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1 or 2 subwoofer for small room & placement

I have read that 2 sub-bass systems will yield better results compared to one in 2-channel stereo setups. Is this applicable to a small room of say 11.5'x17'x9'? Or one sub will probably be more than adequate and yield better results compared to 2 subs which may be too much for a small room?

I know experimenting is the key, but if sticking with one sub, which is the most preferred placement that will produce the best results? At the extreme corner of the room close to wall boundaries, or in between the main speakers at the middle in almost free space? I have tried both and slightly prefer the sub in between the speakers in free space. I'm curious to know which configuration is mostly adopted.

Lastly, are the active crossovers in the REL Stadium/Stentor subs made of high quality parts for use in high-pass configuration(in rolling-off bass to the main speakers)? Concern is with the sub's crossover inserted in between the preamp and power amp that may sacrifice sound quality if it's of inferior quality.

Any advice from knowledgable folks would be most appreciated.
ryder
shadorne's avatar
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shadorne
7,477 posts
 
IMHO, it depends...two low quality subs might cost the same as a single high quality sub but may not sound better. Obviously two identical subs should play louder and more accurately than a single sub - but integrating them will be more difficult. Another factor is room acoustics...a single sub may already be enough in a small room.
timrhu
2,779 posts
 
Good question. I recently began experimenting with a sub in my music-only system. The sub between the speakers sounds much better to me than the corner placement. My sub is a Velodyne SPL-800II, love the small size, but I also have concerns about using the subs crossover for the same reasons you state. The bass produced in my small room seems adequate but the thought of a sub on the other side is intriguing.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
I use two subs, however...I've found that two are not really needed unless you are going to cross them over at a fairly hi crossover point, ie...80HZ and above.

My subs and mains blend great at around 65hz in my room. They are behind the main speakers, and you really can't tell if one is turned off...I've tested it in the past.

Subs should be located near the mains for music, I've never liked corner placement, although I'm sure corner placement works fine in some rooms...and with some subs (not mine though).

Dave
jomik
11 posts
 
Corner placement of one sub can smear the soundstage; the higher the crossover freq the more it can imbalance. For my room the most musical location is centered between the speakers and with almost same distance from front wall as the mains. This enhances soundstaging and still good two channel bass. For home theatre and movies corner placement will give most impact. For music best arrangement for corner placeemt is two subs.
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