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Will a subwoofer add depth and clarity to my system, or just bass?

hi folks,
I just purchased a set of Focal Aria 906 speakers with stand, powered by a Bluestream PowerNode (not my ideal system but I had a limited budget).  I think it sounds really good, but am wondering if an upgrade to a subwoofer is worth it, and if so, what would pair well with this system -- my audio guy recommended the JL Audio D110 10" Dominion Subwoofer, but that's out of my price range.  Perhaps a SVSPB1000, for $499?  My room isn't very big, and I don't use the system for movies, just listening to mostly jazz and rock (and classical).
Thank you!
jazz99
dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
Not true plga.
plga
184 posts
 
Well, its only my experience.
But, its true that integrate a sub, or a pair of subs, its quite complicated and, to my taste, a nice pair of floorstanders, with a nice system behind and all of them voiced to the room, can sure give you all you need in music.
Just finding the right spot for your speakers (with out a sub) and your listening position its a big challenge. Not to mention taking care of all the rest issues to correctly voice the system to the room.
Getting that done WELL, but with subs, IMHO is for experts. If you are not one, you would need A LOT of time and patience to get it right.
plga
184 posts
 
I cannot agree more with erik_squires when he said "It’s not the tech is bad, it’s the complications in the setup that I’ve so often heard as poor".
Not to mention the space the subs will need in your room, powering them, cabling, etc etc. 
For me, not worth it. 
audiokinesis
2,750 posts
 

"Getting that done WELL, but with subs, IMHO is for experts."

Then there must be a lot of experts out there, because an awful lot of people have done it.

And somewhat counter-intuitively, the more subs the easier it is, because the location of any one sub becomes non-critical. 

Once you've initially positioned the subs, time to adjust the controls.  First the gain, then the frequency, then the phase, in that order.  Then cycle through a few more times.  Don't be surprised if you continue to make fine adjustments, particularly to the gain, over the course of the first few weeks.

Duke

millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
More audiokinesis gold:

And somewhat counter-intuitively, the more subs the easier it is, because the location of any one sub becomes non-critical.  

Once you've initially positioned the subs, time to adjust the controls. First the gain, then the frequency, then the phase, in that order. Then cycle through a few more times. Don't be surprised if you continue to make fine adjustments, particularly to the gain, over the course of the first few weeks.

Duke

That's what I thought but still nice to confirm and clarify: "the more subs the easier it is, because the location of any one sub becomes non-critical." Totally logical once you understand what's going on and the reasoning behind the distributed bass array.

It also might be my favorite thing about it. The way my room is laid out it will work out beautifully with one on the front wall left corner, one on the right side wall near the right front corner, another one far back on the right wall, and a fourth somewhere along the left side wall. Should work out great with the existing equipment, in particular a massive turntable rack that definitely is not going anywhere and despite its massive, uh, mass would rather not have a sub sitting right next to it!

I got 2 sealed cabs and part of one ported cab screwed and glued together. Man they are heavy even without the drivers! Got the amps in the room, Cones, Shelfs, wire. Depth and clarity or just bass? We're working on it!
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