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Subwoofer insight.

This is new territory to me. Current speakers are 2 way with frequency response of 60Hz-20KHz with +/- 2dB.  Sensitivity rated as 86dB. Chance to purchase a pair of REL 7 tis. I feel like I am missing something but will have to buy the subs to try out. My basic question is this. Does this purchase sound wise? I know what I am willing to spend but do you think I will notice an appreciable improvement.  I know that no one can listen through my ears but this is my first time doing this. Source is 75 watt integrated tube amp, McIntosh MA-2275. Thoughts appreciated. I am leaning towards going forward with the deal but would appreciate some feedback. Room is large and open, 28X38 feet with 9 foot ceilings. Thanks for any feedback.
ricmci
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
No Electronics.

Passive XO with teflon or polystyrene or polypropylene caps. The best RCAs. Wired with silver plated teflon coated wire and Ag solder.

Listen to something with no low end like a Cecila Bartoli aria or Winton Marsalis solo. I defy anyone to hear it.

With well mated subs, the increase in mid bass clarity has to be heard.

See http://www.ielogical.com/assets/Audio/PassiveXO1.png
gmacchia1
4 posts
 
Without killing your budget I'm running a pair of small Sumiko S.0 subs with my Totem Tribe towers... It provides the perfect amount of punch needed for my dedicated 2 channel system.


dave_b's avatar
dave_b
3,159 posts
 
The REL’s are powered geniuses ...they draw almost nothing from the amp via the Speakon connection.  Mains run full range.  No X crossover needed.  No extra interconnects.  No extra boxes with crap in them for the signal to be degraded.  Simple!
ieales's avatar
ieales
1,201 posts
 
Do the math & call me back...
m-db's avatar
m-db
972 posts
 
When we compared a beautifully crafted over $8k model with two DSP subs, its owner sold it the following week. The words this passionate Irishman used to describe it went well beyond junk.

Simply reading the manual it seemed obvious, they clearly aged out when the first set of preamplifier outputs became available.

I often consider sound reinforcement, recording, post production, and on and on, in other words the majority of the audio industry. Only one end of the high end uses that propitiatory high level subwoofer connectivity. 

That guy? He now has a full of crap DSP sub with thirteen remote controlled auto and manually adjustable parameters and filters within nine frequency bands from 15-125Hz. Six slightly augmented preset equalizations stored in memory for varying recordings or musical taste. Each setting shares a uniquely designed multi band crossover region that was also capable of closely matching his last two choices of main speakers systems sonic presentations rather than the half hearted idea of matching of a subwoofer to a speaker. Topping it off with really long RS-232 cables to two other crawl tested slave units complimenting his all tube vinyl based system. Big analog fan. 
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