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Adding a sub. - can i start with one?

I’m pretty happy with my setup I’ve assembled over the past year. However I feel I am missing some oomph and I find I am turning up the volume a lot. My space is big (converted barn) with 18 ft vaulted ceilings and about 700 sq ft of space with hardwood floors and minimal soft furniture. 
 

So I am thinking adding a sub woofer will help increase the bass and maybe give me more of the kick in the sound I’m used to in my old room and prior older speakers and amp. 
 

I’ve read that most people add 2 subs to a system instead of one. I’d prefer to spend the 2500 per side over time and just get one for now. What’s the thinking on one channel sub vs two and can I consider going from 1 to 2 later on as another upgrade?

daveinpa
jl35
3,982 posts
 

you can absolutely start with one and get great sound...I did and quite enjoyed it, added another a year later...REL recently put out an article about one good sub doing better than two lesser ones...,you just gotta set it up real good, which is harder with one, but quite possible...

 

henry53's avatar
henry53
280 posts
 

I have a small room, 3.2 x 4.5 m, of odd shape, 2 smaller subwoofers solved my horrendous bass issues, one big one did not. For awkward rooms 2 subs can work wonders. I hear that big subs fill the room with bass, that was my experience, it totally ruined the soundstage.

stereo5's avatar
stereo5
6,388 posts
 

I bought 1 sub figuring I would most likely need a second one.  It proved not to be the case

blisshifi's avatar
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blisshifi
1,183 posts
 

Love the first response. That said the only downside of having only one sub, especially if you want the sub to add audibly to the bass, is that the imaging may distract you as the low bass might always seem to be coming from wherever the sun is despite the bass player actually being on the left or right side, so be prepared for that. 

That said, what speakers do you have and which subs are you looking at?

daveinpa OP
12 posts
 

I’ve got Audio Physic Tempo 25 speakers and looking at the REL S/510. I like the price point of the REL and it appears to be a very safe choice. My speakers have great imaging so will be curious how a single sub impacts that. I have lots of space so I can at least play around with placement. 

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