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Very basic subwoofer question

I'm thinking of adding a sub to my two-channel system, which has a pair of KEF LS-50 speakers, on Sound Anchor stands. I'm generally quite happy with things as they are, except for occasionally feeling that I'd like a bit more on the bottom end. I'm not looking for chest-thumping, room-shaking bass, but instead want to hear what's not there now. Like Paul Chambers on "Kind of Blue," who sometimes feels more hinted at than present. Or Phil Lesh on "Friend of the Devil" -- or myriad other Dead tunes -- whose bass playing also isn't quite fully there.
What I want is to hear more rather than feeling it.
Is what I'm hoping for realistic? Attainable?
I could detail my system, etc., but I'm not looking for specific suggestions about which sub, how many subs, etc. I'm just hoping to hear from someone who might be able to tell me if what I want is possible, at all.
Thanks very much.
-- Howard

hodu
millercarbon's avatar
millercarbon
12,531 posts
 
The bass you get with multiple subs in a DBA is beautiful at revealing all the many differences between recordings. The concept itself is odd mostly because such an approach would never work with higher frequencies. Putting more speakers around the room would only muddle midrange and treble. There would be more volume, but less precision. With bass however there is more volume AND more precision! The character or quality of bass you can get with a DBA is simply impossible to achieve with any one sub. Find one, if you can, or build your own. You will see.
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,836 posts
 
For 2-ch audio, a pair of subs is very much capable of achieving high quality bass....I was able to do so with a pair of REL’s. 
mike_in_nc
1,205 posts
 
You can improve the bass with subs -- improve the sound overall with subs. What you do depends on your aspirations for the system.

In my desktop system, which has Harbeth P3ESR speakers (5" woofers), I added a used B&W ASW610, a 10" powered sub, and it improved the presentation a lot, in just the way you asked about.

As others have said, multiple subs are helpful in smoothing bass nodes and increasing the sense of ambiance. You might start with one, and if you like the result but want even more, get a second matching one to try. If you have room, 4 or more subs can smooth the bass even more.

Have fun!
hodu OP
319 posts
 
Thanks, all, for your thoughtful responses -- they are much appreciated.
-- Howard
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
12,201 posts
 
In my bedroom system I don't have a lot of room and some recordings have bass that my tiny speakers simply don't even hint at.

So I added a sub (Golden Ear Subx). I really had to fiddle with placement so I could hear the bass from my bed. A standing wave prevented it going in the spot I felt was the most convenient. That's the thing about one or two subs- you have to fiddle to get it right. I kept the sub output below 70Hz so it would not attract attention to itself, and then just worked with the level so I really was getting the bass notes. The main speakers roll off at about 60Hz (KLH model Nineteens) so this worked out pretty well.


A Distributed Bass Array would have worked better (I could have heard the bass throughout the room rather than just near the bed) but since the goal was listening from my bed that was not important.


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