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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
matchstikman
205 posts
 
Ok, help out a guy that doesn't know; what is the argument against vented subwoofer designs?
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
Well, my subs use 15"/12" active along with a 15" passive...I guess that puts them in the vented camp and I don't hear any problems...but, this is what Sean had to say in another post regarding the advantages of a sealed sub:

"The one advantage that vented designs offer is that they will play louder. Since this is not a major concern of yours, you can take major advantage of the improved transient response, increased damping, lack of overhang and ringing, slower resonance, more controlled output at resonance, etc.... of a sealed box. You'll also get less "bloat", which means you probably won't annoy the neighbors as much".

Sounds like sealed may have the upper hand?

Dave
matchstikman
205 posts
 
If sealed has the upper hand, why aren't more subs sealed?
gmood1
1,251 posts
 
Probably because most only think of subs as movie rumble boxes. Some do not take the time to hear the difference in a sealed or ported design. I like ported subs but only for Home Theater...where high spl is needed. This hobby has a very small community compared to the average consumer looking for boom and rumble.
sogood51
2,157 posts
 
"If sealed has the upper hand, why aren't more subs sealed?"

Well, I don't know...what is the ratio between the two types? Also, when he says ported will play louder...I'm wondering if he means (louder with less power needed) and not louder overall.

Dave
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