More Power or use subwoofer to boost bass for music

Thanks @jl35 @bonsai15 for suggesting REL subwoofers. I just checked out their website and they seem very nice. I was thinking about trying out SVS SB16-Ultra. It seems to get a lot good review. But somehow REL got mentioned quite a bit in this discussion, so I will trust your recommendations.

One thing about REL that might be a show stopper for me is the down firing passive driver. Let me just share a quick story with you guys. Just a couple of days ago, I decided to give my old 1990’s era DefTech subwoofer (250 watt & 15" driver) a try and hook it up to play music with my B&W speakers, and I also pushed the subwoofer farther into the corner of my living room. I was messing with the gain switch a little to get some good thumping out of it. Later that evening the building manager sent out an email to all residents that he received a complaint from some residents that they hear very loud bass music coming through their wall, and reminded us this is against condo rule. I’ve been using my subwoofer for TV and movies for years and this is the first time I get a complain so I need to be very careful going forward. I think pushing the subwoofer farther into the corner might be the main culprit. Anyway, I immediately ordered a pair of SVS SoundPath Isolator from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00NCSQ5GK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1 Does anyone have experience with these? Do you know if they work?

Anyway, back to the REL subwoofer, I’m afraid the downward passive driver might be a problem in my situation. Unless maybe I can stack it on top of my old sub.

Xcool wrote: "Later that evening the building manager sent out an email to all residents that he received a complaint from some residents that they hear very loud bass music coming through their wall..."

My guess is that the heavy passive radiator moving up and down was effectively transmitting its vibrations into the floor itself, whereas if that motion had been in the horizontal plane the vibration transmission to the floor would have been much less.

In addition to avoiding vertical cone motion, you might consider the use of an isolation platform such as the Auralex SubDude. It is designed to very significantly reduce the transmission of vibrations to your floor.

Air-borne vibrations are more of a challenge because that’s what sound waves are. One possible strategy would be to place the subwoofer as close to the listening position as possible, so that you don’t have to turn it up quite as loud.

Duke

Hello @erik_squires ,

     Well, I guess we’re all fan boys of something. You seem to be a big fan of acoustic room treatments in general and GIK in particular. I’ve read many of your posts over the years praising both. I’ve always considered your posts interesting, informative and earnest. I’ve always just assumed you had treated your room most likely with GIK products, experienced very positive results and thereafter often recommended them to others due to their efficacy.  I never thought of accusing you of having ulterior motives.
     Have you ever considered that members of your imaginary Swarm Cult may have just independently followed similar paths as you after experiencing very positive results with their DBA systems?

Tim

Hi Duke, thanks for the suggestion on Auralex SubDude.   I wonder how they compare to the SVS SoundPath Isolator that I just ordered.  They are both highly rated in Amazon.

Also they both seem to reduce vibration to the floor.  I wonder by reducing that, will it also reduce vibration to the wall.   Do you have any suggestion on reducing vibration to the wall behind and to the side of my subwoofer?  Would acoustic panel or bass trap help?

Thanks.  

On topic... I have an Auralex subdude in my bedroom and while it seems to help with isolating the bass to that room, don't expect miracles. Bass waves carry. How many times have you heard the bass from a car half a block away? If it's too loud, others are going to hear it. 

@erik_squires It's unfortunate when one or more people suggest there's only one "best" way to get good bass. It's also unfortunate that you've seen fit to classify all proponents of a multiple sub setup as belonging to a "cult", especially since you display "fanboy" tendencies towards certain products, in particular, GIK Acoustics.

It's a bit of hello Mr. Pot, meet Mr. Kettle.

I use 4 subs in my main 2 channel system (5 for movies). I also have room treatments (not GIK). Going to a four sub setup was transformational and one of, if not the most noticeable upgrades I've made. 

I have three other systems, each of which has ONE subwoofer. For my goals for those systems and the rooms they are in, one sub is enough. I've also shared more than once on this forum that one of the best systems for bass that I've ever heard was at a friend's house. He uses two subs and extensive room treatments. 

When it comes to bass, there's more than one way to achieve great results. Besides, "great" is subjective...