Small or large sub for music

" Two quibbles:

1 - Room modes ARE ringing
2 - Once bass traps are in place, DSP helps with ringing and nulls. .

Not going to argue this, plenty of professional acoustics literature out there. The bass traps help de-energize the rninging, and make DSP’s possible. You can even clean up nulls this way.

The combination of sub placement, room acoustics and DSP all contribute. Well done, they are lightning fast and completely organic sounding, and bigger = better.

However, poorly done, limited placement, no bass traps, no EQ, a small sub may often sound better.

Best,

Erik"

I think we fundamentally agree, but are not quibbling past each other.  As I understand it:

1)  Treating room modes by room treatments reduces decay time (ringing).  

2)  To optimize bass in a room takes a combination of setup, room treatment, and DSP.  Just like a three legged stool, all must be applied properly to get a good outcome.  

I thave tried a ML 12 in my 17x22 room, and it was to loud for stereo music, and I found  the stereo image and depth were diminished.  So, I did not go for a sub, but try it, and I am now fixe with it.  But I would suggest to try 2 smaller sub, if you listen in stereo music.  May be it woill work with your room.  So for me, one big sub kill the magic of music.

I'm not sure whether it's a more appropriate question than your original, but it's certainly a significant factor when weigh sub-woofers for music and that is whether you purchase ported or non-ported speakers. I prefer non-ported subs as they're less boomy, faster and more natural sounding. But hey, that's just one man's opinion.

I'm firmly in the "DSP robs the music of some soul" camp (I don't trust the sonic opinions of the designers...how do they know what I want to hear?), and think a normal room (meaning with furniture, rugs, and stuff other than traps and damping panels) can sound great. If you live in a steel shipping container with no furniture you have other issues to worry about that DSP ain't gonna fix. Using 2 subs takes care of a lot of the aforementioned room mode issues if they're receiving the same signal (not stereo) at the same time...it just works. Also, if sub levels are too loud, turn it down. 

Thanks for all the advice.  Whether I use 10, 12, or 15 inch subs I will use a pair, most likely placed just behind the speaker stand.  Looks good and sounds good in my experience.  The sub will be non-ported.  

I've almost decided on rosewood KEF Reference 1s.  A pair Rhythmic F12s in piano black might be a good upgrade from my aging Velodyne HGS-10s or 15s.  I might continue to use the Velodyne SMS-1 bass manager that provides acoustic room correction, although that may be redundant with the F12s.

Thanks again for helping me firm up my plan.

db