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Subwoofer thoughts from a newbie...

I have been noticing from people I know that use a subwoofer that a subwoofer seems to get used in the wrong way(or different way). It seems to me that a subwoofer should be used to capture the frequencies that the satelites or mains don't get. That is the way my subwoofer is set up, but it seems people use subwoofers to punch up frequencies handled by the mains and in incense, the subwoofer are duplicating frequencies. Am I using my sub wrong?

Also, I have placed my subwoofer right in the middle of my mains, against the back wall, and that goes against what I hear about placing it in the corner. The two mains are focused to such a degree that it sounds like everything is coming from the center subwoofer and then out of nowhere something kicks in from the far left or far right, especially with classical music. I may be doing it wrong, but it works ok on my so-so system.

I sometimes turn off the subwoofer and honestly, most of the music that I listen to doesn't need a subwoofer. What the subwoofer does for me is add dynamics here and there throughout the music I listen to when the sub is on. I listen to some rock and when it thunders, the sub kicks on. That sort of thing.

What about others?
matchstikman
matchstikman OP
205 posts
 
I have some "Ok" mains, B&W DM602, that I am hoping to upgrade to Vandersteen 2Ce later on this year. The DM602 are great for Mid and Hi, but they don't do much at the low end; hence, the subwoofer. However, the Vandersteen can go below what my B&W will do. I may just end up without a subwoofer after I get the Vandys.

I have learned some thing along the way about subwoofers. Tell me if I am right or wrong. A "musical" subwoofer will make a very low bass note sound like a bass note while a non-musical subwoofer may make a very low bass note sound like a bass drum, i.e., much more percussive and with a loss of the bass instrument tonality. Am I anywhere close?
newbie13
242 posts
 
Oh you've got the bug all right. 602's just okay and want Vandersteens. You ought to list the rest of you're equipment and room specs for the knowledge folks around here to suggest what upgrade path to take.
warrenh's avatar
warrenh
2,299 posts
 
This is definitely a personal thing. It's, again, very room dependant. I have mine placed in between my monitors, and I believe, from what I have read, you usually cannot go wrong with this placement. Then again, I'm a two channel guy. HT, probably another story.
gunbei
2,327 posts
 
Matchstikman, if you're referring to cheaper subs having "one note" bass, then you're on the right track. Subs like the RELs are known for their natural, musical tone while having the ability through much trial and error of integrating seemlessly with your mains.
rbstehno
1,449 posts
 
IMO, there are not that many good subwoofers out there for music. Some people think getting the biggest driver you can will give you better sound. FALSE! Also, a good sub will have an advanced crossover network to blend in with your mains. For music, if you want bass guitar to sound like a bass guitar, bass drum sound like a bass drum, with the correct amount of decay time, and one that is fast to keep up with your mains, audition subs with a 10" driver or less (or multiple drivers), and with a good crossover. The best subwoofer I have found for music applications was the REL. Fast, the crossover network is very sophisticated (and easy to setup), and using small drivers are able to go as low as 8 or 10hz. As always, you need to audition equipment in your home to make sure it works for you!
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