Do I need a subwoofer?
Hopefully I’ve framed this in a way to help people answer. Up until recently I have had a combo 2-channel/home theater system (Krell preamp with home theater bypass, Bryston 5 channel amp, PSB Synchrony 1s bi-amped speakers, Marantz home theater receiver, Power Sound Audio XV15 subwoofer, Oppo CD player). I wanted extra oomph for surround sound movie watching and occasionally some rock music, hence the sub. I was never really impressed with the XV15 sub (have it for sale now). It is insanely large and I wasn’t sure it was adding the oomph I expected, even after having a local hifi shop owner come out for a listen and tune.
What’s changed: A few weeks ago I inherited my late father’s B&W 801 speakers circa 1980, which I have put in place of my PSBs and am enjoying thoroughly despite the age difference.
My questions: (1) would a sub still be of value in my setup (I still like a lot of bass) and (2) what might folks recommend?
Thank you.
@mijostyn Little salty? I did not quote any specs that was cindyment.
That is not how it works. Every frequency is "down" at 3 meters, but depending on cancellation, room response, it could be up at 26. |
@jerryg123 , You are right in that the volume of a point source system drops of at the cube of the distance at all frequencies. You are also right that a room can increase bass at certain frequencies at various locations depending on the room. However, drivers have a frequency response range, a range where they can effectively radiate the frequencies they are responsible for. What is the low frequency limit of a woofer? Woofers do not have electronic high pass filters. They will vibrate at 10 Hz even though they are incapable of radiating that frequency usually because they are too small or they can not move far enough. If you stick the microphone right up to the driver say 1/2 inch away you will be able to see 10 Hz on an oscilloscope at some volume. As you move away that volume will drop of rapidly way faster than the cube of the distance. By a meter you will not be able to measure it at all. As the woofer gets larger (in an appropriate enclosure) and moves farther you will pick up 10 Hz louder until finally the volume is up to the rest of the frequencies at one meter. But at distances farther away the lower bass limit will rise or rather the volume at 10 Hz will fall off faster then the rest of the frequencies. This is why the specification for frequency response is so misleading. Just because a speaker's 3 dB down point is at 28 Hz at 1 meter does not mean it will be 3 dB down relative to the other frequencies at 4 meters. Under most circumstances the 3 dB down point will head north. At 4 meters it might be up at 40 Hz. |
I was debating between the REL and Rythmik Subwoofer. I went with Rythmik due to the lower extension (down to 14hz) and fine-tuning capacity for integration. I appreciate the High Pass Filter to reduce the woofer excursion on the mains, enhancing clarity. You might like considering them while you're researching: https://www.rythmikaudio.com/ |
@imaninatural Thank you, I will add Rythmik to my list. I've seen their name come up a few times now. |
When I took the journey into the sub world I kept hearing 2 are better than one and 4 are better than 2. I'm very pleased that I heard it over and over. I asked many about subs but unfortunately many viewers and no answers. Thank you millercarbon for the knowledge you provided me. I always thought just one very expensive sub, but you set me straight and made my path easier, I appreciate that when no others replied. I sincerely mean that, I literally had hundreds of views and you and a few replied. Erik was also contributed and I really appreciate that. I am here for the knowledge, not the combat between long time jealousy. |
