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Subwoofers: add a JL Audio or switch to 2 Rythmic subs?

Am considering adding another subwoofer to my main rig.  System features Magico A5 speakers and one JL Audio E112 subwoofer in a dedicated 29' by 16' by 10' listening room.

The speakers run full range and the sub runs off the second line output of my Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp.  The sub is crossed over at about 40 hz via its own internal low pass crossover.

As is the system produces plenty of bass, which reaches to about 25 hz.  The sub is not detectable sonically but it's output in the low bass is a little down compared to mid and upper bass.

I've been contemplating adding another sub to smooth the bass response a little and also add a little output at very low frequencies.  I was also thinking about adding bass traps in the front corners behind the speakers, again to aid in low frequency smoothness (room currently untreated).

I'm intrigued and have been reading about the Rythmic subs (12SE).  They seem to be highly regarded by users on this site.  Additionally, they are available as a pair new for the same cost as one new JL E112.

Not sure if it's worth the trouble to even go down this road and looking for advice.

Thanks!

bobbydd
mijostyn's avatar
mijostyn
8,570 posts
 

Add another E112 and get a real two way crossover. JL makes one. 1/2 the benefit of using subs is being able to remove the low bass from the main speakers which lowers distortion dramatically. With two subs up against the wall between the main speakers you can run them up higher without affecting the image, 80 Hz or even higher in some instances. The ultimate set up would be to use digital bass management but as an AR buff you probably will not want a digital conversion at the output of your system. Do not mix subs! Now, in a room your size you will not get the ultimate slam factor out of two 12 inch subs. In a room about your size I use eight 12" drivers in 4 enclosures. You could probably do it with 4 subs. 

m-db's avatar
m-db
972 posts
 

The job of speaker positioning is to prioritizes sound stage. The job of a -3dB subwoofer position is to evenly load the room with low frequency. Don’t be confused by the sight of -6dB sub-bass speakers stacked next to main speakers. Sub-bass speakers roll of much earlier than subwoofers and barely begin to excite the rooms modes compared to subwoofers. The only relation subwoofer/s have to the speakers is within the subwoofers crossover region which gets accomplished from an unnoticeable distance.

A single sub without any signal processing located in the rooms loudest mode will most likely provide an increasingly unnoticeable integration at the listening position and require the least amount of the subwoofers volume. Two and three subwoofers in the rooms other modes can compound the size of the listening position, further reduce the rooms modes as well as the individual subwoofer volume. Four subwoofers become a distributed bass array requiring far less, if any, room mode attention.

Do the test before you spend a dime.

james633
1,025 posts
 

Have you tried the highpass in your E112? You just loop it in/out between the pre and amp. It will add some hiss for sure as JL’s electronics are very questionable but it should be night and day better. I would highpass at 60hz. If you like the sound of that the CR-1 would clean up the hiss as it is made much better than the junk in the E112 (I own two, no hate just calling it how it is). The E112 is a great driver backed by garbage electronics. 

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