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
Very interesting Raul

I do not for one minute pretend to know much about subwoofers as I have only had the sub for less than one day and bought it quickly. REL certainly has a very good name in 2 chanel music thou.
But as with anything I am willing to learn and make my own choices.

How do you cut off the output of your main speakers at 60hz??
Don't your amps run the speakers full range down to 22hz??

cheers
Dear Downunder: In my case I make the high-pass crossover directly in the amplifiers ( with a teflon cap ), around 50hz and the low-pass in de subwoofer crossover. In this way the signal that goes to the main speakers is almost un-touched.

Now, normaly both crossover frequencies set up through the dedicated subwoofer crossover: low-pass and high-pass. Normaly too almost all the subwoofers have this kind of crossover facilities but not on the REL ones because its approach is totally different. So you need to do it through an external electronic crossover.

Downunder, there are some misunderstood ( including the REL people and its customers. ) about the real subwoofer advantages and how can/could to improve the quality sound in our audio systems. The low bass improvement ( in quality and quantiy. ) is only one of its advantages and IMHO not the most important.
The main advantage, in my opinion, of two subwoofers in almost any audio system is to achieve a lower ( lot lower ) IMD/HD of your main speakers and when this happen it is an amazing experience that you can't live with out it.

Like everything in audio the in deep know-how on some critical subjects can/could make the difference between a very good performance and an extraordinary/outstanding one: well two subwoofers help you to achieve this!!!

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
Dear Downunder: I forgot: +++++ " Don't your amps run the speakers full range down to 22hz?? " +++++

No, my amplifiers/speakers run/work from 50hz up and the self powered subwoofers from 60hz down.

Regards and enjoy the usic.
Raul.
Hi Raul, You had mentioned that you would be interested in posting a picture of your in room freq response. You said in your last post "My main speakers are flat to 22Hz and only 5db +.- at 18Hz and I have benefits with the subwoofers integration to my system ), below 60Hz:"

I started a thread, in the Speakers section called "In Room Response". Where you can post a picture of your measurement. Several people myself included have allready done so. It would be great to see yours! I am using the FREE program: Room EQ Wizard available on the Home Theater Shack website. I look forward to your contribution to the thread.
Bob
Raul

Are you seriously saying that the $50 digital amps inside the paradim subs offer better quality sound to your Levinson 20.6 amps running your full range speakers between say even 30 and 50hz???
Lets not even talk about going lower where true subwoofers should be working.