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Are big subwoofers viable for 2 channel music?

In thinking about subwoofers to get for a large future listening space (30' x 30'). So far there seems to be a lot of great options for smaller subs for music.. such as the rel s812. Now my main focus will be music but I do plan to do some home theater on the system and I do enjoy subs that reach low and have strong but clear sub-bass. Would a large sealed sub still be able to provide clean tight bass that digs low and thus satisfy both duties. Can it ever match the speed and precision of a pair or more of rel 812s? Something like PSA S7201 or Captivator RS2?

A realize a smaller sub has a smaller moving mass and thus for a given level of power would be faster than a bigger sub with a bigger moving mass (driver mass). But a large sub would have to move less to achieve the same SPL and would reach lower.

Anyhow what do you guys think? Thanks.
smodtactical
tyray
582 posts
 
@audiorusty

Yes big sub woofers are viable for 2 channel music.

I am also of the belief that quantity of subs is more important than which brand of sub. I believe any decent brand will work well.

That's good to know. It's also good to know you can use any brand of sub used together as part of the multiple.

Funny, I got a in very good condition 'vintage' SVS PB12 Plus/2 with the rare 12.3 subwoofers but I'm waiting on Tom V to put out his new 12" subs. I don't think it would be a good idea to use the SVS PB12 Plus/2 as the sub to raise up and elevate since it weighs 165 lbs.

Gain
Delay
Crossover
Room Size


bobedwards101
176 posts
 
Dual 15” passive subs with at least  800 RMS WPC MOSFET mono blocs
tyray
582 posts
 
big_greg,

I have my V801's crossovers set at 100hz and as I said before they disappear when playing. It could also just be the synergy with my almost vintage Miller & Kreisel MPS 2510 passive studio monitors with 2 midrange woofers and 3 tweeters each speaker. I'm gonna set the sub that's farthest away at 80hz and listen for awhile. 
bigjohn9095's avatar
bigjohn9095
47 posts
 
I don’t know about big Subwoofers, but my two little JL Audio Dominion D108 Subs certainly pack a punch and filled a big room quite nicely with my Goldenear Triton 5’s. They’re powerful little Subs.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
Legacy Audio XTREME XD Subs in use. See my review at Dagogo.com 

I have at times used from 4 to 12 15" woofers employed in systems. It's fascinating to hear the gradations of power, dynamics, smoothness, ease, tonality, etc. that occurs in different configurations of large drivers reaching down well below 20Hz.  
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