Hello cool,
Millercarbon is correct, a 4-sub distributed bass array (DBA) will provide excellent bass performance throughout your entire room and integrate seamlessly with your main B&W speakers.
If you’re only concerned with attaining excellent bass performance at a single designated listening seat, however, using 2 good quality subs will will work about just as well as a 4-sub DBA. You may even be able to attain very good bass performance at a single listening seat with a single higher quality, and more expensive, sub that comes with a mic and has room correction software. You would first optimally position the single sub in your room using the crawl method (you can google it) and then utilize the room correction function to fine tune the results.
2 subs, even if they’re smaller and less expensive, will generally perform about twice as a single sub, even if it’s larger and more expensive. The benefits of using 2 subs are increased bass power and dynamics when the music calls for it, neither sub is operating near its limits and the bass will be better integrated with your main speakers. Whatever sub or subs you decide to use, it’s very important that each sub has separate controls for Volume, crossover frequency and continuously variable phase. These controls are critically important for adjusting them optimally to your room and system. It’s also beneficial for the subs to have the choice of inputs, rca line level and high level speaker wire. You’ll also notice an improved soundstage and improved midrange and treble performance of your main speakers utilizing 2 subs.
I suggest trying a pair of SVS SB-1000 subs or similar Hsu subs for about $1,000/pair.
Good luck,
Tim
Millercarbon is correct, a 4-sub distributed bass array (DBA) will provide excellent bass performance throughout your entire room and integrate seamlessly with your main B&W speakers.
If you’re only concerned with attaining excellent bass performance at a single designated listening seat, however, using 2 good quality subs will will work about just as well as a 4-sub DBA. You may even be able to attain very good bass performance at a single listening seat with a single higher quality, and more expensive, sub that comes with a mic and has room correction software. You would first optimally position the single sub in your room using the crawl method (you can google it) and then utilize the room correction function to fine tune the results.
2 subs, even if they’re smaller and less expensive, will generally perform about twice as a single sub, even if it’s larger and more expensive. The benefits of using 2 subs are increased bass power and dynamics when the music calls for it, neither sub is operating near its limits and the bass will be better integrated with your main speakers. Whatever sub or subs you decide to use, it’s very important that each sub has separate controls for Volume, crossover frequency and continuously variable phase. These controls are critically important for adjusting them optimally to your room and system. It’s also beneficial for the subs to have the choice of inputs, rca line level and high level speaker wire. You’ll also notice an improved soundstage and improved midrange and treble performance of your main speakers utilizing 2 subs.
I suggest trying a pair of SVS SB-1000 subs or similar Hsu subs for about $1,000/pair.
Good luck,
Tim