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Front- vs. Down-Firing Subs and Amp Issue

A couple of assertions in the audio world have me perplexed as to how to select a subwoofer for my two-channel system.

Richard Hardesty makes the blanket statement in his Audio Perfectionist Journal that down-firing subs should never be used for high-end two-channel audio. Only front-firing subs are suitable for this application. I see, however, that some of the most-recommended subs on a'gon (Hsu TN series, ACI and REL come to mind) are down-firing (or up-firing in the case of Hsu.) Maybe the answer is that audiophile subs can't be purchased at the price point most mortals can afford, and the lower-priced subs just happen to be down-firing? Oh, Hardesty also says ported subs are not suitable for high-end audio; must go with a sealed box. Interesting.

The second assertion comes from Mike Barnes at nOrh, who says on his website that the plate amps used in 90% of subs today is crap and puts out only a fraction of power that is claimed. The sound that was rattling his windows and creating "earth-shaking bass" was not bass at all- it was distortion. He also states that he began tests in subwoofer development using the popular Peerless 12" woofer, which was literally shredded by a (non-plate) 150-watt amp.

So now I'm confused. Is it possible to buy a high-quality sub for relatively little money? I can't bring myself to spend $3-5k on a pair of speakers only to turn around and spend nearly that much on a sub. Oh, and then I hear that if I want the best possible configuration I need two subs at twice the price, making my subs more expensive than my speakers. Is this just a fact of life that I'll have to come to grips with if I don't want to buy speakers that go down to 20hz?

Thoughts?
aggielaw
chadnliz
3,736 posts
 
The statement that no down firing sub can sound good is just stupid, if it is sealed, then what the hell does it matter where it fires, but I agree sealed is the way to go.
Ever wonder how they term "sub" woofer ended up being so loosely used, the word "sub" used to have meaning...now you can buy subs that dont even go down to 20 cycles, what is "sub" about that?
matchstikman
205 posts
 
Aren't those PartsExpress.com, Daytona, Titanic DIY subs sealed? I heard these subs are really good, especially for the money. I want one. The thing is, I already have two other subs. What does a person do with overflow subs?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,155 posts
 
Matchstikman, Audio Physics also makes sub-bass systems.
steuspeed's avatar
steuspeed
501 posts
 
Muse model 18. One of the best ever made.
Ag insider logo xs@2x
rauliruegas
12,895 posts
 
Dear Howard: First than all: congratulations for your North great speakers.

+++++ " Is it possible to buy a high-quality sub for relatively little money? I can't bring myself to spend $3-5k on a pair of speakers only to turn around and spend nearly that much on a sub. " +++++

The task that have a subwoofer is the most difficult area in the home audio frecuency spectrum ( from 80Hz down flat to 16-20Hz ) sound reproduction. So ,you can't expect that that " very hard task " is for a " little money ", at least not for a good quality sound reproduction.
If the task of low/deep bass reproduction were an " easy " one then the subs does not exist because any builder/designer of speakers could incorporate in their full rage speakers and for a low price. If you take a look to the price of full-range speakers ( 20Hz to 25kHz ) you can " see " that everyone had a very very high price. Much of that high price has to be with the quality reproduction of the last two octaves in the music.

Now, yours North speakers deserves something, at least, at the same quality sound reproduction level: not less. Well this is my opinion.

I agree with the people that is in favor of the sealed subs and agree, too, with the people that is in favor of two subwoofers instead only one.

I'm in favor, too, of self-powered subwoofers instead the passive ones. The self-powered subwoofers have many advantages against the passive ones.

Now the issue of down firing against the front ones it is not important in sealed subs.

Now, your main speakers needs a " true stereo " ( a pair of subs )integration subwoofers. The REL ones are not a good option for you: the REL design is for " bass reinforcement " on true full-range speakers or for HT, not for a true stereo configuration with monitors liker yours.

Now, the assumption that the subwoofers objective is to enhance the low bass reproduction is a misunderstood about. The integration on a true stereo fashion of two subwoofers in any system has to be more with obtain not only a better quality low bass reproduction but: better mid bass, better mid range and better high frecuency reproduction.

Please if you have the time read very carefully these links:

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&openflup&27&4#27

http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?eanlg&1117893153&openflup&31&4#31

+++++ " 50hz and below...the lower the better. " +++++

+++++ " many are rated even higher than my 150lb. Krell..." +++++

Dave, if you can read those links about.
Btw, of course that many of today subwoofers are rated much higher than your Krell amp, but the task of your Krell is very different that the one of the sub-amp: you can't compare it, the 150lb means nothing in this subject.

Regards and enjoy the music.
Raul.
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