Usijng two different subwoofers

Thank you all for your responses. I want to use this for a high end two channel system. The current subwoofer from B&W is no longer made thanks to the new modernized, 22nd century high tech look replacement versus the nice looking real cherry wood finish on my current old B&W 850 sub. I have not had any luck finding another one on this side of the pond, Germany.

That is why I posed the question; I am starting to realize that I must look at other brands. I crossover at 35hz right now.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

I use an active PSB for centre chan. Custom enclosures with McIntosh 12 in. drivers driven by sub amp(and parametric eq)for front ch., and a PSB passive 2 ch. sub on rear ch. No issues at all. Surprisingly lots of low end info on rears and centre. Not boomy, tubby or loose low end. Verrry extended thanks to EQing.

Not only different brands but different generations, technology. Sounds great with music or movies. In the end, there is nothing like a test drive, as many well meaning people offer honest advice but your ears will make the final decision.

I will be able to test a drive a DD15 this weekend for a week and thus hope to find if I can match it with the system. Thanks all.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life

I agree that if you are searching for the BEST fidelity use the same brand and model. Different brands or models may yield very good results but in obtaining the best sound use matched models.

My tests results are utterly f*&(*&^%%&*%&ng awesome, to say the least. I am using a Velodyne DD15 along with my Nautilus ASW 850 sub. Both are sealed acoustic suspension, both are rated at 1000 watts (the velodyne could spike up to 3000 watts). I used the initial settings from the B&W sub that is hooked up to a Velodyne SMS-1 subwoofer equalizer. I have spent literally years perfecting the current settings along with lots of room treatments, professionally measured and lots of DIy stuff.. I used the left preout to run the new Velodyne sub and used the right preout to run the right sub, well it was already on the right channel.

My observations are based on running a crossover at 40hz, and then equalizing volume (note: never leave other velodyne equipment on when using the same type of remote, otherwise you will adjustung two subs, easy if you have two of the same, a big pain when you have two different).

I aligned the sub the same way as I did the other one, facing inwards on the outer sides of the speaker, so both subs are facing each other from across the room and right on line where the bass drivers are on the N800's. Because I am using such a low crossover and bass loses directionality when cut down low, superficial adjustments were not that crucial to balance the sub to the other one, at least for now. I do get some room loading now when played loud. My turntable does not rumble nor does it pick up some the deep bass notes (an attribute to the Clearudio MontBlanc turntable rack and the Transrotor mass loaded turntable).

I think I could be happy with these two different subs. Does it break audiophile norms of having the same equipment? Yep. If I did not do this for myself, I would always be wondering. It can be done as long as the principal foundation of the subs are the same, I guess. I am no sub expert, there are plenty out there who are and are way above my pay grade, but, beleive me, this sounds good to me and my wife and music is just better all the way around. I will have to clamp down on the smaller bits of adjusting other parameters, but for the most part I am about 90% dialed in.

Ciao,
Audioquest4life