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Subwoofer suggestions for budget system?

My current setup is a pair of Magnepan 1.6 speakers, a pair of Schiit Vidars, Schiit Sol turntable w/Goldring E3 cartridge (I have a VAS-rebuilt Denon DL-103 with Ebony shell and microridge stylus when I can get someone to come set it up for me), Mani 2 phono stage, Asgard 3 headphone amp acting as preamp, Schiit SYS as source selector, Modi 3+ connected to Volumio for streaming digital and an Orchard Audio RCA-to-XLR converter to drive the Vidars in monoblock mode.

I'd like to add a subwoofer to the mix that can keep bass out of the Maggies.  I'd, of course, prefer a dipole sub to go with the dipole speakers, but not terribly picky ATM.  My budget is around $200 to $300 for now.  I have been very tempted to build a pair of my own subs, but that's not in my budget right now.

Suggestions?

technotoad
soix
9,591 posts
 

@grislybutter Great!  Did you get the crossover, volume and phase set properly?  How does it sound now?

grislybutter
3,122 posts
 

@soix I did what the manual said. It sounds better. Still reading up on it and tweaking. Maybe there is no chemistry between Dynaudio and SVS :) 

grislybutter
3,122 posts
 

and it does sound better, especially at lower volumes, like under 80db

soix
9,591 posts
 

Experiment with lowering the crossover and volume if things are getting unwieldy when you turn up the volume as that shouldn’t happen with proper setup. What Dynes do you have and where do you currently have the crossover set? You might also try placing the sub in one of the other places you found to be good for a sub while you were crawling around like a baby audiophile. Heh heh. Seriously though, nice work and you’re clearly benefitting significantly from all your efforts (and I’d think probably learning a lot too — always good). I think you’re now seeing why the SB1000 Pro is desireable with its integration app that you can use from your listening chair to make adjustments. That said, if you haven’t already it’d probably be a huge help to have someone else slowly adjust the crossover/volume/phase while you sit in the listening position. I could see that being pretty tough to do on your own.

grislybutter
3,122 posts
 

I keep the crossover low (50-ish) since the Dyna's claim 40Hz–23kHz
I need to figure out if the phase change helps, if only my CFO would do the nob turning for me :)
I'd say the best part is, when the SVS works right, the 3D effect really kicks in. I am all about vocals so my main concern is to keep it bright, forward as if the singer was right in front of me, not behind the drums and I sense that deep bass can swallow the room easily

 

Evoke 20s on my custom stands
 

 

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