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Separate subs for music and HT/surround

My stereo setup is comprised of Ayre 5/20 series digital hub, preamp and amp that drive KEF Ref 1s through a passive Marchand high-pass filter. For HT and surround, LR side and rear surround from an SP3 go to NAD Class D amps that drive LS50s. The SP3 receives HDMI from an Ayre DX-5 DSD, and its front LR output goes to a balanced by-pass input of the KX-5/20. I have two Velodyne SMS-1 bass managers that provide acoustic room correction, two HGS-10 subs, and two HGS-15 subs.

Question: Should I use one SMS-1 with the two HGS-10s for stereo and the other SMS-1 with the two HGS-15s for HT and surround music? I realize there are advocates for using 4 subs, and I could daisy-chain the SMS-1s, but separating the SMS-1s seems a neat way to keep stereo separate from HT.

db
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dbphd OP
1,630 posts
 
I'm rethinking the sub woofer setup.  I plan to use the Bryston SP3 to manage the subwoofers, the Velodyne SMS-1 to provide acoustic room correction.  An output from the Ayre KX-5/20 preamp will go to the SP3; managed output from the SP3 will go to the SMS-1.

I don't know if Roon does surround, but the setup will be there if it does.

db
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noble100
2,419 posts
 
Hello DB,

     Okay, I trust you know what you're doing.  At this point, I'm mainly interested with your impressions of using your custom 4-sub DBA system on music and TV/HT.

Tim
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dbphd OP
1,630 posts
 
Tim,

Of course I don't know what I'm doing.  I'm vacillating with the idea of using daisy-chained Velodyne SMS-1s for both bass management and acoustic room correction.
db
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noble100
2,419 posts
 
Hello DB,

     My suggestion is to try out both alternatives to help you decide.  It takes more time and effort but you're ultimately making a more informed decision.  I can state with confidence that a properly positioned and configured 4-sub DBA system requires no room correction software or hardware.  
     I don't  believe running room correction will have any negative effects but, since I've never utilized room control on my 4-sub DBA, I can't be certain.

Later,
Tim
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