2-channel listening with a sub-woofer

Yup, just inserted dual subs into the system.

Prior to this I tried, unsuccessfully, to integrate a single large driver subwoofer that never blended with the rest of the system. After that experience I just figured subs were not "high end" and it was better to not have low bass than to have low bass that was not "right".

After my recent experience using dual subs with smaller drivers I can now say that having that bottom octave is very addicting. The low bass, when present on the recording, adds so much more to the music. The subs have added a sense of ease and warmth to the music with a improved perception of space and soundstage.

I have things tuned more for speed and accuracy than for all out extension and the system sounds great. Simple A/B comparisons with and without the subs reveals that they blend VERY well with the main speakers. What I am hearing is certainly NOT one note bass eminating from two distinctive subwoofers. It really is hard to tell where the subs come in.

I am using nearly full range towers and running them full range. Connections are via jumpers from the speaker binding posts to the speaker level inputs of one channel on the sub. I then use jumpers on that sub to the other channel speaker level input and engage the crossover of the sub amp. This set up only augments the low bass and is out of the signal chain.

Basically, with the subs now in the system there is nothing subtracting from its performance only the added benefit of the lowest bass now being present.

My $0.02 is that 1. Dual subs load the room more evenly, 2. That last octave is very expensive to get in a one box solution so why not try subs, 3. Still take the amp that can drive your speakers well in the bass. Crossing over the sub lower and augmenting is easier than going up higher and filling in holes.

I have a Velodyne SPL-R 800 subwoofer with my pair of Paradigm Signature S2 speakers. The sub integrates well with my speakers and room. Just as Miner42, I have a second pair of preouts that is connected to the sub and therefore I do not use the high pass crossover to the Paredigms. I do set the low pass crossover to 52 Hz. sub

I use a sub with my V R4 JR's... an old ten inch Velodyne. I drive it off the preamp second set of outputs. It's old, not a seemless integration but it does add some weight to things and I like it... but like some military bases it's slated for closing... but yep, I'll probably always use a sub in two ch. Of course that is until I can swing speakers that do not require one... and maybe even then... just something about the authority it lends to the music.

I recently added a Velodyne DD-15 to my Merlin VSM-MX 2-CH system. First I spoke with Kurt at Vel's Phoenix support, who is quite helpful. He said that the larger 15" & 18" models are faster and cleaner than the 10" & 12" models due to the fact that the amp has to work harder with the smaller drivers. I think the variable servo control is also important to getting tight bass for 2-CH applications. The lower the crossover frequency, the less obtrusive the crossover, and the more omnidirectional the bass. With a low crossover point it's less likely you'll need 2 subs (unless the room is very large.)

I am using the Velodyne DD12 with Revel Performa F-32's and I just don't listen any other way now. It took some time to get it dialed in at the proper setting and volume but it is as if they were designed to be together.