Single vs Dual Subs

Lou,

I recently spent about 6 or 7 months researching subs; listening when I could and studying test results as well. My quick take:

1) Audyssey, SVS/Audyssey, Velodyne SMS allow parametric EQ below the x-over frequency. The benefit in seamless integration and smooth deep bass (i.e. "fixing your room")is amazing. If your pre/pre-pro/receiver doesn't have this feature, I'd budget $450 (Velo SMS) to $800 (SVS/Audyssey) to add it.

2) 2 subs have many benefits - at your budget, I'd definitely go that way.

3) I spent a LOT of time with the JLs. They are great subs, but expensive. The Hsu product looks good, but the SVS subs appear to be superior all around performers for similar $ (caveat: based on test results here -not listening sessions). I did a lot of research and picked the Rythmik subs (which are very satisfying in my music only system), but if I wanted dual use - music AND ht - I'd probably go with the SVS.

Good Luck,

Marty

BTW,

I suspect that any of the 12" models from Rythmik, SVS, or Hsu will be satisfying. The Rythmiks don't test as well below 35hz (as a practical matter, this is strictly HT territory), but they allow variable damping that's proven quite useful in system matching/fine tuning. In actual use, my pair of 12" subs reproduce 25hz test tones at high spl without breaking a sweat. They'd also go well below that if I adjusted the EQ and susonic filter to allow it.

As far as the LFE goes - try it both ways. Depending on your room and the main speakers in use (with the attendant selection of the best x-over point) it may, or may not, make a difference.

Marty

Didn't this issue come up in a series of posts a short while ago? One of the posters cited the Harmon web site. Their expert advice based on psychoacoustic research differs from that given in these posts. Given that LF has little or no directional information, a high quality sub well placed is usually sufficient except for very large spaces. Well placed is often in a corner. You might Goggle harmon, where you will find a series of technical papers dealing with various aspects of audio, including LF reproduction.

db

db,

I don't know the paper in question, but IME 2 subs vastly simplify the task of achieving smooth response. In room, you WILL get peaks and valleys which can be smoothed (to an extent) by varying the location of your sub. When you have the option of varying the location of 2 subs (and their phase/polarity), the chance of significantly mitigating all major anomalies is much greater. Again, IME.

Marty

The actual performance of the sub itself may also benefit significantly from the addition of a companion, depending on room size and placement (as you noted), as well as desired spl and program material.

Dbphd
Most subs are crossed oved at a point high enough where the sound is directional.