2-channel listening with a sub-woofer

My first sub-satelite was the MUSE sub with the TOTEM Model 1. Worked great, bought the personality card (custom crossover made for the totem model 1) but the transformer had a hum. It drove me nuts. Fast forward to my present set up and the sub integrates really well. You have to plot on paper with the use of a sound pressure meter and a controllable source eg cd player with a test cd such as Stereophile,Wilson etc. Then you play for hours or days to try to get rid of any valley or peaks in your chart. If you want more help E-mail me your phone number.

I have heard a lot about how hard it is to "integrate" a subwoofer with planar speakers like my Maggies. In my custom designed subwoofer system,I have been very successful in this regard, and I think that the reasons are as follows.

1...I went with two large drivers (12" and 15") so that the subwoofer operates with large area and small excursion, like the Maggies. (A line array of eight 8" would probably have worked just as well).

2...I located the SW systems (I have three) in the wall directly behind the Maggies. I describe this setup as the SW "playing through" the screens. It is as if all the sound is coming from the screens. Also, I think that the setup may involve the SW "absorbing" the backwave of the Maggies. Whatever...it works.

When I had box speakers I used SW enclosures as stands. This makes sense to me because it just amounts to adding the LF capable driver which the speaker manufacturer left out, and the enclosure happens to come in two pieces.

I have CLS's and also use a single Depth sub. I've found that the best integration is achieved by running your mains full range and fleshing the bass in from the bottom. Getting the subs bass level set correctly is the biggest challenge. Most set this level way to high. I use a Behringer DSP8024 as an RTA to help adjust levels and check room responce. ($150 w/mic on Ebay)

I am using a REL Strata III with a pair of Dynaudio Focus 140's. They integrate very well.

recently I lost my audio system through utter misfortune- a story too complicated and depressing- uninteresting to tell. What I had to do is look for another sort of system which to make due with, and I did. What I got was a sub sat system- 2 little speakers and subwoofer, and much as I initially hated the idea its turned out to be the best little system I have had ever. This is probably heresay. There is something about the tweeters on these satilites I find very appealing, but more importantly the bass -for whatever quality it may be determined to be, is very satisfying! I have a much better sense of scale now. Music sounds more dimentional- has more authority & wieght, and oddly an improved sense of speed. I wont kid you. There is no seamless integration here! This system was right off the shelf & truly not meant for the obsessive..is a bit rough. I am glad to have mis-stepped though because this makes more sense than all my previous efforts have. I now imagine you could do very well by way of 2 channel with sub system.