Your experience of moving to two subs


Hi all, I have a 2.1 system with the sub sounding best in the center between the loudspeakers. My speakers have substantial, deep, and detailed bass for their size and with the SS amp I’ve chosen. Thus, the sub’s optimal crossover setting is only at about 28hz. I have plenty of bass amplitude going on -- don’t need "more" bass.

I’m wondering about soundstage effects of having two subs on the outsides of my speakers, though. Having my sub in the center does result in some apparent compression of the low frequencies towards the low-center area. The L and R channels from my preamp are combined at my sub. I know some people may disagree and think that the source of frequencies below 60hz can’t be located by human hearing, but my experience tells me differently.

Does anyone have an opinion on the benefits of 2 subs vs only 1 when there’s no need for more bass oompf?

128x128gladmo

I didn’t think I would get such high quality responses here in a row! Starting with low expectations worked out well 😆 I’ve been very satisfied with the sound I’ve been getting from my Rythmik F12G in the med-large room my system is set up within, so I’ve kept putting other upgrades above getting a second one of them. But it’s helpful to get this feedback.

Thankfully, I’ve never had any difficulty integrating subs by ear using manual phase and crossover adjustments. I do have an SVS SB2000 in a different system, so I think I’ll play with trying to integrate it into my main system temporarily, just to see if I can get a general sense of this wild world of sub-bass "smoothness". I have an extra set of longer subwoofer signal cables to make it work, too.

I’m also now thinking that since my Rythmik is the one with the paper cone (vs aluminum) for faster response, and there must be more distortion involved because of the relative flimsiness of paper, that two subs working less hard would help increase clarity. Honestly, hard to imagine more sub-bass clarity than what I have now, but I’m sure it’s possible.

In our last house, I had 2 subs and it was fantastic. Everything was improved. The only hard part was spending considerable time integrated them both properly with one another and the room.  

Thus, the sub’s optimal crossover setting is only at about 28hz. I have plenty of bass amplitude going on -- don’t need "more" bass.

 

No, not it isn't. But good luck to you.