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Will I benefit from a subwoofer with 20Hz speakers?

My source is a minidsp shd studio with Dirac going into Denafrips Gaia DDC to Denafrips T+ DAC to McIntosh 601 Monoblocks to Cabasse Pacific 3 speakers. The speaker's published frequency response is 41-20,000Hz. I presume this is achieved in an anechoic chamber. In my room however, it goes down to 20Hz, at least according to the Dirac measurements. In fact, I needed to flatten the curve and  reduce by 5-20 DBs between 20-100Hz due to the room effect.

So, considering I already go down to 20Hz, is there anything else 1 or 2 subwoofers will do for my system?  Would it create a more consistent low frequency field? I see many people adding up to 6 subs, so I wonder what I'm missing. 

Thank you for your insight! 

dmilev73
headphonedreams
524 posts
 

@tablejockey I have heard the smaller Pearl speakers that look the same. A few thousand watts of class-d amps makes sure they are VERY dynamic!

I am not sure they went down to 20 Hz in that room but the bass that I heard was Impressive. Drums were really good. Of course they managed voices and other things well also. Just $30k.

gregm
3,405 posts
 

Hi @dmilev73, to echo 1 or 2 posters above,

  • No, you definitely do not need subwoofers in your room
  • I would lift the 20-30Hz by a few dB and lose 6dB 90-60kHz, more or less as per @erik_squires wisely suggests above
  • Bass absorption looks like a plan: you have serious modes in the early 30 Hz & a suck-out a little over 100...

I like those speakers!

djones51
4,947 posts
 

To get a better picture of what's going on use REW and do a measurement with Dirac on and off.

clearthinker's avatar
clearthinker
1,582 posts
 

Speaker manufacturers need to quote frequency range within decibel limits.

If Cabasse quote 41Hz at the bottom end it might be -3dB or -6dB, or worse.  Whatever, at the usual rate of roll-off there will be nothing at 20dB.  If OP is hearing a significant signal then it might be room effect but more likely check his Dirac.

For those interested bottom B on a Steinway Model 6 is 31Hz.  The bottom of a string or electric bass is 41Hz.

Those wishing significant musical output down to 20dB definitely require sub-woofers with these Cabasses.  I wonder what instrument they are listening to.

jl35
3,975 posts
 

I usually find if someone is asking if they need subs, they are not satisfied with their current bass...

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