Why I'm not adding a sub to my 2-way monitors for music


 

I've updated my blog post with more data, more analysis and the conclusion that in my particular case I do not need a subwoofer.  I encourage everyone who is on the fence about adding a subwoofer or not to read and comment.  I think that either way you'll be able to make more informed buying and configuration choices.

Everyone's situation is different but I hope the post helps you get to the right conclusions.

 

erik_squires

Dear @prof  : I don't know ofr read somewhere that a CS7.2 owner used subs integrated with liberating the Thiel woofers for that low bass range posted.

 

Yes, I know and heard once thge Thiel sub. My post was specific for your Thiel model but I have to say that my last listening to that model was several years ago and " things " change over time as our " mind " too.

 

R.

P.S. - I just added distortion measurements to the original blog. Honestly, the numbers seem low, about 2% at 20 Hz???

I’m in the middle of a HT install (with a sub!) so I may not be able to get back to it, but I wanted you all to know I did in fact do more on this but that it probably deserves more exploration before I stand by the distortion numbers.

 

Best,

 

Erik

Sorry gang, I dropped this thread due to being busy at work, and busy re-working the HT part of the living room.  I'll try to catch up on the questions by this weekend.

Hi @rauliruegas 

 

Couple of things.  I meant that I would expect a 6.5" woofer to have a -3 dB point around 40 Hz. That doesn't mean that there is no output below that.  In fact, upon reflection I realized that when I made these speakers I cheated in a couple of ways.  I already had bass traps, and I always intended these speakers to be used near the rear wall, so I designed the crossover accordingly.  This flies in the face of "best practices" for speakers which is to make speakers that are measured as if in an echo-free world.  My measurements and test location were HUGE cheats and I'm sure the good Dr. Joe D'Appolito would be very unhappy with me.

What I mean by subwoofers being tone controls is that there is by merely introducing a subwoofer we are altering the tonal balance of our system, and that the end result must be set by personal preferences. There is no such thing as an objectively neutral subwoofer installation.

Dear @erik_squires  : My mistake was that I read in your link: cut off at 40hz, now I understand thewhole subject. Thank's.

In the other side, yes integration of subs in a system always alter the tonal balance of that system and at least for me that's exactly what I was looking for when I integrated the subs to my room/system and yes too to your statement:

"  and that the end result must be set by personal preferences. There is no such thing as an objectively neutral subwoofer installation. "

 

Thank's again for your explanation.

 

R.