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Subwoofers.... one 10" or two 8"?

I'm looking to fill out the bottom of my simple 2 channel system  (Musical Fidelity X-Ray CDP through Peachtree Audio Grand Integrated amp to a pair of Mirage OMD-15 full range speakers).  I occasionally will play the TV audio through the system for movies, but not interested in an HT setup. Music is the prime focus. The room is "medium" size.  I know that will not give the deep bass feel of a 12", but the difference should not be too great, and a 12" may be overkill for that room.  I've also considered getting two 8" subs to keep the sound balanced between the left and right channels. I think the  8" may be enough bottom for my room and tastes. I'm on a budget so getting a pair of anything bigger than 8" may not be in the cards.

Any opinions or suggestions as to whether I'd be better off with one 10" or two 8" subs?

















larstusor
Post removed 
johnnyb53
3,510 posts
 
The take away is that SPL is key. And fortunately most music doesn't contain much bass.
Exactly, especially given that 2-channel music is the OP's primary use of the system. I have used a Mirage LF-150 (10" x 150w) and an LF-100 (8" x 100w). Believe it or not, using the Stereophile test & demo CD, both subs produced clean, clear sub-30 Hz warble tones easily audible from the listening position about 8-10 feet from the subs. They might not be the best thing for crashes and explosions for HT in a large room, but for 2-ch. stereo they did surprisingly well. The more upscale sealed w/ passiave radiators Mirage MM8s do better (on transient response, clarity, etc.) but don't go as deep as even the modest LF-100.

I've also heard the SVS SB12 with full-range speakers in a fairly large media room and it acquitted itself well on 2-channel music. I think it's a good candidate for the OP. 


inna
7,296 posts
 
How good are Dynaudio subs? Anyone tried?
oleschool's avatar
oleschool
722 posts
 
I have had over the yrs probly 10 different subs . The original 8" sunfires with my mg3a sounded killer .. I had a pair  of the better 10" velos granite looking base with kefs they were imo not as good as the sunfires anong other velos, a single rel few yrs back 12" it was nice i have a hrs 12" sunfire on spikes now it gets boomy if its not placed right . I would like 2 10" in my room but honestly there are many times i dont even use the sub. There are many things at play with a sub regarding placement , straddling corners etc. but i never knew how good the low end sounded until i started working on room acoustics . Regarding small subs and high distortion i can't comment , i only know what sounds good in my setups over the yrs . The only 15" i ever had is the velodyne i have a model i can’t remember at the moment it was around a g retail is in my ht room its huge and rattles the house but tight is it not . 2-8" = 😬 2-10" = 😃 2-12" = is overkill in a small med room . Jmho .. Treat that room with some bass traps of some kind you’ll be surprised.👍😄
jafant's avatar
jafant
19,507 posts
 
It is good to read what I have known for many, many years now regarding REL and Sunfire subwoofer(s).
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