2. speakers
  3. 175856-142800

Will I benefit from a subwoofer with 20Hz speakers?

My source is a minidsp shd studio with Dirac going into Denafrips Gaia DDC to Denafrips T+ DAC to McIntosh 601 Monoblocks to Cabasse Pacific 3 speakers. The speaker's published frequency response is 41-20,000Hz. I presume this is achieved in an anechoic chamber. In my room however, it goes down to 20Hz, at least according to the Dirac measurements. In fact, I needed to flatten the curve and  reduce by 5-20 DBs between 20-100Hz due to the room effect.

So, considering I already go down to 20Hz, is there anything else 1 or 2 subwoofers will do for my system?  Would it create a more consistent low frequency field? I see many people adding up to 6 subs, so I wonder what I'm missing. 

Thank you for your insight! 

dmilev73
erik_squires
16,172 posts
 

@lanx0003

The main thing to keep in mind from my blog is that it’s based on creating a fix appropriate to the measured room. Each room will be different.

I also didn’t really attempt to boost the low bass by itself. Clipping the peaks and then just adding a bass boost with a shelving filter is not the same as trying to push speakers where they can’t go. If your speakers are down 18 dB at 30 Hz and keep going down EQ is not going to solve your problems. :)

Also, as I explained, for my Jazz/Classical mid volume listening needs I'm OK.  If you like to push the volume then even with these results a subwoofer will become more important to you.  My choices were based on measurement and values/needs.  I hope the blog gives you an example of how to go about figuring out what you need and what's important to you.

lanx0003
862 posts
 

That was what I was saying "it is too good to be true" (without the aid from sub). I believe you know quite well that, in order to boost 6dB, you need to double the volume. So I wonder why do you even make fun 😀 of people when they question that as below. It is simply not doable either practically or in theory. That also lead to my next question in your post where you mentioned: "... Take my modest speakers. They use 6.5" woofers and a ported cabinet. Would you guess they went down to 20 Hz? They do..." How you achieve a flat response down to 20 Hz there? What is the frequency rating for your modest speakers (Squires SNR-1?)?

 

there’s no way speakers that are rated at 41 HZ are going to go down to 20 HZ in your room what kind of measurements are you using?

The words of those who don’t have a lot of practical😀 experience.

erik_squires
16,172 posts
 

How you achieve a flat response down to 20 Hz there? What is the frequency rating for your modest speakers (Squires SNR-1?)?

Please refer to my blog!

 

erik_squires
16,172 posts
 

OP: 

 

@dmilev73 May I have permission to use your frequency response picture on my blog??

erik_squires
16,172 posts
 

PS - The SNR-1 would be rated around 40 Hz anechoically. 

More to discover