Towers with built in subs vs separate subs


I debating on upgrading my paradigm founders 100f speakers to 120H speakers as they have built in subs and my space is limited. I would love to incorporateca a rel s510 but im concerned that i may not get my moneys worth out of it because placement is very limited.  I own rel ht1205 which i am very happy with for movies but i want something better for music. Plan is to remote my 1205 to the back of the room for movies and either trade up for the 120H paradigm with built in subs or add a s510 to my current paradigm 100 f's. 

Any thoughts?

 

sandrodg73

I like separate subs for several reasons:

  • Ability to put an EQ in line with the sub only
  • Ideally, using a high pass filter for the main speaker/amp which yields lower distortion and higher dynamic range
  • Ability to place sub more optimally

Don't those founder series also have the room correction built in?

if its the same ones i was listening to a couple weeks ago they are very good, I liked them better than the Focal Sopra 2's I also listened to.

The room correction system integrates the bass much better than any sub alone will. It only works on the bass section but after we took the measurements and let the software do its thing it smoothed out the bass response significantly in the smallish listening room at the dealer. made me stand up and consider them more seriously. 

A built-in subwoofer will perform better for music. The texture and pace of bass notes will better match with the main speakers.

The 120H speakers do have a port on them to use anthems room correction system which is supposed to be preatty good.  I understand the benefits of separate subs but given very limited options as to placement and the built in room correction of the 120s, the built ins are probably the way to go. I think Anthem/founders is having a sale right now too and I just bought the mrx740 avr which comes with the room correction stuff. Thanks all for the help.  Now to pitch it to the wife....wish me luck