Finally Learned: Subs serve much larger role than adding more low bass
I sold my older powered sub a while back. reasons-
1. It did not integrate well.
2. I was pretty satisfied with my 2 speakers bass output.
3. Was big, heavy and ugly.
After traveling around the counrty and listening to home systems put together by people who know their way around the industry I realized they all have something I did not. A well integrated bass array.
So what does a bass array add to a 2.0 system?
This is where words fail but I will try:
-Increased Involvement in the listening experience
-More enjoayble sound stage
So if you are like I was, a sub denier, I suggest you try one small
sub, as I did, and see what you experience. My $500 REL T5x experience
First Velodyne F-1800MkII in southern CO in the 90s was to me. I've had plenty of subs since, some RELs and now some SVS sealed (additional subs, sell nothing!)
Moved from one REL B1 (in theater now) to three subs: one SVS SB-3000 and two SB-2000s in my primary listening room, set at 50Hz. Need to add a fourth sub still and keep working a bit with positioning but it is much better than a single sub to my ears.
Most of the time they not particularly needed with my mains, but when low bass is on the track I hear it cleanly and with lots of backup reserve with subs set way low in volume. I'm a believer.
Always forget: first real experience in 'hearing' what a sub does without noticeable bass music was listening to Eva Cassidy's version of "Fields of Gold" a nice REL in the room. Turning the sub from off to on simply opened up the space Eva sang in. It was the first night and day experience I ever had 'hearing the room' through the subwoofer, and with no bass on the track.
First Velodyne F-1800MkII in southern CO in the 90s was to me. I've had plenty of subs since, some RELs and now some SVS sealed (additional subs, sell nothing!)
Big difference going from passive radiators (REL) on the bottom with NO slot, to a sub you can actually decouple, like SVS.
I like SVS they are at least a bit more up to date with speaker design.. REL is WAY behind.. I laugh at the stuff on their web site. That design would benefit from an East LA bass head to teach them how NOT to piss off the neighbors and make GREAT bass.
REL rattles the whole house.. NO ONE around me uses that type of sub.. Pisses off the neighbors, especially in garage systems close to neighbors bedrooms.. .. LOL Waves in the neighbors swiming POOL. Frogs vacating all the little ponds, JackHammer SUBS.. I Quit using that design in the 90s..
IB servo columns or OB servo stacks are a 10 in my book. REL 3-4, SVS 5-6, JL 6-7, IB servo dual or quad columns 9-10, GRs OB servo stacks 8-10 depends. Need two double 12" cabinets to really reap the rewards..
I've never heard ANY of the Wilson subs, but cab loaded drivers (horns) DIY are some of the best overall subs around. Jensen Imperial Subs is a good example.
Added a pair of SVS subs to my full range Kef Reference towers during covid lockdown. One of my better upgrades with out a doubt! I'm pleased with the addition.
My experience has been a combination of validation and learning. The Rythmik F12SE PEQ has been magically supportive of my Maggie 1.7s; however, my integrated Cronus Magnum III has been challenging, because my Maggies can't keep up and need to be crossed over at 80hz, 24db/octave high pass
So, I embarked on a passive crossover journey that resulted in a complicated story, resulting in me looking for a separate preamp, amp, and crossover. I'm hopeful my journey comes to an end or something close to it soon, because the system sounds so good and is only getting better.
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