Do you think you need a subwoofer?

Greetings Raul,

You seem to be the resident subwoofer expert. I own a pair of Avantgarde speakers (110dB/watt sensitve) designed to have 2 small subs per speaker, however, due to cost constraints, I only have one small sub per speaker. With bass heavy or extremely dynamic material, the subs obviously clip and is quite noticeable. I am currently augmenting the subs with a Velodyne HGS-18 Series 2 with very good result. I am thinking of getting another Velodyne HGS-18 (or DD-series) and have a stereo sub set up, retiring the low powered Avantgarde subs in turn. Am I on the right path or should I just buy another pair of the Avantgarde subs instead? Your thoughts please....

Best regards!

Hi Raul,

Thanks for your comments about how to hook up the 2 subs in stereo - it makes sense, just send one channel to each sub (either RCA, XLR, or high level).

However, your response did give me another question...

It appears as though you advocate using a crossover to take the low freq. information away from the main speakers (only have the sub handle low freq, as opposed to running both subs and speakers full range). Do you use the built-in crossover in the subs, and run your speaker cables from your subs to your main speakers? Or do you use some other crossover? If you use another external crossover, do you have examples of appopriate products? If the main speaker is a monitor that is -3db at 40hz, is it really necessary to use a crossover?

Thanks,

Todd

Dear Peepoy2: I think that you own the Trio, right? .
Well, Avantgarde are truly great an very special speaker design. Your model crossover point to the subs module is around 100Hz, I like it.

I think that before you go for the second Velodyne, try to talk with the Avantgarde people because their subs integrated design in the Trio has special characteristics in the crossovers for the subs module can integrate seamless to the horn module.

Now, with the info from Avantgarde you can check if with the Velodyne you can mimic the Avantgarde crossover characteristics and if you can then go for the Velodynes.

Other alternative is that your dealer can borrowed the additional Avantgarde subs modules for you can test in your system.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear Todd: +++++ " It appears as though you advocate using a crossover to take the low freq. information away from the main speakers (only have the sub handle low freq, as opposed to running both subs and speakers full range). " +++++

Yes, this is the main idea. You can do this using the internal crossover of the subs and running the signal to your main amplifier from each sub after the signal ( that comes from your preamp ) pass through the sub internal crossover.
You can do it, too, using an external crossover to run the signal to the main amplifiers. The Pass and Bryston crossovers are very good ones for this application.

+++++ " If the main speaker is a monitor that is -3db at 40hz, is it really necessary to use a crossover? " +++++

Yes, absolutely. Please read carefully at: http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&openflup&27&4#27

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.

Dear friends: Something that works very well with my Velodyne subs: I mass loaded ( top panel ) with around 25kg.

This can work with your subs. Try it and decide.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.