Monitor with sub or Full Range Speakers

I had a set of Spendor sp 1/2e's and a James loudspeaker emb-1000. having a sub to fill in the bottom adds so much depth and even width to the soundstage. There is a lot of information in those lower frequencies that are responsible for the real and in the room sound. I think if you are accustomed to fullrange speakers, you would have to have a sub or it would sound like something is missing. I just replaced my set-up with Vandersteen 3a's which go to around 20hz. Even though I had close to that with the monitors and sub, the bass is much more seamless, coherent, and detailed in the Vandersteens. When I say coherent, I mean when you hear a bass string plucked, all the high frequencies of the finger hitting the string, the pluck, fretboard noise, are in the same place in the soundstage as the bass note itself, as if you were in front of the actual bass being played. Sometimes with a sub you are very aware of where the sub is, you hear the bass note coming from the sub and all the other surrounding information is coming from another place on the soundstage.I think your success or failure will depend on your choice of monitors and sub, the rest of your system amplification, how they all mafit together, and how much time and effort you want to put into integrating your sub. Most people would recommend that if you have the funds and space, get two subs.

good luck.

Most full range speakers, especially in the under 5k price range, are not truly full range. I would suggest, for many reasons, that monitor and sub (preferably dual subs) is the way to go. It takes at lot, from both the speakers and amps, to do high quality full range without compromising either the bass or the midrange, or both. Monitors will ease the load on the amp, and a powered sub will ease the load on the monitors.

I would also recommend the Vandy 3A Sigs as an excellent choice for a full range speaker in your room and with your gear. The LSA appears to have plenty of power to drive the Vandy's and they are indeed a full range speaker with a -3 dB point of 26 Hz. Used 3A Sigs can be had for significantly less than your budget.

I spent a few years with Spendor SP 1/2E's (also a wonderful speaker but decidedly not full range) and never succeeded in integrating a subwoofer with them. I finally tossed in the towel and bought the Vandy's. Quite satisfied.

Monitors or floor standers... whew! this continues as an ongoing debate... for me too.

it is easy enough to see the same floor space is used either way floors or monitors on stands... the added need is for the sub (s), if mons are used.

Stan's suggestions are very likely mighty good ones, as he has a lot of exp here. LSA also makes speakers. Talking to the designer some time back he cleared up a few things for me on this very subject, and you might want to take a look at them as a tact towards keeping/gaining synergy in your outfit.

your room is going to dictate your bass issues nearly as mmuch as will the speakers you put in it. both have to work together. Personally, in that size room, (mine is close to yours but just a bit larger), and I do feel the need for a sub... most of the time.

Active subs also reduce the needs for greater power and bigger bass drivers in floorstanders. Given all I've seen on subs here and elsewhere, having two looks like the way to go.

$3K ought to get you some nice near full range FS. Remember, mons will also need stands... and very likely one sub.

Good lick

Revrob

For me, the great advantage of subs is that you can EQ room problems in the bass (where they're worst) without disturbing the main signal path any more than you decide to. Choose mains that roll off high enough, and you can run 'em full range. Or you can use the line level low-cut of your choice.

At $3K, a pair of SVS or Rythmik (my choice) 12" subs will cost app $1300 and a Velodyne SMS-1 controller/PEq will add $450. Add the <$1500 (used) monitor of choice and my guess is that you will get more neutral, wider bandwith in-room response than any full range alternative at similar cost. Just MHO.

Good Luck.

Marty