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
I think Doug would be surprised at the benefit from a single REL Stentor III crossed at 25Hz, but only by listening would he know for sure.
Thanks, George_a. Of course the REL methodology bypasses one of the advantages espoused by Raul, reducing the LF load on your main amp and speakers to allow them to produce the midbass and up with lower distortion. Which method is better? One could only know by trying both in the same system.

I've actually heard a Stentor, though not in my room or system. It wasn't dialed in properly so I didn't learn much. The system actually sounded cleaner without it.
Hello Doug,

Adding the REL is a quick solution that most likely would result in a nice improvement without any chance of hurting your sound.

Ideally, you would want an external crossover so that each driver would get just what it needs but that is not an option for most of us. I personally would not want a sub with a full crossover to fed a speaker with a full crossover. One could still come out ahead but it would not ideal.

Anyhow, no end of things to try and people telling you to try them!
George
Doug, a small cap can be installed at the input to your amp as a high-pass first order filter. This is how Raul is high-passing his main speakers.

In theory, the benefit is bypassing the sub high-pass filter with the more phase correct first-order cap, releiving the ampo of LF signals, while using the low-pass higher order filter in the sub only.
I don't think any of us have to act like any kind of salesperson,here.If anyone wants to add "good" low frequencies,to an already good speaker,then the technology is readily available.The problem,to me,on this thread,is that some of the recommendations may scare away some potential music lovers,with the inference of needing 2 units,or additional crossovers.It is simply NOT true.

Me?I really don't care if one does not want to explore the benefit of lowering bass frequencies.It is easy to be dissuaded(I hope I spelled that correctly).

Originally,when Avalon introduced their ported designs,in the Eidolon,it sent up a RED FLAG to me,because they had ALWAYS been insistent about the advantages of a sealed enclosure.They touted this "BIG TIME" in their owner's manuals.With extensive documentation,and scientific arguments in favor of the sealed cabinet.However,it was apparent that they could sell more product by making the enclosure more compact,and putting the HUGE external crossover (of my Ascents) in one cabinet.I had auditioned the newer ported designs at the time,but did not feel there was a big enough edge to move away from my current speaker.

About that time I discovered the REL line at HE 2001.I would have loved to add,just a bit of low freq depyh to my Ascents,and felt this would enhance performance if I could make a seamless transition.This,originally,like Doug's experience,was not the case in dealer systems.I kept coming back to the subject,for the next 2 years.Sterling Trayle(then of Sumiko)told me that my dealer was not demoing the Stentor correctly(the same dealer,Doug,who sold me the Triplaner).The dealer's manager,then,told me that I could have a money back guarantee,if the sub didn't work,as I wanted it,and Sumiko claimed it would.

Well it has been a fabulous investment(the manager was fired later,though it had nothing to do with his offer to me,but he was the ONLY good employee there).

Finally,and to me this is a HUGE point!Generally speaking,most hobbyists use too much bass.This is easy to do with a new sub,myself included.This is why I am so sceptical of any thoughts from either Raul,or anyone else,for that matter.Also,my advise should,also,be taken as just one more hobbyist,with a bass tuning set-up that is really an unknown commodity.

Almost always,I hear way too much bass from systems that have the capability to dole it out.Even my friends(except Sid,who is borderline,here)who have everything from Infinity's to Pipe Dreams,love to "DISH IT OUT"!!Fun,but not realistic!

The bottom line,and one reason a good one box sub set-up WILL work,is if you are careful,and don't get carried away,to simply underpin your low bass(extend it down,a bit,without overkill,which you WILL find hard,only because overkill is so damn much fun)you can EASILY be successful.It will take some time,but can be done,without a large investment or the extra space for 2 units(which is admittedly better,but not necessary,unless you are so fanatical,that you cannot live with one or two turntables.Or 5 cartridges aren't enough for you).Come and get me "R"!!

Anyone else wanting to "rationalize" not benefitting from low bass information,due to fear of costs,or system complexity,is losing an opportunity to add real insight to their listening pleasure.Make the effort to try it out.You may be pleasantly surprised!Best wishes!
"Too much Bass", an addiction! You are dead right, SirSpeedy.

I just started weening myself down off heavy bass out of my subs this weekend. For the last couple of weeks I've been listening to an artificially high level just because I could and it felt GOOD.

But, over the last several days I kept getting the feeling that it was too much. No matter how much I turned up my main speakers, the bass was just too prominent.

So, little by little, I've been turning them down. Not intentionally or conciously, just every once in a while I'd get up and turn it back a little.

It's still too much, but a lot less than I had. I figure by mid next month, I ought to somewhere near reality.

On a side note, yesterday I moved all the furniture out of my living room and moved my system to the other side of the room. Someone just tipped me off to the fact that I was losing a tremendous amount of midrange due to the open wall behind the speakers which looked down onto my dining room.

I also moved the subs in between my mains instead of outside them.

Good God, was he ever right! And my low frequencies are much more even now according to a test disc I've been using. I've only got two problem areas now - a massive 24-34Hz boost and a nearly complete suckout 54-64Hz.

This 24Hz bump is huge, but so little music strays into that I area I haven't noticed it as of yet, except for the test tone notes. Which is why I kind of like to think of it as a free sub amp EQ boost.

The 60Hz suckout is a different matter, altogether.