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Need Advice on Subwoofer Selection

Let me say up front that I'm not a bass freak but I've come to the point, regrettably, where I'm considering the addition of a subwoofer to my system. I say regrettably because I've always felt that subwoofers were an ersatz way of achieving full range sound quality and that a properly designed 2 or 3 way speaker in the appropriate room should provide more than adequate bass. And indeed, that has been the case for me with both my ProAc 2.5s and ProAc D38s in various room set ups.

Now, however, I find myself relegated to using my ProAc D2 bookshelf speakers in a rather large and not so well damped room. And despite breaking these speakers in for many hours with the Granite Audio, Ayre and Purist Audio burn in CDs along with the addition of some Primacoustic isolation pads, Van Den Hul speaker cable and driving them with a 250 watt per channel Hegel integrated amp - alas, the overall sound is a bit bass shy.

Because I am very fond of the ProAc brand, my inclination is to simply go with ProAc's ER1 subwoofer. However, as much respect as I have for the brand, the Proac sub has not been updated for 9 years and I have to believe that there has been enough advancement in subwoofer technology that a subwoofer superior to Proac's might be available at a similar price point.

It does appear to me that "speakon" connectors capability is the way to go. I'm looking for something with a small footprint and would be loathe to go with a driver any larger than 10 inches. To end range of my budget is $2,500.

Any advice would be most appreciated.
rathmullan
jkuc
181 posts
 
I recommend REL sub, hi-level connection obviously. I used Velodyne sub but was not happy with it in stereo, great for HT though. I had quality issue with it also. Rel is more musical, probably one of the most "music friendly" subs, easy to integrate with a system.
Your Proac 2.5 or 38 would benefit from a sub as well. Sub in a system is not only deeper, tighter bass but improved soundstage, more open, more "air", more micro detail.
You have to set the crossover properly, most people set it to high.
rhljazz
1,255 posts
 
You can buy a pair of Gallo TR1D's for 1200.00. They have a small foot print and a small face profile since they are round. They are super easy to set up and just plain kill my previous REL sub.
I'm using speaker level inputs and run my mains full range. The TR1D produce bass when called for and never sound heavy or slow. They will follow a bass line like a bloodhound.
eldulcesol
197 posts
 
I'm using a pair of MJ Acoustics ref200 with synergistic ref speakon and subwoofer rca cables with WB Arcs with very good results. It also has a remote control with four presets which simplifies adjustments when needed. You can also use the speakon high level and low level rca simultaneously for better tuning as each has its own crossover and volume setting.
jdub39
497 posts
 
Give a Ken Kresiel DXD808 a listen, it has the foot print your looking for and at under 2K, it has dual 8" drivers in push pull configuration with 375 watt mono blocks for each speaker and extension down to 10hz. I own its bigger brother the DXD12012 and its the accurate lowest distortion sub I've heard and the reviews say the same.
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