my 2 cents: you need money for 2 subs to try to 2 subs. My problem solved.
(I have one sub, purely because I lucked out, I could afford zero)
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?
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- 66 posts total
Never heard of the term group delay before, but maybe that’s it. The Rythmik sub uses a direct servo motor system to control transient response precision. The SVS in comparison sounds like the cone is slower to change direction. If it’s phase alignment that’s being referred to, I can confidently assert that it’s unrelated to my comments. Both the Rythmik and SVS have manual phase adjustments. |
Yes group delay matters a lot with subs. group delay and phase are related. The audioholics information is very good. Many subs are delayed enough they are a full cycle back. The kicker is it can change at different frequencies so you can’t just adjust it out with a simple phase knob. At the lower frequency the cycles are so long (slow) it is less of an issue but still very relevant. It is one of the down side of having all the high tech processing in subs these days. It all takes time even though it is still pretty fast. I personally will not buy a sub unless see the group delay measurement as I feel it is important. In a system where timing can not be corrected (99.9% of 2ch preamps). Think of it as input lag ratings of computer monitors.
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@james633 Sounds like why I chose to give up on the parametric EQ section of the amp on my Rythmik sub, soon after buying it. Sounds significantly better and faster to me without applying a specific FR curve. |
The argument that convinced me to go with two subwoofers says: The bass wave is extremely long at the low end of the sub’s output, and the listener cannot tell where it originates. The sub’s output higher up the spectrum enters the zone where the listener can tell where it originates. And we want every directional cue we can get for the best soundscape. Admittedly not much information is ‘lost’ to the listener with only one sub - if any is ’lost’ at all at those frequencies - you’re already down at 28Hz. It’s a matter of a few percentage points improvement, maybe only 1% or 2%. For me it was vital improvement. Bass and drums took on a richer, finer texture, and the soundscape resolved more completely. But then, my crossover points are in the low thirties and upwards of fifty for Magnepans.
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- 66 posts total