities (Red and Black terminals accordingly on your amp or speaker posts).
So, if you will be using this single channel version on your stereo set of speakers, you will need two of these units. One for right channel, one for left channel. We will sell these at a 5% discount on both if you get them together.
Now let's zoom in for a closer look at these.
Viewing the 10x Speaker Base from the back, we see, from left to right:
An IEC C14 power inlet for an optional power cord. This has the sole purpose of grounding the unit. In this unit, the Live and Neutral pins float internally and do not provide power to this passive device. The device consumes no power, and power voltages do not enter the unit's schematics.
Two grounding terminals. These are for bridging the ground potential from a BlackGround Power Base device. Our Grounding Cables are recommended for this application. Either of the grounding terminals can be used. If grounded in this way, no power cord is needed.
A positive polarity terminal. This should receive the positive (red) signal from the amplifier.
A negative polarity terminal. This should receive the negative (black) signal from the amplifier.
Above you see the internal wiring schematic for the BlackGround 10x Speaker Base. As you can see, the Live and Neutral pins of the power inlet are not used in this device.
How to connect in three easy steps
(1) Connect the amp's positive polarity output to the "+" marked terminal of the 10x Speaker Base.
(2) Connect the amp's negative polarity output to the "-" marked terminal of the 10x Speaker Base.
(3) Connect a ground potential from your building ground to either one of the grounding terminals of the 10x Speaker Base, or use any power cord which has ground provision.
Repeat for your other audio channel and with a second 10x Speaker Base units when used in stereo applications.
BlackGround 8x Speaker Base - Dual Channel
So now let's take a look at the 8x Speaker Base - Dual Channel version. In this case if you have a two channel system you only need this one single unit.
Viewing the 8x Speaker Base from the back, we see, from left to right:
An IEC C14 power inlet for an optional power cord. This has the sole purpose of grounding the unit. In this unit, the Live and Neutral pins float internally and do not provide power to this passive device. The device consumes no power, and power voltages do not enter the unit's schematics.
Two grounding terminals. These are for bridging the ground potential from a BlackGround Power Base device. Our Grounding Cables are recommended for this application. Either of the grounding terminals can be used. If grounded in this way, no power cord is necessary.
A first positive polarity terminal. This should receive the positive (red) signal from one channel of the amplifier.
A first negative polarity terminal. This should receive the negative (black) signal from the same channel of the amplifier.
A second positive polarity terminal. This should receive the positive (red) signal from the other channel of the amplifier.
A second negative polarity terminal. This should receive the negative (black) signal from the same other channel of the amplifier.
Tip: It is recommended to use two Grounding cables with banana terminations instead of two full fledged power cords to ground the 10x Speaker Base units, in order to save money, because most users will already own a BlackGround Power Base unit and will be able to ground directly from Power Base unit grounding terminals to their 10x Speaker Base units' grounding terminals. Therefore, no power cords on the 10x Speaker Bases are even needed. Also, it is a waste of funds to use two power cords if only the ground legs of each power cord will be used. The IEC C14 power inlet is provided only for such cases where no Power Base is used in a given system, and it is deemed that power cords represent the easiest way for the user to ground the 10x Speaker Base units.
Above you see the internal wiring schematic for the BlackGround 8x Speaker Base - Dual Channel version. As you can see, the Live and Neutral pins of the power inlet are not used in this device.
How to connect in five easy steps
(1) Connect the amp's positive polarity output to the "+" marked terminal of the 8x Speaker Base.
(2) Connect the amp's negative polarity output to the "-" marked terminal of the 8x Speaker Base.
(3) Connect the amp's other channel positive polarity output to the "+" marked terminal of the 8x Speaker Base.
(4) Connect the amp's same other channel negative polarity output to the "-" marked terminal of the 8x Speaker Base.
(5) Connect a ground potential from your building ground to either one of the grounding terminals of the 8x Speaker Base, or use any power cord which has ground provision.
Tip: It is recommended to use a Grounding cable with banana termination instead of a full fledged power cord to ground the 8x Speaker Base, in order to save money, because most users will already own a BlackGround Power Base unit and will be able to ground directly from a Power Base unit grounding terminal to a Speaker Base unit grounding terminal. Therefore, no power cord on the 8x Speaker Base is even needed. Also, it is a waste of funds to use a power cord if only the ground leg of it will be used.