More Power or use subwoofer to boost bass for music

On topic... I have an Auralex subdude in my bedroom and while it seems to help with isolating the bass to that room, don't expect miracles. Bass waves carry. How many times have you heard the bass from a car half a block away? If it's too loud, others are going to hear it. 

@erik_squires It's unfortunate when one or more people suggest there's only one "best" way to get good bass. It's also unfortunate that you've seen fit to classify all proponents of a multiple sub setup as belonging to a "cult", especially since you display "fanboy" tendencies towards certain products, in particular, GIK Acoustics.

It's a bit of hello Mr. Pot, meet Mr. Kettle.

I use 4 subs in my main 2 channel system (5 for movies). I also have room treatments (not GIK). Going to a four sub setup was transformational and one of, if not the most noticeable upgrades I've made. 

I have three other systems, each of which has ONE subwoofer. For my goals for those systems and the rooms they are in, one sub is enough. I've also shared more than once on this forum that one of the best systems for bass that I've ever heard was at a friend's house. He uses two subs and extensive room treatments. 

When it comes to bass, there's more than one way to achieve great results. Besides, "great" is subjective...

Xcool asked,

" Do you have any suggestion on reducing vibration to the wall behind and to the side of my subwoofer? Would acoustic panel or bass trap help? "

To the extent that the vibrations in the walls are structure-borne, the SVS SoundPath Isolator should help.

As for reducing air-borne vibrations by using an acoustic panel or bass trap, I don’t know how effective that would be, nor the best way to go about it.

This is much more likely to fall within @erik_squires’ area of expertise. Erik?

Duke

Hi Duke, thanks for the suggestion on Auralex SubDude.   I wonder how they compare to the SVS SoundPath Isolator that I just ordered.

I have the SVS isolators under my SVS subs and they did help tighten up the bass a bit. My results were fairly subtle. I believe that they are designed to reduce the transmission of the vibrations of the sub cabinet itself, to the floor. I don't think they will have any impact on the airborne vibrations created by the speakers. I have no experience with Auralex.

If you like fat bass the REL is a good choice, if you like punchy bass I would go with some one else like Rythmik or SVS, though there are many other brands that would work also.

Thanks for the recommendation.  I was looking at both REL and SVS.   I really like the REL feature.  It can accommodate both 2 channel music with a low pass filter setting, and Home Theater usage with a LFE input.   The information I found on their website is that the low pass filter doesn't apply to LFE.  It only applies to 2 channel input.   This is exactly what I want.   However, my only concern with REL is their passive downward firing drive.   I'm really trying to reduce any vibration onto the floor.

As with the SVS subs, they just seem to get a lot of good reviews, and reasonably priced.  So it seems to be a good option.   But according to the answer I got back from their support team, the low pass filter does apply to both 2 channels input and LFE - which is not what I want.

Hello xcool,
     Does “xcool” mean you were cool previously but not currently, or does it mean you’re multiples of cool?

     One option to significantly reduce bass vibrations reaching the floor below is to place the subs on a slab of a solid material that will reflect the vibration-inducing deep bass sound waves rather than vibrating itself and transferring the vibration to the floor below.  I know slabs of granite are good to use and remnant pieces at reduced prices are often available from local retail stone vendors.       The bass sound waves launched from the passive bass driver, which are typically used just to vent excess air pressure from inside the sub ‘s cabinet, strike the very hard surface of the granite and are redirected out into the room through the spaces between the bottom of the sub and the surface of the granite.
     I believe Subdude platforms do the same thing, but I’ve never used them, so I’m not certain.

Tim