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Subwoofer Advice For Stereo Music System, Not HT

I recently purchased new the following:

Jolida JD302BRC Tube Integrated Amp
Jolida JD100 Tube CDP
APC H-10 Power Conditioner
Wireworld Cables and Interconnects

all added to my current Klipsch KG5.5 floorstanding speakers.

I absolutely love the mids and highs produced by this system, but the lowest frequencies, while nicely detailed, are just not quite balanced with the mids and highs. I have had the system for a month now, and have at least 40 or 50 hours on the system. I have tried numerous speaker placement options, and currently have the speakers placed almost against the back wall. This gives the best bass, but still not quite what I seek. I have decided I may have to add an active subwoofer. I can't help but believe that the proper sub would be the final piece to make this system really shine for my small 13x14 listening room. The system is used only for music, no home theater.

Given the above, what do you think I should I look for in a sub? I am currently looking at the Velodyne MiniVee or the Velodyne SPL-800R. I would think these models should give me the added bass while keeping distortion and boominess to a minimum. They are also sealed instead of ported, which I have read is better for stereo music. Am I on the right track here, or are there other models/brands I should consider? My budget is $1k or less.

Also, the Jolida int amp has two sets of pre-outs. One fixed and one variable. Which would be more beneficial to use for the sub, or should I just hook the sub to the speaker binding posts?

Thanks.
chap_cat
lapierre
547 posts
 
Check out the REL R-205...

http://www.sumikoaudio.net/rel/prod_r205.htm
tgrisham
1,179 posts
 
I second the REL. Mine has speaker level inputs. This way you can set the main speakers up for the best mid-range, and then set up the sub for the lower frequencies. It should just disappear.
garryh
94 posts
 
Chap,

Yes, I believe you're on the right track. Third the REL R-series, they've worked great for me.

That said, the SPL 800R would be a nice pick as well; I've got their bigger brother, the SPL 1000R (x2), in my living room HT/2 channel system and am very pleased - fine for HT and Music. The room correction feature, remote, and music genre setting capabilities really give one a lot of versatility.

Re: using pre-outs or speaker tap, try both and see which one works best to your ears. For me, utilising the speaker level taps sounds slightly better.

Cheers,
Garry
pacific_island_audio
49 posts
 
Definitely go with a sealed sub—better damping and hopefully a lower Q. Don't overlook kits. Sealed sub kits are available for well under $1k, very easy to assemble, and will give you higher performance for your dollar.

Powered subs have line level inputs. But to get the integration between the sub and mains correct you need to have the crossover set correctly. If your preamp has a subwoofer crossover and sub-out you can do it from there, but unless you're using an AV pre this probably isn't the case. So, you'll need to use the crossover in the sub (or a separate external x/o). Pre-out goes to the sub, crossover sends the mid/hi to the amp from the sub's high out. Crossover frequency should be set at about one octave above the -3 dB point of the mains. You need to have that much overlap for a linear response.

Be very careful in your selection of a sub. Too many are pseudo-subs that are barely flat to 30 Hz. To be useful, a sub needs to do 25 Hz (-3dB or better). This point can be debated, but the low A on a piano goes down to 27.5 Hz, the low C is 32.7 Hz, so flat to 30 seems reasonable.

Adding a sub will give other benefits besides low end extension. It takes a lot of stress off your mains (and amps) helping to reduce distortion and improve the lower midrange.
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