Hello hifiman5
Yes, I understand and agree with you about how relieving the main amp’s responsibility of amplifying bass signals is beneficial both to the amp’s power output requirements and the overall sound since the amp is then able to devote itself to only amplifying the mid and high frequency signals. This should result in a more effortless and dynamic sound for everything above the bass.
I would just suggest that, if the goal is a matching effortless and dynamic sound for the system bass, more than a single sub is the optimum solution..
In my experience, employing a distributed bass system of at least 2 subs, will deliver the revelatory sound performance in the bass that you accurately described for the mids and highs once an amp is relieved of amplifying all bass frequencies.
Again, however, I advise that using just a single sub will not bring bass response closer to this goal, using 2 will begin the improvement, using 3 will continue the improvement and using 4 subs is the magic number that will allow reaching the goal.
I understand if some are skeptical but the results I describe above are scientifically proven via experiments that have been independently verified not only by acoustic scientists but also by regular people who have purchased and deployed distributed bass array systems such as myself and many others.
I’m just trying to spread the word on how well this concept actually works. My initial opinion of the sound results upon first listen remains the same today: it almost magically produces excellent bass without any DSP, parametric equalizing, room treatments, mics or room correction software or hardware.
My only cautions to bstatmeister would be to not just plunk down his single Vandy sub in a convenient spot arbitrarily. He’ll get much better results following my positioning procedure previously described:
1. Hookup your sub and place it at your desired listening position.
2. Play music that has good and repetitive bass.
3. Walk around your room in a systematic manner listening for an exact spot where the bass sounds the best to you.
4. Once this spot is located, reposition your sub to this exact spot.
5. To test results, sit at your designated listening position and repay the same music.
As you would expect, bass response will be improved as additional subs are added to the room. 2 subs, properly positioned, will give better results than 1. Repeat the above procedure for each additional sub you desire to buy and bass response will continue to improve.
I don’t advise using more than 4 subs unless you enjoy wasting your money. Any gains made in bass response in your room beyond 4 subs will be incrementally much smaller than the obviously more noticeable gains made when adding subs #2-4.
CAUTION: Disregarding any of the above utilitarian advice is at your own peril and may result in the forfeiture of all consultation fees you may have paid.
Love,
Tim
XOX
