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
Dear Scott: +++++ " So why does almost everyone put the sub behind the satellites??? Aesthetics? Convenience? Sound? " +++++

I don't know for sure: sometimes for convenience, some times for sound or aesthetics.

When I start the integration of my subs I try at the corners ( behind the main speakers ) but does not work: bass too heavy. I try in line ( outside and inside ) with the mains: terrible. I try others room location till I finish with boths subs in front of the mains facing each other and in " open air " position.

If you take a look on speakers designs some of them have their woofers in a side of the cabinet facing each other: NHT, Coincident, Gallo, etc....

I know that everything about is room dependent but by coincidence like six months ago a friend of mine call me to invite to hear his new purchase: Velodyne DD-18. He owns ML with Levinson electronics.
He explain me all the DD-18 features ( very interesting ) and how easy to find te right position in any room and he explain me that the best position of the DD-18 was in the right corner behind the main speakers and front/firing.

Then we start to hear some music: classic, Jazz, rock, etc.., the sound was good but not good enough for what the system " have to offer ". Something was " wrong " with the bass ( only one subwoofer ).

I suggest him to put the DD-18 side-firing instead front-firing, we do that and Voila!!! the bass problem disappear. He do the measurements through the hardware/software in the DD-18 and he find that side-firing do an improvement in measurements too. Coincidence??

I don't have a sound degree to explain why the side-firing position could improve the bass response, but it works.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Sirspeedy: +++++ " .If anyone wants to add "good" low frequencies,to an already good speaker,then the technology is readily available.The problem,to me,on this thread,is that some of the recommendations may scare away some potential music lovers,with the inference of needing 2 units,or additional crossovers.It is simply NOT true. " +++++

The problem is not on this thread. The problem is your approach about, you are talking of something really different for what this thread is all about.

The thread is extremely clear and is not a thread for to " add good low bass " like you say, this subject is for other different thread.

I urge you to read again an very carefully this link thread:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&openflup&27&4#27

Here are the targets of this thread. Your concept is an old one ( I respect that ) an different from the whole subwoofers subject explain in this thread.

Please don't be or don't do that others people can be confused about.

Of course that the integration of two subwoofers in a true stereo way has its own trade-offs: need space room, two subwoofers, money, ettc., but what we can get for these trade offs in quality sound reproduction you can't imagine and every trade off about is justify. This is up to what any one want to have about music sound reproduction through their own audio system.
I can assure you and to any one: nothing come close to the integration of two subs in a TSW. Period.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Raul,please don't preach to me.My thoughts certainly DO apply to this thread.I seldom see threads that stick,EXACTLY, to the exact subject.I,personally,like to see other "RELATED" viewpoints on subject material,that interests me.That is how one can come to a related piece of info,that could add a different perspective,to a topic.Which may be helpful.We are still talking about low freq performance,and if I can help to persuade someone that they do not have to fear complexity,or additional costs,of two subs,if they can implement one,than that's all my intentions are!!I fail to see your problem with this!

As for the 2 sub issue!!Raul,I have owned some of the BIG Infinities in the past!My friend's have these,as well as Pipe Dreams,with 4 subs.So I know exactly what you are talking about.That being said,I'll still stick with my previous comments,that one does NOT have to have two subs.It is room/main speaker related!Unless you simply must listen to movie soundtracks,all day at 110 db.Then Raul,you'll have to consider 4 units,like my friend has in his Pipe set-up.How about it?Ever hear 4 in your room?The little ceramic figures on your coffee table would not survive(that's a joke,btw)!
Dear Sirspeedy: I understand what you mean and I agree with you.

+++++ " .We are still talking about low freq performance " +++++

Here it is our differences: you are talking about low freq performance and I'm talking about the whole frecuency range where the low freq is only a part of it. That's all.

+++++ " So I know exactly what you are talking about. " +++++

Maybe here is the problem: that you " think " what I'm talking about, but your posts tell me others things. Who knows?

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Raul,as per your last thread,I finally DO get your point,which is valid.Best wishes!
Speedy!