Sub Pairing With Harbeth 40.3 XDs

How big is your room? SVS ported subs are pretty amazing for the price. If you want the concert feel, ported subs are for you.

All the best.

JD

I must agree - my 40.2's have all the bass (and more) than I'll ever want.  And... they simply must be driven and controlled by a high power SS amp, with a high damping factor (4000 for the H590).

My 30.1's also sound superb with the H590.  

They almost have too much bass - but, that's probably the room / placement.

I'm running two JBL 2269H 18 inch drivers in two custom cabinets that are based on the JBL SUB18 cabinet.  My sub cabinets are passive, ported cabinets.  Crossover is a McIntosh MEN220 and the 18's are driven by a McIntosh MC500.  I have a concert level kick drum feel in my living room if I want it and the subs will completely integrate and "disappear" for all the rest of my critical listening.  Nothing like JBL low end...but it must be set up right.  Crossover point and slope is critical to good integration.

I highly recommend 2 subwoofers.  This has improved my system immeasurably.  I had big problems with base at 60 and 120 hz. due to room sizes. I use 2 Definitive Technology super cubes 4000. I have tried KEF, SVS and Sony but can hear nil difference. Using 2 smaller subs helps with speed and balance, I also use a Minidsp, whilst I resisted for years this has been a revelation. Removing the bass to my main speakers below 70 Hz has improved their dynamics and pace, I cut the room node frequencies by 6dB and roll off the bass starting at 40dB.  You can also try altering the phase of 1 or both subwoofers.  

I can’t really comment on the 40.3’s but I did sub my SHL5+’s. Two B&W ASW-610 subs directly underneath definitely did the trick. It took a little while to hone them in but it seriously added the punch you so desire. For the 40’s you may want to size up a little. Since my Mac C2700 allows for additional outputs I activated a second output and can turn them on or off at will. Most of the time I leave them on but there are a few Lp’s and especially CD’s out there where the bottom end is pretty enhanced already. Best of luck.