I use the REL Stentor III and I've also used their Stadium model. Both use a Speakon connection to my amplifier's output taps, along with my regular speakers. Integration has always been easy and seamless, as the amp sends only a small signal to the sub. There is an "overlap" of some of the higher bass frequencies, but I believe this contributes to the seamless integration I enjoy. I control the crossover point and the volume, and the placement on this "sub-bass" is typically where it provides the strongest signal. This is often the opposite placement as for traditional subs, and it's perfect for fitting it into a non-dedicated room: against a wall, or even in a corner is perfect.
Your sub experience: Easy or hard?
For those of us with subwoofers, I'm curious whether you thought integrating it was easy or difficult. That's it.
Of course, lots of DBA people will chime in. No problem but please ask that everyone stay on topic. If you want to discuss all the pro's and cons of DBA take it to a brand new thread. Thank you.
The focus here is just to ask how many people had easy or difficult times and what you thought was the difference.
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It was a challenge to get well tuned integrated bass in my 2 channel room. They are not not a smart subs a pair of VMPS Larger Subs, so I had to figure out optimal placement, crossover points and levels. Room Eq Wizard was a huge help in integrating, along with taking my time, and enjoying the process. That said, just getting REW setup if you are not familiar is a bit of a pain. In my home theater room with my SVS Sub it was fairly straight forward. |
I have a sub system that was not very popular when released 30-ish years ago, the Hsu Research TN 1225/Model 500 amp. Dr. Hsu is a passionate engineer for subwoofers. This passive system has the 500 watt amp that can run two of the 12in drivers in parallel. They are a cylindrical tube with basically that 12in footprint so makes placement fairly easy. Only needing to run a speaker wire also helps matters. I was able to integrate these with my Wilson Sophia running full range beautifully. I have the subs cut off at 43Hz and they are 100% invisible, one in the front to the left and one behind to the right. This was the only position I had and thankfully worked. My room is the front room of my house so very limiting on placement. Not sure if any mfg offers a similar passive system nowadays but this design has really worked well for musical bass with zero boom that I have heard so much from traditional powered boxes. |
We have just published our new white paper on this topic "Subwoofer Integration for Stereo Systems for miniDSP, REW and Dirac Live" Deer Creek Audio is an authorized miniDSP dealer. |
I bought a used REL SHO S/3 to add to my Magnepan's 1.7i and used this video to set it up and get dialed in: REL setup It absolutely blew my mind, how better my system sounded, highly recommend. If you have a Magnepan, get a REL. Away from the corner, closer to the speaker and closer to the side wall facing the listening position or on the room diagonal. |
- 133 posts total