Do you think you need a subwoofer?


Why almost any one needs subwoofers in their audio systems?

I talk with my audio friends about and each one give me different answers, from: I don't need it, to : I love that.

Some of you use subwoofers and many do in the speakers forum and everywhere.

The question is: why we need subwoofers ? or don't?

My experience tell me that this subwoofers subject is a critical point in the music/sound reproduction in home audio systems.

What do you think?
Ag insider logo xs@2xrauliruegas
Dear Goatwuss: From your preamp: left output to your left side sub and right output to your right side sub .

About your REL question: my english is really bad and I can't understand what you mean.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Biomimetic: About your superteeters question: no, it is not tiring. I think that, like the subwoofers, in many audio systems the integration of STs is a must to have too.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
I just acquired Cain & Cain IM-Ben fullrange speakers with a pair of matching C&C Bailey subwoofers. The Ben's are still burning in 10 hours a day, out of phase, facing each other.

But, I have been trying to figure out the best way to integrate them. The Bens are 40Hz-31kHz and run without any x-over except to attenuate/high pass the tweeter output. The 6" Fostex FE-168 Sigma fullrange driver rolls off naturally at the low end.

Terry Cain suggests starting with the subwoofers crossed in at 80Hz. As Raul has pointed out, this means that they will probably still produce some sound up to 100Hz. Which got me thinking, this is into the range of stereo reproduction, so my current Paradigm X-30 sub x-over may not be the best tool.

The X-30(like most sub XO's) takes L/R channel input and sums the channels into a mono signal for the subwoofers. This is ok for music below 60Hz(maybe even 80), but above that I don't know. Perhaps it is best to run true L/R stereo signals to the subs instead of summed mono. Though, i don't know how this affects room interactions. Mono LF signals supposedly help cancel some room nodes.

The X-30 also only accepts line-level inputs, while the X-20 uses amp/speaker level inputs. I remember reading somewhere that speaker level inputs are actually better because the subs see the exact signal the mains are from their amplifier.

Regardless, in my case, line level RCA inputs won't work because I run 40 ft. balanced cables from my preamp (S&B TVC) to my 300B SET monoblock amps which have Jensen XLR->SE input transformers. I'd have to buy 4 new line transformers to do this with the X-30. At that cost, it would be easier to simply buy two X-20 speaker levels x-overs.

Any thoughts on this guys? Is stereo subs best in my situation?

The obvious downside of running true stereo subs is cost. I have not been able to find any affordable crossovers that do true stereo output.
Dear Darkmoebius: +++++ " Perhaps it is best to run true L/R stereo signals to the subs instead of summed mono. " +++++.

Absolutely. If you have two subs it is a must to run in stereo way.

Bryston and Pass have very good X-over that can meet your targets.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Hi Raul,

Believe it or not, I actually picked up a Pass Labs XVR1 crossover for a friend, but had to ship it back to him one day later. So, I never got to use it.

The Pass X-O is built like a 200wpc amp, it must weigh 40-50lbs.

I also did some reading about the Bryston 10b a few nights ago. One just sold here on Audiogon for $500 in under 8 hours.

I was hoping to find a cheap solution, but a good crossover is going to cost money. I guess the results will be worth it. I'll let you guys know how it works out.