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Enhancing low frequencies for my system

Hi.This is Mike S. Here is a master listing of my current components: 
 
My components:
Vandersteen Speakers 3A Signature
2 2W Vandersteen Subs
Border Patrol DAC
Bluesound
Cambridge Transport CXC
McCormick Deluxe DNA 0.5
Modwright SWL 9.0 Anniversary Edition preamp with added phono preamp
Rega P3 table with Elys cartridge

I’m currently looking for and need ideas for enhancing my low frequencies with my current system.  I wish to have a “Phatter” sound stage.  My idea is to add a separate preamp with a remote control and power amplifier including two additional subs with crossover to compliment my current subs that are not as much bass as bass as I prefer.  I appreciate any thoughts & ideas that you may have.Thank you so much for your time & experience, Mike S. 
mjschwartzman
mcreyn
293 posts
 
I have to agree. I had a set of 3a Sigs for a while and they had amazingly tight and plentiful bass, nearly as deep as my Velodyne ULD-12s (pair) and “tighter” sounding. Richard Vandersteen is a bit of a bass whore, and with the 3a + twin 2wqs, you should have plenty.

I agree with look at your setup. Either you equiptment is set up wrong, you need to move your sub or seating position, or your room has severe acoustical issues. Regardless, a change in equiptment is not going to fix it (unless you are looking to do 120+ db at 20hz, then you will need some huge subs like Seaton Sound).  
erik_squires
16,301 posts
 
Bass Traps
DSP based EQ
Placement

These are a few of my favorite things. 
gdnrbob
4,457 posts
 
OP, I would contact a Vandy dealer and have him/her check your setup.
If you are near NYC, Johnny Rutan would be the man to ask.
I owned the 3a sigs, and the 2w subs and while I never needed super bass, they always sounded full.
Bob
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
Isolate the source, obviously. Unless you have something against slam and bass extension.
m-db's avatar
m-db
995 posts
 
Mike, your story sounds very familiar until I acquired my first Digital Drive-18 subwoofer with remote control gain and six preset EQd adjustment settings from flat, reversed polarity to however you want your low end to sound at the push of a single button.

The issue is usually the content of the recording. There are many albums were the polarity changes from track to track. Having independent on the fly control of the frequencies below 200 Hz kills the set it and forget it way of subwoofer ownership. Unlike the separate preamplifier idea your making these adjustment from the listening position that you optimized the system in the first place. 

I sold the 18 and now have two DD Plus 12s. The flexibility and the room lock is a wonder.   
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