Monitor with sub or Full Range Speakers

Revrob

For me, the great advantage of subs is that you can EQ room problems in the bass (where they're worst) without disturbing the main signal path any more than you decide to. Choose mains that roll off high enough, and you can run 'em full range. Or you can use the line level low-cut of your choice.

At $3K, a pair of SVS or Rythmik (my choice) 12" subs will cost app $1300 and a Velodyne SMS-1 controller/PEq will add $450. Add the <$1500 (used) monitor of choice and my guess is that you will get more neutral, wider bandwith in-room response than any full range alternative at similar cost. Just MHO.

Good Luck.

Marty

Although I use monitors and a sub (see system), I have to say that there is something about a full range speaker. I will also say that for the price (and a small room) monitors and a sub bring something else to the table. Again I will agree with the others above, much depends on room, and how the sub integrates with your monitors. What is interesting is if I did own a set of full range speakers, that when down around 25-30hz, I would still fill the need to get a sub. Rel says that any speaker that cannot produce bass below 20hz can benefit greatly from there subs.

Agree completely with Macd's comment, shared from REL, about REL subs used with speakers that do not go below 20hz. I use a REL B-2 with my Verity Fidelio Encores. Although I greatly enjoy the FE's even with the REL turned off, the combination of the FE's with the REL is just so much better.

IMHO, it's not whether to use a sub or full-range mains, but how you integrate the sub with the mains. I personally prefer towers with a powered sub. But not just any sub. I had a Def Tech PF15 for many years, and the bass was always boomy, undefined and lagged behind the rythm of the music. I patiently waited for two Vandersteen V2q subs to come up for sale locally on Audiogon, and I couldn't be more pleased. Two might be a budget buster for you, but used, they usually fetch between $750 and $850, and you must purchase in-line hi-pass filters from a Vandersteen dealer after you use the temporary x-over to dial it in (another $120).

Although my Vandy 1Cs will not be my last speaker, the V2q subs are staying forever, that's how pleased I am. Read about this sub on the Vandy web site - they have a unique design that really allows a seamless blend with your mains. They are also designed to work in a corner, and do so quite well, eliminating the need for a lot of experimentation. Bass is tight, detailed, deep and tuneful. Best of all, the V2q does not call attention to itself; the bass seems to energize the room, but only when there is deep bass in the source material. It's not a thumping boom box, but for music, I could not imagine a better subwoofer value.

Add a pair of Vandersteen 2Ce Sig IIs ($2000 new) to this sub and you might really like the results. The V2q should blend well with any mains that have decent output down to 40Hz and 86 to 100 dB efficiency ratings.

Oops - sorry - the Vandersteen subwoofer model is 2Wq.