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The perfect satellite/subwoofer system ...

...is essentially a 4-way system and preferably fully active.

Bear with me.

The original satellite/subwoofer systems were often 2-way satellites with a subwoofer, or a 3-way system. This caused a number of problems which I think have overall contributed negatively to their acceptance in the modern day audio world. Either the satellites were too small, and had a high crossover to the subwoofer or they used larger mid-woofers and then the the tweeter crossover was too low, again limiting the dynamic range of the system as a whole. 

A perfect satellite/subwoofer system has to have lots of dynamic range in the satellite and the subwoofer along with excellent vertical and horizontal dispersion. The 2-way + sub is a compromise.

Also, by going active we can achieve something we almost never see in passive speakers:

Perfect 4th order filters.

That gives us excellent vertical and horizontal dispersion (assuming the right size drivers).

The solution is, perhaps, using a 3-way satellite system with 4th order (electro + acoustical) filters, and an expected -3 dB point of ~ 80 Hz (the THX standard). As part of this equation it also means the 3-way ends in an 8 or 10" woofer, which being bandwidth limited is going to have excess dynamic range.

Yes, I’m bored, and yes I’m hoping to take some wind out of the discussion about science vs. A’gon. :D

erik_squires
kota1
2,706 posts
 

@erik_squires 

You make a good point about ARC being good at sub integration. I have used ARC in my desktop system with a 2.1 passive setup driven by the Paradigm PW-AMP and also with a 2.1 active speaker driven by the Paradigm PW-Link. Both setups were in my very small office space with limited room treatment and I noticed the sub integrated seamlessly, like being wrapped in a bubble of sound.

So this week I am trying something new in my HT which uses Audyssey Pro room correction. My processor has two sub outs I want to add a third sub in the back of the room. I got a 12 inch wall mounted sub from Monoprice. My rear surround and rear height (atmos) speakers are both driven by PW-Amps. I am going to mount that sub about 6 feet high on the rear wall. Then connect the sub out ports from the amps to the left and right in ports on the sub. Calibrate the rear surrounds with ARC, then the rear height speakers with ARC. Then rerun audyssey. This should give me some directional bass in the back of my room for both the rear surrounds and atmos height channels. Will let you know how it goes.

erik_squires OP
16,447 posts
 

Well, my experience is that even 1 subwoofer, if PERFECTLY dialed in is not directional. However that caveat, PERFECTLY, is hard to achieve.

I would however worry about raising a subwoofer causing any wall or stand rattling, which is a major reason why listeners report they can hear the location of the subwoofer.

Let us know.

kota1
2,706 posts
 

Check it out, it's designed for wall mounting:

 

https://www.monoprice.com/product?p_id=35847

erik_squires OP
16,447 posts
 

That's cool, let us know how it performs!!

kota1
2,706 posts
 

Hey @erik_squires , I got the sub installed today but have yet to calibrate it. I was worried that "slim" meant wimpy...NOT. This thing is HUGE but manageable. In this pic of my back wall you can see:

1) The Paradigm 20 height channel for the right height channel. 

(In the upper right corner of the pic you can see a glimpse of the Auralex Sustain Lens diffusor hanging as an "acoustic cloud). 

2) The amps I am using for the rear surrounds and rear heights is blurry in the pic but is to the left of that height speaker. Those amps have a sub out ports, both are connected to the sub below.

3) The Monoprice SSW 12 "Slim" Sub (LOL).

4) Below the sub I have the tan colored absorbers on two inch spacers mounted to the wall.

5) To the right of the tan absorbers you can see my R rear surround speaker which is specially designed for wall mounting.

6) To the R of the subwoofer you can see two Auralex Sustain Pyramid diffusors which are back filled with polyfill so they double as bass traps.

I will calibrate the sub using the ARC room correction of those amps in the back of the room so it integrates with the rear surround and rear height channels. Then rerun Audyssey pro on the entire theater, Will report after it breaks in a bit.

 

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