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Subwoofer for nearfield Omega Compact Alnico Monitors setup

I just purchased the Omega CAMs and I'm driving them directly out of the RCA output of my Chord Dave.
The room is around 16sqm (172sqft) and 4m (13ft) high.
The speakers are 1.2m (4ft) from each other and from the listening position and 20cm (8inch) from the wall.

The speakers sound truly fantastic, I could describe them like bigger Utopia headphones but with much more soundstage depth and less bass.
I can't say they are too lean, the bass is there, tight and precise, just perfect for Folk Music, Jazz and even classic Rock.
But obviously moving to EDM (yes, I'm quite eclectic on the genres...) you feel that there is something missing.

I've been reading a lot about the benefits of adding a sub to a stereo setup and would like to give it a go.
I am considering subs for monitoring like Yamaha SH8S and JBL LSR310S (also because they have an XLR in which would be perfect as I would connect them to the XLR out of the DAVE).
However there is plenty of more commercial solutions (like REl, SVS etc...) and I can't figure out which direction to take.

I'm looking for a SUB that will blend in the sound of the monitors without becoming too aggressive (music ONLY, no HT for God's sake!).

Any suggestion or comment will be welcome.
doraymon
schubert
7,386 posts
 
I also have a pair of SAMS . Took about 300 hrs to break in . I’ve had two
other smaller ones over the years .
They are what they are, fantastic midrange, but you have to get up to
a 8k Tannoy to get any real dynamics in a single driver .
I cant speak for rock because I don’t listen to it but I read it is louder
but more compressed than the jazz and classical I do.


SAMS are about as good as anything with small Jazz groups and Classical Chamber music but lacking with big-band or Symphonic music . Not to say it’s bad, but just for the picky not quite there .

I never thought of going the sub route because I’ve heard heard a dozen Omega owners say, "Oh isn’t that great " when it was not .

I use it mostly for jazz in a smaller room and like them , but doubt I would have bought them had a nice guy I know not sold me a mint pair for 900$ when his firm moved him to Italy with 30 day notice .

doraymon OP
13 posts
 
I use it mostly for jazz in a smaller room and like them , but doubt I would have bought them had a nice guy I know not sold me a mint pair for 900$ when his firm moved him to Italy with 30 day notice .
I have to say I feel much more enthusiastic about my Omegas.
In my nearfield setup I found myself mesmerized by how realistic and engaging the music sounds out of the CAMs, thanks to a huge stereo image, a beautiful airy sound and the ability to reproduce the even the fastest transients (not trying to show off here with trendy words, what I mean is the ability to reproduce e.g. a piano or guitar note where you can hear the tiny change from when the note is struck to the quick decay immediately after).
Yes, the bass could do with a bit more energy, but hey, you get really a lot for giving up a little.

Excuse my ignorance but I don't understand what you mean with " you have to get up to a 8k Tannoy to get any real dynamics in a single driver".
What do you mean by real dynamics?
zm
121 posts
 
I recently paired a REL T/5i with my Super Alnico Monitor XRS, and while it took some effort to set it up, I am now pleased with the integration. I have the crossover and volume set super low, and the effect is to give a subtle but perceptible "lift" to the entire presentation. It does not present as boosted bass so much as fuller sound, and you don’t realize what it’s doing until you turn it off.

Edited to add that I mostly listen to acoustic small group jazz and chamber music (baroque).  A big time bass head might not be satisfied with what I've done, but it works for me!
doraymon OP
13 posts
 
The REL T/5i is exactly the one I am looking at together with cheaper solutions like the B&W ASW608.
redwoodaudio
415 posts
 
I had Omega Alnico towers for 6 months.  Had to augment with subs.  The bass never "filled in."  Sorry, they're small drivers... not going to happen.  I bought a pair of matching Speed 10 subs from Louis.  Helped a lot, though difficult to integrate crossover/gain-wise -- took a lot of tweaking with different music -- but satisfying... until I found my new Harbeth 30.2s!!!
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