Do you think you need a subwoofer?

Hi Tim the problem I have is I am limited on space to play with optimum sub placement . I use my subs in stereo the front subs are set to 60hrz and the rears are set to 45hrz . The DSPeaker makes this arrangement work well . the DSP has a bypass mode so you can hear the difference the correction is doing . I have had the DSP for 3 years running 2 stereo subs with great success adding the rear subs improved the whole system . As for the DSP being transparent I have been tweeking both my digital and analog front ends and I can discern the changes . The DSPeaker and my custom Bent Audio / Dave Slagle AVC volume control pre amp makes low volume listening sublime .Tim if you want to understand the DSPeaker there is much info on it              

Hi Doc,

     I believe you live in a Manhattan postage stamp so lack of space and the need to listen at lower volumes are issues.  I hear the penthouse at Trump Towers may be available soon. Just something to consider if you want more room, fewer neighbors and solid gold toilets.

      I now understand you use your DSPeaker for 600 hz and below system wide.  The upper range of this (specifically 50 -600 hz) is reproduced by your main Ohm Walsh speakers and not your subs; you run your subs in stereo with the front 2 subs handling 60 hz and lower and the rear 2 subs handling 45 hz and lower.  I think you're aware that there is some overlap with both your front 2 subs and your main speakers reproducing frequencies between 50-60 hz.  But your DSPeaker likely adjusts output in this small range to smooth out response.  Your clarification now makes your system a lot more sensible to me.  

     My goal is mainly to learn how your system functions and not to criticize a configuration that obviously works so well for you.  I know it's not easy to construct a system that sounds good at lower volumes.  It's been well known for decades that human perceived loudness of very low and very high frequencies, in comparison to mid-range frequencies, decreases as volume is decreased.  This was the reason some older audio components (1980s to 90s) had 'loudness' buttons and controls that boosted these frequencies to compensate.

     Perhaps the reason your system sounds so good to you at lower volumes is because your DSPeaker incorporates a 'loudness countour' that is boosting the lowest and highest frequencies relative to the mid-range frequencies as you lower the overall volume of your system.  This is only speculation on my part but I think it's a reasonable assumption given your results utilizing this DSP tool.

Tim

Hi Tim the low level dynamics are from the use of auto former or transformer volume control that's the key component . Check out Intact audio . No loudness contour . The one thing I have is a great digital front end   

Dear friends: I started this thread almo9st 20 years ago but things are that as many other audiophiles I followed learning not only in this subs issue but in the audio world genral subjects.

 

Well, in the last 2 years I made it several chnages/up-dates/up-grade to my room/system and mainly to my speakers crossover parts.

So and thank's to a thread dialogue in Agon where I 'm participating last nigth I decided to try different changes in my subwoofers PHASE that's a subject that not only in this thread but in no other thread or audio forum never read in deep the critical importance of Phase in the subs to stay sure that's room/speakers integration is " optimal ".

Started listening to Original Motion Pictures  CDs source with MUSIC as Day After Tomorrow, Gladiator, Thin Red ine and the like. Almost all goes deep in the bass through synthesisers. During my late nigth session I left the PHASE at the best position my ears told me and I gone to sleep with some doubt about.

So, early this morning I come back to my system to continue testing PHASE in the subs and this time with acoustic instruments in several LPs I own and used mainly the Telarc 1812 recording that comes with several kind of bass at diferent frequency bass ranges and my last nigth doubt came out: the choosed Phase was wrong and when finally my analog Phase tests session I achieved a quality level I was not prepared to attain, it was something unexpected and the best it happens to me in many ytears with my audio system.

 

That's why I urge all of you that already own subs in your systems to " play " seriously with the Phase control in your subs and if you already do it then try it again to confirm is ok for you.

Patience is only what we need but the rewards are huge on this Phase critical subject.

I never imagined its crucial importance.

My findings where confirmed in an Agon thread by a true Agoner expert in that and other audio subjects as is : @deep_333  ..

R.