Dunlavy SC-IV minus SC-I = a good sub?


After an ear-glazing day at the Stereophile show in 1994, I landed in a room with Dunlavy SC-IVs, and right away felt they were the best thing I'd heard, just sounded good. I ended up hanging out there a long time.

I'd like to try some Dunlavys though I'll never get to audition any here in the desert...and see used SC-Is are quite reasonable (and shippable).

Clearly they won't have the bass of an SC-II, III, or IV. But to what degree would a sub make up any differences? Would the SC-I plus a sub give me a good sense of how larger Dunlavys might sound?

Thanks for generously sharing any thoughts.
river251
I think I did not do a good job of asking this question.

If I add a sub to an SC-1, which used lets one try the Dunlavy sound for a few hundred bucks (and less than a hundred shipping), I am afraid that the area between 100 Hz and 300 Hz will still be deficient of bass, and so an SC-1 plus a sub will still be much more lacking in bass than an SC-II, III, or IV.

Maybe nobody is answering because they are embarrassed for me for asking such an easy question. :-)
No, the SC-1 with a subwoofer will not give you the sound of an SC-IV. As far as bass output, it has a lot to do with the room, equipment and the person setting up the system.
I was a Dinlavy dealer back in the day. We sold very few SC-1's. Mainly for surround channels or for owners who already had the larger Dunlavy speakers and wanted a smaller monitor speaker for a smaller room.

The SC-1's with sub will not only have less bass, but no where near the BIG, FULLNESS of the larger models. The SC-2/3/4 are large speakers. Tall and pretty deep cabinets. Very dynamic with a large soundstage.

Will the SC-1 with sub give you "taste" of the Dunlavy sound? Sure, but nothing like their bigger brothers.

If you have the room, the SC-IV's are truly outstanding. The SC-III's are probably my favorite of the bunch and fit better into most rooms.
Thanks much. I'll not get the Is I have been eyeing. Thank you for helping me make that decision.

Mofimadness, why is the II (not the IIIa?) your favorite? I'd think the IV would be better?

Thanks...
River251...Like I said, the SC-III fits better into more rooms than the HUGE SC-IV. I LOVE the IV, (and the V & VI), but they are ginormous and really need a big room to work well. The SC-III, (not the SC-II) is my favorite. IMHO, it was the sweet spot of the Dunlavy line.