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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
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Try the low frequency localization test at audio check.net

and you can get bass localized IF there is a lot of harmonic content in the note / instrument and in case of Orchestra with big arrays with large distances between microphone ( thing DG in the multi mic hey day ), hence mono summing below say 80 HZ.
tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
Also Ray Brown - Soular Energy is super well recorded and has some great scaling work on it that will reveal if you have subs crossed over too high and output mismatched w mains.

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,149 posts
 
Yep you just need a good powered sub. I use a Klipsch sw308 with my ls50s in a 12x12 room and it does just what you describe. Room size matters. Personally I would not recommend ls50s for larger rooms. They are just too small even if augmented by a sub and have to work too hard. But in a small to modest size room within their limits they are very good. Also you need a beefy high current amp for ls50s in any case otherwise you can lose a lot.

id say start with one especially if you mostly listen in a particular sweet spot. It can be adjusted for that.  Multiple subs would be for smoothing out bass response across the room if that is a concern. 
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