Full range or subwoofer with bookshelfs for best bass at low to moderate volume?

The only empirically proven method discovered to date for providing very good bass response that is well dispersed throughout any given room is the use of a Distributed Bass Array (DBA) system.  

<< cough cough>> Hahaha. Hahahah. Hahahahaha. Let's ignore all of the literature on the subject to date.

Getting good bass is no joke, and (DBA) has merits, but typically room acoustic treatment + EQ is the solution and yields very very good results when done properly.

When it comes to a large full range vs. Satellites+Sub, the best solutions are usually satellites + subs, BUT!!! What a pain to do right. I mean, there are technical advantages, in being able to place the sub separately, and being able to put an EQ in front of the sub without altering the mains, but it is a lot harder to do than just dropping a sub into the room.

My usual answer is get a really good 2 way. :) Mine are flat in-room to 25 Hz or so.

There is also the issue of loudness. If you have a receiver, having a loudness control is a really good thing at low volumes. Otherwise, you want a speaker with a smile-shaped response which will be great at low volumes, and then be uncomfortable at higher levels.

Denon used to have a wonderful loudness control for this.

Best,


E

DSP is a digital nanny not necessary for great sound, and it’s also generally a box of circuits your precious little signal runs through to allow the imposing of its designer’s opinion on all of your gear. My ego won’t allow it as I’m a pro concert sound engineer (also worth noting, a close friend has a well regarded DSP system in his rig and since he’s NOT a live sound engineer and in fact utterly hopeless about such things, I get it…although I think his rig sounds better with the DSD off). Although the lengthy articles preceding me may have covered this, it’s not that hard to get great sound with a sub, and the REL subs I use (apparently also the Vandy’s mentioned previously) get their tone from the amp driving the main speakers which is a good idea, but might not be all that important under 40 hz or so. I like the idea anyway. Distortion is minimal or, better stated, unnoticeable, and all you have to do is move the sub around until it sounds right to YOU. I use 2 RELs and I think that does help with standing waves (the sloping and very tall ceiling in my room also helps) , and I adjust the REL’s levels from time to time to deal with bass heavy or bass light recordings. My main speakers are efficient designs driven by an SEP amp and do 40hz before dropping off, and that’s right where I run the subs.

Guys, if you hate crossovers, get a sealed 2-way,plus a sub and don’t use a crossover at all.  Run the satellites full range, and only use a crossover and EQ on the sub.

You won’t get big gains in the amp's dynamic range, but you will avoid the electronics being in the way.

Best,

E

My new-ish current speakers (Sonist Recital 3s) use a simple first order "cap and coil" system with "real good" Snake River internal wire. They're efficient, dynamic, and need dusting from time to time.