Dual subs and or speaker uograde

Won't need to spend anywhere near $15k but go for it if you must. Won't need to though because when it comes to bass more is better than better. In other words don't buy one or two subs with your $15k, buy three or four. 

Hard to believe I know but Duke had a customer with a $30k sub budget who compared and went with four of his Swarm for $3k because it was better than any one or even two subs he could buy for $30k. So if you must spend the money then get four. 

I'm saying this fifteen different ways because its so darn hard to get people to understand. Once they do, every single one who does it is blown away. Basically, there is no amount of money you can throw at this problem that will solve it as good with one as you can easily do with four, and for much less. Do a search. You will see.

I think the first two responses you received are very well-informed and that's great to see/read. Although Monitor Audio is not for me they make great speakers and you own some. I'm surprised they are not dynamic enough, but subs will help. (Possibly high pass to the Gold 300s very low 50-60, to relieve 40 and below, and to play louder at higher Hz? I never had success but who knows; they say it can work.)

Room treatment is a good recommendation (I still need it myself!) with which I fully concur. Well done treatment works wonders. Good luck.

Get the subs for that rock-solid foundation to your music and movies. I need to read more about 3-4 subs versus one big one, or two. That Audio Kinesis Swarm set of four is supposed to be quite effective at 25oo or so. Along the same line, 3 or 4 well-placed SVS SB-2000s barely discontinued, each with it's own amp and room location. And there are plenty of deadly single subs out there.

@musicaddict - I've never heard a system, crossed at 40 Hz which didn't sound better crossed at 80 Hz when properly done.

Appreciate the responses. I have tried different crossover settings for Monitor Audio Gold 300s and find 60hz to be best with my current Paradigm Sub 12. 80hz may work better though with 2 or more subs.


I could get 2 additional subs and put the Paradigm at the rear of the room. I'll check out the subs you mentioned and see about 4. I've been told and have read, more is better. My concern is to get a good balance with speed and accuracy for music and decent rumble for movies. 4 smaller subs may work better .


Thanks for the input.

Nice speakers, however, I am not a fan of ports. If any, front facing for direct radiation of bass fundamentals and their overtones supporting definition/imaging. Not indirect diffuse multi-reflected sound waves as you have now.

You want to test/listen in 2 channel mode, not surround sound, no center, no sub, no surrounds, do that last.

As Eric suggested, I would start by temporarily closing the rear ports. It will not effect the mid and tweeter. It will effect the two 8" drivers.

Play something with distinct moments of highs, mids, and bass first, then temporarily cover the ports, what differences?

Now, are you wanting extended directional bass, or simply extended bass?

My home theater, I use 1 self powered sub, in a non-directional way, to simply add the dinosaur stomp in Jurassic Park, that kind of thing.

For music, bass is/can be stereo/directional, that requires a pair of front firing subs located adjacent to the mains. Self powered. Now you will know where the bass player is standing.

Balance the subs with the mains only, i.e. 2 channel with bass extension. Then, add the center and surrounds. Avoid too much surround volume. Generally (i.e. not specific helicopters from the rear left) you should not be aware of them until you turn them off and the sound collapses to the front. Many people have them too loud.

Keep in mind, much content has been altered along the way, If something is not sounding great, I switch to 2 channel mode, often find it better.