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2 subs in a small room?

I recently added a REL T/5i sub to my system and have been very happy with the results.  Integration was a breeze and I am now more engaged in my music than ever.  So of course being a typical audiophile, I got to thinking if 1 sub sounds this good will 2 sound even better?  The challenge is my room.  Its very small at 9' w x 10' l x 9' h.  The back wall is about 3' high, above which it opens up to the rest of my house.  I have bass traps in this room.  Right now, using just 1 sub, my freq response from 20-1000hz is +- 2db with a -4db dip at 200hz and a +4db hump at 40hz.  Not perfect but my system still sounds amazing.

I know the general consensus is a second sub will sound better but I am concerned with the size of my room.  Will adding a second sub in such a small space over power it or will it actually help to smooth out nodes?


128x128tboooe
meerzistar
232 posts
 
The room will load up easier being smaller, two subs is a great idea, big room small room dont hesitate.
tboooe's avatar
tboooe OP
1,009 posts
 
Thank you for the great response martykl.  So how hard is it to integrate a second sub?  I have read from others that setting up a second sub is difficult and an EQ is a must.  
coli
291 posts
 
In my room, 2 subs actually produced worse frequency response than 1. Getting rid of the extra sub proved costly...
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Tbooe,

Doing it by ear will usually take time.  It's a bit of a PITA, but I've done it successfully several times.  Unlike Coli, I've never failed to achieve smoother FR with a second sub.  If you use an SPL meter or a RTA, it's much easier.  

These days, I use Audyssey.  It's certainly not an audiophile approved method, but IME it's a 100% foolproof, no-sweat method of smoothly integrating one or two subs into a system.
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,602 posts
 
Tbooe,
I like your avatar.
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