Dual subs and room size

Thank you all for your comments and insights. I do have wall treatment and bass traps in the front wall corners. I have large framed maps on the walls and tried to reduce the effects of the glass. You all have put forth a lot of info, much of which I'll have to digest. Simply, I was thinking two to provide a balanced stereo sound across the freqs. I don't do thumping overbass and didn't want to find my space overloaded by using two. In the end perhaps the conservative approach would be to start off with one and see how it sounds.

Italian,

A single well integrated sub is invisible and works very well with stereo.
You cant tell where it is, at all. Just plan your EQ solution, or get a sub with very flexible eq bulit in.

IN fact, I'll say, you can't hear the difference of most good subs, but you sure can tell the difference of their auto-EQ. :)

A poorly integrated sub stands out like a sore thumb. :)

Best,

Erik

i run two sunfire hrs  ,and gik treatment they have takin awhile to dial in properly.I would have jl fathoms is i had the scratch.(pricey)

I hate to see you make a mistake due to some of the advice here. If you listen to music you will be much happier with the flatter FR and integration from 2 lower priced subs versus one higher priced regardless of your budget (as long as you are at a minimum quality level like the SVS you are considering). The improvement from the second sub is NOT about SPL's it is rather these other sound quality improvements and EQ alone will not get you there. You set the SPL's to your taste so you have no worries about being overpowered. The opposite occurs when you eliminate room modes via the second sub.

Regardless of what you are hearing this is not disputed in the scientific community. Do a little homework on room modes, nodes and antinodes and how standing waves behave below 60hz given that most room treatments have little effect in this range. You won't regret it. 

I generally agree with @wattsperchannel

I also very much agree that integration is much more important than getting the most massive or beautiful or well reviewed sub. Very good very powerful and capable subs are available relatively inexpensively. You may find a lot of information on that here:

http://www.data-bass.com/home

However.... proper bass traps and EQ get you very close to ideal, so much that you may not want the second sub. Buying 1 sub does not stop you from buying 30 more later. Subs are not rationed per family. :) and it’s your wallet, so buy as many as you’d like. I only mean to let you know what the cost/benefits are, and that there are diminishing returns after 1 "well integrated" sub.

Lastly, I keep saying "well integrated" because subs are a nightmare for some one who does not do this professionally, or build loudspeakers, to integrate well. Whatever you do, do not expect to drop it down and have it work. It takes time, measurement, and accessories such as appropriate room treatment and adjustment for EQ, crossover, delay, phase not to mention it takes muscle to locate the sub in the ideal place. More so with 2. When I set up a sub I don’t approach it as a sub but as part of the speaker.

I’m very happy with a Hsu VTS 15, and a miniDSP unit + GIK acoustics soffit traps, but I have a background in crossover design and audio that makes this relatively easy. A sub with a push button EQ may do much for you. If you go that route then I _DO_ encourage you to ask owners. Auto EQ systems are quite variable in quality. You’ll want to hear owners experiences.

Another good source of help is the Room EQ Wizard forums. There are many people there who will help you with measurement, interpreting and setting up subs.

Best,


Erik