You were right about adding a sub.
do you have the ability to vary the location of the sub? If you can move it 8-9 feet closer to the listening position than the mains, or time delay the mains, the timing / phase relationship can be carefully optimized. Once that's dialed in I think you'll be startled by how seamlessly the sub integrates with the mains. absolutely terrific write up here: http://www.soundoctor.com/whitepapers/subs.htm |
Bdp24, no offense taken. What sub do you recommend? I've read about Rel but never heard one personally. Srosenberg, I'll check the article out. I don't have a way to move the sub closer without losing the ability to cut frequencies from the mains. I'm using speaker level inputs. I do have a wireless subwoofer rec/transmitter that gives me the ability to place the sub wherever, but taking the load off the mains seems to have made the most difference in sound, or it seems that way. Shadorne, I had B&W 801s3 in the room years ago. Don't know if a sub would have helped- never tried it. Again, my biggest gain has been midrange and treble clarity. Thanks for your input/ guidance. Gary |
I’ve had a few pretty good subs, including an early HSU (in a cylinder enclosure, similar to your SVS), a KEF B-139 driver (the one Dave Wilson used in his original WAMM) in a transmission-line, and the bass columns of the Infinity RS-1b loudspeaker (six 8" servo-feedback controlled woofers per side) I used to own. I now have a pair of Rythmik F15HP subs (each containing a 15" servo-feedback controlled woofer and 600w amp), as well as the very unique Rythmik Audio/GR Research OB/Dipole sub, which is not for everyone. Rythmik is becoming popular with Maggie owners, they’re that good. I also have a pair of Magneplanar Tympani T-IV’s, which have two 16" x 6’ panels per side just for bass! They produce a very different kind of bass than boxed subs do (leaner, very "percussive". They do drums better than anything else I have ever heard), and were a favorite of Harry Pearson. If you want to stick with SVS, their SB13 Ultra (13" driver in a sealed enclosure) is a great sub, priced at $1600. SVS has just introduced the SB16 Ultra, so used SB13’s are popping up. |
it's been my experience that high passing the mains has a tremendous effect on the entire frequency range and is absolutely my preferred method of integrating a sub (rather than playing the mains full range and bringing the sub in at the roll off point of the mains). getting the timing / phase relationship right via careful placement of the sub or time delaying the mains will make the integration absolutely seamless. when it's right, everything just snaps into focus and the sub completely disappears. |
