Small or large sub for music

Hello mapman,

     Sorry, I'm a bit confused by your last post. 
     As I understand it and in other words, you're stating that deep bass extension down to about 20 Hz can be achieved in most larger rooms through either a single large sub with a large driver or through multiple subs each with smaller drivers.possibly also incorporating passive radiators.  And you add that you're unaware of any single 8" driver sub that can reproduce deep bass down to the typical audible limit of 20  Hz.
     If the above accurately reflects your thoughts, I agree with you.

     But then you go on to state: 
" If your mains are larger and more full range you will likely have to go with a larger 12" or even larger sub in order to cover the lowest frequencies not covered otherwise by the mains."

      I think I clearly understand your statement but disagree with it. 
      I believe, in your quoted example above, that excellent in-room bass response down to 20 Hz +/- 3 dB can be achieved  in virtually any sized room through the use of 4 smaller subs with 10" drivers if configured as a distributed bass array system.  
     I believe this because my mains are larger and are run full range but only extend down to about 34 Hz.  I utilize a db, consisting of 4 smaller subs with 10" drivers, in my medium sized? (23 x 16 foot) room to provide excellent in-room bass response from 20-40 Hz  +/- 3 dB that integrate seamlessly with my large Magnepan panel mains for both music and ht.
     I understand you don't currently require this degree of bass extension in your own system but thought you'd like to know this type of bass extension is possible in virtually any sized room without the need for subs with 12" or larger drivers .

Tim        

TBC, having the space and money to have 4 subs is not the normal music lover's situation. 

@mapman  was talking to that. He was not discrediting the use of 4 subs. 

I too will never be able to have more than 1 sub in my listening area so to me, the 4 sub array point is moot.

That doesn't mean I don't see the merits. From a cost/performance space situation, the bass traps + eq are the far better and cheaper option, but hey, I make my own loudspeakers so the measurement and calibration is waaay easier for me than the average music lover. 

noble yes for 20 hz in large room you need at least 1 larger sub up to teh task (check specs) or multiple subs or drivers. Distributed multiple subs or sub array allows more  for smoother bass response throughout a room than extending low end frequency response..

Ideally I would want  2-4 larger quality subs distributed around a room but practically I do not want to have to deal with all that so I go with just a single smaller sub that is easier to manage.   This is in a second system.  My main system has full range speakers so no subs needed. 

Why does anybody care if the bass is distributed evenly around the room? Is this so you can enjoy accurate bass while doing your yoga headstand against the wall? Weeping about things in the corner until the housekeeper finds you? I use 2 subs that seem to help cancel some room standing wave issues, but I do serious listening from my specific sweet spot (like most audio geeks) which is where stereo mixes actually work. If anybody wants to really appreciate my rig along with me, it's necessary they sit in my lap or stand behind me while I sit in my "magic" spot. Also, it's possible to get great (and musically rewarding) sound from one sub as this is generally better than no sub at all. Movie sound is the McDonalds of audio...lots of salt and fat to make you feel good initially, but it has very little to do with good food...as a reference for audio, film sound is a ridiculous mix of extremes that isn't really designed for music appreciation. If you spend your time listening to and enjoying the digital reproduction of Army tanks and explosions, you're unique and hat's off to you!