I'm using a pair of MJ Acoustics ref200 with synergistic ref speakon and subwoofer rca cables with WB Arcs with very good results. It also has a remote control with four presets which simplifies adjustments when needed. You can also use the speakon high level and low level rca simultaneously for better tuning as each has its own crossover and volume setting.
Need Advice on Subwoofer Selection
Let me say up front that I'm not a bass freak but I've come to the point, regrettably, where I'm considering the addition of a subwoofer to my system. I say regrettably because I've always felt that subwoofers were an ersatz way of achieving full range sound quality and that a properly designed 2 or 3 way speaker in the appropriate room should provide more than adequate bass. And indeed, that has been the case for me with both my ProAc 2.5s and ProAc D38s in various room set ups.
Now, however, I find myself relegated to using my ProAc D2 bookshelf speakers in a rather large and not so well damped room. And despite breaking these speakers in for many hours with the Granite Audio, Ayre and Purist Audio burn in CDs along with the addition of some Primacoustic isolation pads, Van Den Hul speaker cable and driving them with a 250 watt per channel Hegel integrated amp - alas, the overall sound is a bit bass shy.
Because I am very fond of the ProAc brand, my inclination is to simply go with ProAc's ER1 subwoofer. However, as much respect as I have for the brand, the Proac sub has not been updated for 9 years and I have to believe that there has been enough advancement in subwoofer technology that a subwoofer superior to Proac's might be available at a similar price point.
It does appear to me that "speakon" connectors capability is the way to go. I'm looking for something with a small footprint and would be loathe to go with a driver any larger than 10 inches. To end range of my budget is $2,500.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
Now, however, I find myself relegated to using my ProAc D2 bookshelf speakers in a rather large and not so well damped room. And despite breaking these speakers in for many hours with the Granite Audio, Ayre and Purist Audio burn in CDs along with the addition of some Primacoustic isolation pads, Van Den Hul speaker cable and driving them with a 250 watt per channel Hegel integrated amp - alas, the overall sound is a bit bass shy.
Because I am very fond of the ProAc brand, my inclination is to simply go with ProAc's ER1 subwoofer. However, as much respect as I have for the brand, the Proac sub has not been updated for 9 years and I have to believe that there has been enough advancement in subwoofer technology that a subwoofer superior to Proac's might be available at a similar price point.
It does appear to me that "speakon" connectors capability is the way to go. I'm looking for something with a small footprint and would be loathe to go with a driver any larger than 10 inches. To end range of my budget is $2,500.
Any advice would be most appreciated.
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- 8 posts total
Give a Ken Kresiel DXD808 a listen, it has the foot print your looking for and at under 2K, it has dual 8" drivers in push pull configuration with 375 watt mono blocks for each speaker and extension down to 10hz. I own its bigger brother the DXD12012 and its the accurate lowest distortion sub I've heard and the reviews say the same. |
I say regrettably because I've always felt that subwoofers were an ersatz way of achieving full range sound quality and that a properly designed 2 or 3 way speaker in the appropriate room should provide more than adequate bass. I think a separate sub is actually a smarter way to get full range sound. When all drivers share the same cabinet, low bass output is at cross purposes with the rest of the speaker's range. The bass waves are so large it is difficult to control cabinet resonances and keep those large backwaves from affecting the excursions of the other drivers. It also is the main reason for increased cabinet size, extensive bracing and higher cost. It also tends to necessitate a bigger front baffle, which compromises imaging and soundstage (there are exceptions of course). Separate powered subwoofers make speaker placement easier as you can place the primary speakers for best tonal balance, imaging, and soundstage, and then place the sub(s) for flattest and most extended bass response. Powered subs also enable you to adjust volume and phase for best blend and overall response. Just because the single-cabinet full-range speaker came first doesn't mean it's the best overall solution. You may also get cleaner sound because the bass waves are generated from a separate cabinet and are powered by a separate amplifier. For recommendations, I was really impressed with B&W's PV1D. I heard it with a pair of their PM1 minis, and the sound was seamlessly integrated. That's a really good sub and list price is $1500 (I think). You maximum budget would also allow the JL Fathom F110. Fathoms have a really fast rise time and also integrate well with speakers of all sizes. I've heard the PV1D with mini-monitors and the Fathom F212 with a pair of Magnepan 20.1s and in both cases the bass was seamlessly integrated with the mains and there was no discontinuity between the subs and the mains in transient response or timbre. They also have excellent extension. |
I had a change to listen to TBI Magellan bass module twice with two different system in two different place and timing period. The Magellan bass module was not a "house saking" kind of sub. It was a really fast sub. Bass was so clean and punchy. It blended so well with the main (Maggie 3.5 and Totem Forest). My other two friends and I hardly noticed the bass module present in played. If your goal is want to add just a bit of more punch and weight to lower region for your system in a very compact enclosure (as small as your amp) at a very decent price then the TBI Magellan VIII just might fit the bill. TBImagellanbassmodule FYI, I am not affiliated with TBI bass module. In fact my dual subs are Rythmik F15hp (excellent subs but a lot bigger in size) |
- 8 posts total