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subwoofers: the bigger the better?

Hi guys, I wonder if a bigger subwoofer would blend in a more satisfying way with the sound of your main speakers. I own a pair of Dunlavy SC-IV's and I'm considering to add a REL subwoofer to the system. I can buy the Stentor III, but maybe the Studio III would sound better in combination with the Dunlavies. The folks at REL say that one Studio subwoofer is better than two Stentor's. I once red that the lower the main speakers go the better the subwoofer will blend with the sound. I also heard during a high end demonstration 8 years ago a pair of Wilson WATT 3/2 with a Pow Wow subwoofer (the size of a large coffee table) driven by Krell KAS amplifiers (+ Audio Research LS-2 linestage), and the sound was the most impressive I've ever heard.
dazzdax
peter_s
1,333 posts
 
I agree. I listened to the top-of-the-line TBI commercial offering, an 8" subwoofer that combines bass reflex and transmission line concepts. It was fast and tonally balanced, and integrated well with the main speakers. I think it is the best sub I have ever heard, and purchased two to accompany my Quad 988's (fast enough subs are very difficult to find for the quads). It is very reasonably priced compared to the REL line. I sold my ACI Titan LE sub, which I also like better than the REL's (less boomy).
stanwal's avatar
stanwal
3,147 posts
 
A good part of it is how loud you want to play, my Nelson Reed 1204s will supposedly do 120 dB at 1 meter but my ears won't. Each has 4 12s and will play cannon shots my older Hsu's won't but the latter work fine on music and are more practical. I would go with stereo also, although opinions differ on this. I like the REL system of using the amp output as signal. I can't do this with the electronic crossovers I use so I run my main speakers full range and keep the signal to them out of the crossover by using Y plugs.
dazzdax OP
599 posts
 
First I would like to thank u for your responses to this thread. J. Gordon Holt, a well known audio guru and multi channel audio enthousiast once said that one subwoofer is much more preferable than two, because u have to deal with room placement and acoustics. With two subs u have more subs/room interaction than with one sub. So his advice was to go with one sub only.
theaudiotweak
2,795 posts
 
I did not place my two subs for most bass output..They certainly have plenty of output for my tastes. I placed my subs for the maximum in intergration with their fullrange brothers..They are about 5 out about inches from the outside edge of each main speaker and the front is leading the front of the mains by about 2.5 inches.Tom
rhum_runner
36 posts
 
Hey Stanwal - What are these Nelson Reed subs? I am thinking or replacing my subs with something with a bit more oomph and a bit more extension. 4 x 12 sounds like it might do the trick!
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