To really get a handle on what's happening in your room, you'd need a sound pressure meter and someone who knows how to use it. Then again, I look at the dimensions of your room (enormous, incl. height); read reviews of your speakers (clearly not intended for a room that large), and it become simpler. You may not want subs, but that's your answer. Subs would relieve your system of the need to fill this giant space below 50-60Hz (a losing battle). If I were you, I'd get a used Marchand crossover (XM9, crossed over low, ~400/500US used); plus 1 X SVS SB1000 ($499 US) to start. You can always get a 2nd sub later. Remember, you're not looking for massive SPLs from the sub, just enough low-Hz presence to lift the rest of the system (which BTW is really excellent in quality). If/when you finally had the $$ for a 2nd sub, the whole picture would be complete.
Help wanted: Bass!
I’m in need of augmenting the bass in my system. I’m the old school type and would rather NOT go the sub route.
My system and environment:
• Pre: Conrad Johnson Premier 16LS
• Pwr: Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono Blocks
• Pwr Condtnr: Shunyata Hydra
• Speakers: Tannoy Kensingtons
• Cabeling: Stealth PGS IC’s, Vandenhull Bi-wire Speaker wiring
• Sources: Conrad Johnson DV-2B CD Player, SOTA Star w/SME arm w/Grado cart, Magnum Dynalab Tube Tun
• Music: Classic Rock, Easy listening, Female Jazz singers, Classical
• Room: Big (25 X 30) w/cathedral ceiling. Harwood floors/ceiling and big glass windows. Rugs and furniture
Came across the Emerald Physics Bass Manager claims to add 1/2 octave of bass to any speaker. IYO, could that be a solution? Are there similar helpers like this out there? Not much in the budget (about $500) for a near-term purchase. Could double that for a longer-term.
Again, not wanting to go the sub route unless I have too. Can’t do room treatments or alter room configuration (it’s our living room) either.
Any thoughts/suggestions will be greatly appreciated – thank you!
My system and environment:
• Pre: Conrad Johnson Premier 16LS
• Pwr: Conrad Johnson Premier 12 Mono Blocks
• Pwr Condtnr: Shunyata Hydra
• Speakers: Tannoy Kensingtons
• Cabeling: Stealth PGS IC’s, Vandenhull Bi-wire Speaker wiring
• Sources: Conrad Johnson DV-2B CD Player, SOTA Star w/SME arm w/Grado cart, Magnum Dynalab Tube Tun
• Music: Classic Rock, Easy listening, Female Jazz singers, Classical
• Room: Big (25 X 30) w/cathedral ceiling. Harwood floors/ceiling and big glass windows. Rugs and furniture
Came across the Emerald Physics Bass Manager claims to add 1/2 octave of bass to any speaker. IYO, could that be a solution? Are there similar helpers like this out there? Not much in the budget (about $500) for a near-term purchase. Could double that for a longer-term.
Again, not wanting to go the sub route unless I have too. Can’t do room treatments or alter room configuration (it’s our living room) either.
Any thoughts/suggestions will be greatly appreciated – thank you!
- ...
- 51 posts total
Subs seem to get a bad rap because they are almost never integrated properly. It is crucial to get them time aligned with the main signal. You need a sub with continuous phase adjustment. And the right method for adjusting it. http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/subwoofer-basics/?page=3 If you do manage to get bass output for your room, by whatever method, you will have room modes. The average bass trap doesn’t work very well. Easiest way to manage modes is to get a sub with auto EQ. Just knock down one or two modal frequencies and you are good to go. I feel sorry for my purist friends who have do without bass because subs are not a part of their religion. Listen to the JL Audio Fathoms properly adjusted and you will want to change religions. They aren’t cheap but, considering all the $$$ you’ve put into the rest of your system, to do without such an essential component of true SQ is a tragedy IMHO. Dogma is a b---- |
I had 2 REL Stadium subs and they were great. I also had a pair of the old HSU tall circular subs made of treated cardboard which were good also. BIG bang for buck. Also pair of Nelson Reed 1204s which can blow down walls but were discontinued at the time of the SF earthquakes. Due to a misunderstanding with my x I" am in an apt and can't use any of these. I would try some of the moveable bass traps, I had a bunch of standard ones on the walls. They were so nice looking my X wanted some on the living room as well. My Karma ran over my Dogma. |
- 51 posts total