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Have you moved away from full range to standmount speakers + subs?

I want to know if you have been on a journey moving from a large full range speaker to a smaller one paired wit subs, maybe even four subs.


Maybe you moved away from the big speakers because you had too much bass or you got a better soundstage from the smaller speakers. Let me know what motivated you and if you think it’s better now.


My motivation for wanting to try smaller speakers.


I have the Tekton DI and until a month ago I was using a LM845P SET amp to drive them.

It only sounded good on simple jazz and vocals but on complex music everything was falling apart.

I am not playing loud but I think it was the low 2 ohm load in the midrange that made the LM break down.


I bought a used PS Audio BHK250 and pre and it was like getting new speakers. Never ever had it occurred to me that speaker and amp matching could have such a profound effect.


So I am enjoying my speakers now and listen to music I have avoided like the plague and enjoying it (:


But all of this got me thinking, what if I paired my LM845P with an easy to drive speaker and paired it with some subs?


Then the LM845 could do what it's best at, playing glorious midrange and the subs could play the bass.

So that's my motivation for trying smaller speakers.


I am also hoping that maybe I could get better and more even bass with 2 or 4 subs. Maybe a better soundstage because the small speakers have a very small baffle.

martin-andersen
pcrhkr's avatar
pcrhkr
275 posts
 
The thing about subs. You can have small speakers which get voices and treble well but matching them with a sub can be tricky. I suggest audtioning with several.  Just throwing in any sub with any smaller speakers might not work well.  With larger speakers you can EQ the low end to get the job done without a sub. If your a bass head, then sub.  If not matched well it may sound unbalanced.  Just my opinion.  
stevenpettinga's avatar
stevenpettinga
6 posts
 
I still have my 1974 Advents (3 pair) 2 Yamaha Amps (750) watts each, my turntable & 2 CD players with a mixer & cd recorder to make mix tapes.  I sweetened the Advents up with 4 JBL concert tweeters (with the blue plastic triangle in them).  It still sounds incredible.  Maybe $2,500 in the whole set up.  Up in the living room I did not want a hulking stereo.  So I built the house with ceiling 5 channel speakers and an AV amp (which none of them really have enough connections).  Trying to hook it up is a nightmare and then the sound does not blow me away.   Two years ago, I bought a Techniques CD player, ported bass speakers and each speaker is independently powered and equalized with a total of 500 to 700 Real watts. Then I really wanted a stern experience, so I got a NAIM Mu So and companion.  They are similar except it does not have a built in CD player.  These little guys produce truly great sound, yet they are  foot deep, 5"tall and 18" wide.  They are a bit pricy, but what isn't?  The only real problem is not one remote will work my set up, so I need 3.  Sometimes I long for the 3 or 4 dial buttons and channel changer days, you just turned it on and it will play.  Now, I'm watching a lot of music videos on YouTube (Premium) which seems to get better by the day.  Gosh,  I love both set ups. - Steven Pettinga, Indianapolis
stevenpettinga's avatar
stevenpettinga
6 posts
 
Stereo experience
limomangus's avatar
limomangus
1,426 posts
 
I feel my floor standing speakers do a great job...I don't need a sub.
audiorusty
270 posts
 
Satellites and subs can work very well, they can also be a huge pita.

With a floor stander, a designer has created a type of basic, bass management circuitry in the cabinet. Most subs only have partial bass management capabilities, a very few will have complete bass management capabilities and none will have extensive bass management capabilities.

If I were to do a satellite plus sub system, (and I would) I would not put one together that did not have at least some type of complete bass management.
I am also hoping that maybe I could get better and more even bass with 2 or 4 subs.
 Multiple subs will absolutely give you smoother bass.
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