My experience adding subwoofers to 2 channel


My Kappa 9 speakers are rated to 29hz and they sound pretty good in my 18x24 room...powered by McIntosh mc1.25 amps...l was looking for another layer of bass to enhance the sound..my first experiment l took my SVS pb16 ultras from my theater room and tried them first...it sounded terrible,didn't blend well..couldn't hear a difference until you turned in up then it rattled the room apart........my final experiment worked..l used 4 Velodyne minivee subwoofers(1000 watt rms class D sealed 8 in.) and after hours of calibration l hit it......lve got the bass response that exeeded my expectations. ....l should have done this along time ago....can anybody tell me of another subwoofer that may work even better?
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Hello Tim,
I still do not know how to send the video to you. As so I am not savvy, please take me on a step by step. Thank you.
Hello clio09,

      I've read about your Acoustat 2+2 electrostatic speakers mainly in the Stereophile review attached below but have never heard them myself. Based on this and their specs I've come to believe we're both looking for similar improvements in our system's bass response, namely a little more deep bass extension and improved deeper bass dynamics and impact.
    Your Acoustat 2+2 electrostatic panels have a bass extension limit of 28 Hz and my Magnepan 2.7QR planar-magnetic panels have a bass extension limit of 35 Hz. Fairly similar specs that would indicate they both would benefit from a sub system that would provide a little more deep bass extension down to the audible limit of 20 Hz and improved deep bass dynamics and impact.  
    If this is the case, which I know it exactly describes the deep bass I thought was missing in my system, then what is required is a supplemental bass system that provides bass extension down to 20 Hz, has the reserve power to provide life-like bass dynamics and impact that are felt as well as heard along with the bass not being perceived as disconnected, slow and lagging behind the sound from the main speakers.  
     I've found this last quality of providing bass that is detailed, smooth, dynamic and fast enough to blend seamlessly with our detailed, smooth and fast panel speakers is the most difficult but one of the best things a DBA system does.  It seems like you're now discovering that a custom bass line array can also seamlessly integrate as well or even better than a DBA.  Very interesting to know and I'd like to learn more.
     Btw, I am using that Dayton class AB kilowatt amp for my swarm.  I feel like you're setting me up for something, but I'll bite anyways and ask.  Why should I not use it?


Thanks,
  Tim 


https://www.stereophile.com/content/acoustat-22-loudspeaker



Rix, it is impossible to isolate a driver putting out low bass. The pressure wave itself is what makes the whole house vibrate, not the woofers connection to the house.
clio you want to handle Tim. I'm tired of talking to myself.
millercarbon you just gave some of the worlds finest speaker designers the middle finger. I think you should read acoustics for dummies before you start spouting off about what is or is not possible.
@noble100, my speakers are the Model 2, mijostyn has the 2+2. I doubt my speakers go down to 28 Hz, but regardless I am cutting them off at 100 Hz. IIRC I think Duke recommends running the mains full range and set the frequency on the Swarm accordingly. If I am wrong about that I apologize to him in advance. I could run my system that way, but I prefer to follow Roger's method and treat the panels as if they were designed to only go down to 100 Hz.

As for your amp, measure it. That will tell you what you need to know.
Hello khiak,

    To see my pm to you do this:

Scroll up to your last post dated 5/29/19.

Click on the red square icon with the "K" in the middle.

Click on the "Marketplace Feedback" tab.

Click on the blue thought bubble icon.

Click on the message from noble100.

Attach your video clip and click 'send' or 'submit'.


    If you can't do this for any reason, just post again and I'll reply with my suggestion.


Tim