Do you think you need a subwoofer?


Why almost any one needs subwoofers in their audio systems?

I talk with my audio friends about and each one give me different answers, from: I don't need it, to : I love that.

Some of you use subwoofers and many do in the speakers forum and everywhere.

The question is: why we need subwoofers ? or don't?

My experience tell me that this subwoofers subject is a critical point in the music/sound reproduction in home audio systems.

What do you think?
Ag insider logo xs@2xrauliruegas
Very interesting topic, Raul. Based on the responses here from you and Eldartford I'll be holding on to my 10t's for quite a while! These are good down to 28Hz, assuming a good supply of current that is. It's funny since this was always the most frequent complaint about these speakers, "the bass is too loose because of those 12 inch woofers". Now, I have spent a good deal of time and effort building DIY tube traps and absorbers to help treat the room responses and I also use the heavy Aerial stands. It seems to me that speaker designers sometimes shy away from really strong low frequencies because this makes them difficult to place in many rooms, with no control of treatments or flexibility as to placement, and get them to sound good quickly, as in the case of demonstrations. I mean, the first thing I have learned about sound and speaker placement is that you have to control the bass response if you want the mid and high frequencies to sound good and proper. I assume that this is very much true of systems that use strong SW's.

I know that many times when I go to concerts, even an all accoustic night with Godsmack, I do here more bass than what I would normally think I should here. Other times I here bands playing in small venues. I always come away thinking that the bass was too prevelant or the overall sound was too bright. But I have come to believe that this thinking on my part is due to my expectations from listening within my own specially treated and tuned environment. Yes, we do need to here these low frequencies when they are present to get the feel of a live performance.
Dear Dan ed: +++++ " you have to control the bass response if you want the mid and high frequencies to sound good and proper. I assume that this is very much true of systems that use strong SW's. " +++++

THis statement is absolutely true.

The control of the bass response is important but to have that bass is really important too, with out it we can't have proper stereo music/sound reproduction and can't enjoy the complete pleasure of hearing MUSIC.

I know your 10t, and I like it, and you can do a huge improvement in the quality sound of your system with the integration of two subwoofers.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear friends: This is something important issue that I want to share with all of you:

As you can read in my " system " I use Pneumatic suspension insulators from Audio Technica in my Micro Seiki TT and Van Slike insulators in my two Acoustic Signature TTs, both type of insulators do an excellent job with my TTs.

Last week I receive two additional sets of the same model of Audio Technica insulators. So I installed on the TTs and then the Van Slyke were with out job.

I ask me what could happen if I install below my subwoofers?

What a great surprise: these Van Slyke insulators do wonders in my system. Now I have a cleanest low end, not only more tight but " more bass ", better pitch, better image system, less bass overhang, etc...

This was a revelation for me and in my system. Of course I'm truly happy about.

I'm using the Van Slyke Tri-Orb Heavy ( TOH ), three of them in each sub. Three of them support around 200lbs and four of them over 500lbs: this is important because you can use the Tri-Orbs like the footers/insulators of your whole system raks: think about.

This is the site: http://www.vsengr.com/triorbs.html

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Greetings Raul,

You seem to be the resident subwoofer expert. I own a pair of Avantgarde speakers (110dB/watt sensitve) designed to have 2 small subs per speaker, however, due to cost constraints, I only have one small sub per speaker. With bass heavy or extremely dynamic material, the subs obviously clip and is quite noticeable. I am currently augmenting the subs with a Velodyne HGS-18 Series 2 with very good result. I am thinking of getting another Velodyne HGS-18 (or DD-series) and have a stereo sub set up, retiring the low powered Avantgarde subs in turn. Am I on the right path or should I just buy another pair of the Avantgarde subs instead? Your thoughts please....

Best regards!
Hi Raul,

Thanks for your comments about how to hook up the 2 subs in stereo - it makes sense, just send one channel to each sub (either RCA, XLR, or high level).

However, your response did give me another question...

It appears as though you advocate using a crossover to take the low freq. information away from the main speakers (only have the sub handle low freq, as opposed to running both subs and speakers full range). Do you use the built-in crossover in the subs, and run your speaker cables from your subs to your main speakers? Or do you use some other crossover? If you use another external crossover, do you have examples of appopriate products? If the main speaker is a monitor that is -3db at 40hz, is it really necessary to use a crossover?

Thanks,

Todd