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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
 
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
sirspeedy70680e509
1,064 posts
 
If you run a vented sub,the designer knows that you can get away with a smaller enclosure.If you offer a sealed enclosure(arguably more "pitch accurate",and correctly so)you need more internal volume,and a larger box.That is why we don't see many sealed enclosures,in subs and regular speakers!!It is our loss!!However we,ALL,have allowed the market to shift in this direction,due to ergonomic considerations.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,155 posts
 
If I understand Sean's arguments correctly it's that sealed designs have potentially better..., but in the real world is that potential always met? Sean is not saying you can't design a vented sub with all those good characteristics, just that a sealed designed can do the same easier. The fact that the sub is the size of a large refrigerator is not important since we're audiophiles only concerned about sound quality. And remember, two refrigerators, I mean subs, are better than one.
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