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 Sirspeedy: +++++ " but still have no reason to want more from my own low end performance... " +++++

this is almost the same that you posted in 2005 before you agree.

This sentence IMHO and with all respect to you tell me that you don't understand yet the whole means of the subwoofer goals to improve the quality reproduction of any system including the one that you just heard and yours.

Mark, you are the one that are loosing the quality improvement of the two subwoofer subject and it is ok for me.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Bob: I like you need to do it.
+++++ " I have my room fairly well acoustically treated and have been able to obtain a good inroom response. " +++++

this is a critical subject and a very important link in the audio chain, good for you that already take care about: congratulations!.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Raul,with all due respect I think you can use a bit more education,on the sub bass issue!
First of all,to flatly mention that two are automatically the way to go is just wrong!!...There are some circumstances to consider(crossover point),which I adhere to...before I make ANY changes in my system.
As to low bass,and the "need" for a sub...this is absolutely based on the "in room" performance of the main speakers.
A sub can be added for different reasons,and I will give you two...
Firstly,if the main speaker does not go "very low" in bass,then your theory is best,and one will "most likely" benefit from two subs....BTW,I have owned two BIG Infinity speaker systems,BOTH employing two multi driver sub cabinets,so I know about the bass issue in my room.
My current speakers,unlike yours are moved quite far out into my room,to maximize their amazing soundstage capabilities.I can do this because I have a dedicated room.However,one loses some bass impact(not frquency loss)due to the "particular" room loading issue.
I have useable output down to the mid to low thirty hz with this positioning,but the extreme bottom needs a bit of added heft.Not alot,and at very low frequencies!Most likely lower than you go in "your set-up"!From your pictures,you seem to have the main speaker far back,which affects stage depth.

So,the second point(one you MUST take into account before automatically telling someone to spend money on a second sub)is "how low do the main speakers go,in the room,and where does one need to crossover to a sub"?
Before I made any sub choice,I obtained the advice of Dave Wilson(I think he knows a bit about the subject),and maybe you don't know that bass frequencies below 60 hz are perceived as "omni directional",so if the "main" speakers go low enough,and one crosses over low enough(I crossover at 24 hz)then the issue of two subs comes down to a pretty irrelevant decision.
If one sub, set up with very good room loading/blend,and coming in very low,does the job,and if the main speaker has superb low bass output,the second sub is not a necessity.
Of course if one needs the sub to crossover in the upper bass,then two is the way to go.I believe your thoughts relate to a higher crossover point then I need.
I'm going with Dave Wilson on this one,not to mention that I am quite satisfied.
Best.
Dear Sirspeedy: +++++ " and maybe you don't know that bass frequencies below 60 hz are perceived as "omni directional",so .... " ++++++

certainly that I know about.

Sirspeedy till you understand what means intermodulation distortion and harmonic distortion specially on non self-powered loudspeakers ( any ) we can't follow speaking about because you are talking only about low bass response that it is only one of several aplications of subwoofers and IMHO not the most important to improve the quality sound reproduction in any audio system.

+++++ " First of all,to flatly mention that two are automatically the way to go is just wrong... " +++++

this kind of statement has no single support ( real ) from your part.

I don't want to follow this " dialog " because your non know-how about only could confuse to other people and IMHO can't help to any one, I'm sorry not to have the right " education " here but I can't explain it in other educated way. Please don't bad feelings, I respect and you have my appreciation.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.