Do you think you need a subwoofer?


Why almost any one needs subwoofers in their audio systems?

I talk with my audio friends about and each one give me different answers, from: I don't need it, to : I love that.

Some of you use subwoofers and many do in the speakers forum and everywhere.

The question is: why we need subwoofers ? or don't?

My experience tell me that this subwoofers subject is a critical point in the music/sound reproduction in home audio systems.

What do you think?
Ag insider logo xs@2xrauliruegas

I thought readers of this thread might want to read a professional review of the 4 sub distributed bass array system I discussed previously:

http://www.theabsolutesound.com/articles/audiokinesis-swarm-subwoofer-system/

     This is actually about Duke Lejeune’s Swarm system but it’s virtually identical to James Romeyn’s Debra system that I own; exact same 4 ohm subs with 10" drivers, 1,000 watt class A/B ampifier along with the exact same setup procedure and wiring method.

Again, a reasonably priced system that delivers excellent bass in any room for both music and ht without the need for any room treatments and without any room analysis/room correction software or equipment. Yes, you do need to accommodate 4 (1 sq. ft. footprint and 2 ft. tall) subs in your room but it delivers the best bass response I’ve yet experienced in my room. I just want to let everyone know how well these systems work.

Thanks,
Tim
With a Mini DSP 2x4 you can control up to 4 subs on line level. Food for thought . I am going to try it soon
I use Vandersteen 5A speakers.  They have built-in subs that are driven from their own amps...my main stereo amp drives the mids/highs.  This frees up the amp from the power hungry subs and permits it to just loaf with smile.  Two subs are better than one - they better fill in the lower reflections of the room
Dear @noble100 :  """  You achieved accuracy, neutrality and a low noise floor via component selection and your regulators.  I achieved this mainly through a change from a class A/B amp to a pair of class D mono-blocks.  I believe my mono-blocks have built in regulators that conditions the electricity prior to introduction into the amp's input stage. """

well, my ML monoblocks are fully regulated input to output and I can hear the improvement of my today regulated electrical lines. So, you could try/test it.


"""  You have achieved good low bass in your system by fine tuning the positioning of your 2 Velodyne subs over a period of years and I achieved it through the use of the 4 sub Audio Kinesis distributed bass array system following their progressive setup procedure.  

     The important thing is that, through slightly different means, we've both achieved good  bass response in our rooms. """


When I bougth my Velodynesmy target was to have a thigt er and more precise low bass end with lower overhang than my main speakers but over the time and even that I have it my personal finding in those times was that existed not an additional benefit in the system subs integration but a main benefits even more important than the low bass stand alone subject and that main benefit/target was and is explained in that link that I post here again. This is for me my real discovery because in those times I was unaware of the JBL or Geedes multiple subs white papers/options and certainly not what you posted here and are using at your place:

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/do-you-think-you-need-a-subwoofer/post?postid=310058#310058 


Years latter I have a dialogue/discussion with Mr. Geedes in other forum from where I was banned ( people are not prepared for me. ).
Well, I shared that link experiences but he did not cares about, he only talks on for what him was the main target: low bass.

I think that to have a reall good  system bass managemnt through subs is an " additional " benefit to what I'm talking about.

Obviously that today things changed for the better till not only that noise floor or accuracy but the must important issue for me is that when BASS System MANAGEMENT is rigth then there is no need of almost any room treatment because ROOM DISAPPEARS ! ! !  and this is the AMAZING and new experience for every one ( like you. ) that experiment/try with.

As you can see almost no one of the regulars in this forum posted in the last weeks in this thread and this fact speaks for it self.

I can remember audiophiles excuses to not try the subs experiences, everyt kind of excuses and I remember very clear this one with Avalon speakers ( I remember this same kind of excuse with other audiophiles and diferent speakers. ):

" I don't want to use the high pass crossover my Avalons in a frequency range where its shines. """, but something like this was the same with a Magico owner that has problems with these speakers. people just don't want to grow up and prefers stay in his " confort chair ". Even my cvlose friend Guillermo who owns top Soundlabs gave me similar answer years ago but here today are using a pair of subs with that great Soundlabs he owns!.

Regards and enjoy the music,
R.


Dear @noble100 :  I was trying to find out information of what tipycal level of THD has a bass/subwoofers configuration as the one you have but it does not exist something about.

Do you have that information or a link with?

regards and enjoy the music,
R.