Does using a powered subwoofer make better sound?


I have Vienna Acoustic Mozarts. Wonderful speakers but their one weakness is below 40 Hz. I don't want to "harm" the beautiful mid-range and highs they produce. Would a powered sub give me the extra kick in bass I'd like? If so which one to buy?

System Theta Miles / Pro Prime IIIa DAC
Audio Research LS 15 Preamp
BAT VK-60 amp
128x128ghellen
The REL is the best in my opinion if your goal is to fill in the bottom without affecting what your main speaker do. Get at least the Storm III. It is worth the extra $500 over the Stratus III. The Stratus III is also very fine it you can't afford the Storm III.


The best way to explain it, is to point out that all notes have some bass in them. This is why a concert grand piano sounds fuller, richer than a upright spinet piano. If they are both playing middle C (or any other note) you would think they would sound the same, but they don't. The large enclosure of the grand piano resonates fuller. This sound you hear encompases a larger frequency spectrum than the middle C being played. The same is true for all instruments. For that matter, all musical instruments would sound exactly the same if all you heard was the same middle C. It is the sound surrounding that note that makes all instruments sound different.

Your speakers don't have a problem playing the high frequencies; the tweeter does not need a big cabinet to resonate. The bass is always the problem. The sub fills in the lower part of that frequency spectrum.

This also explains why a large room has a sound different from a small room. You can feel it when you walk into a large room (or hall) more than hear it.

You will notice much more than bass by adding a musical audiophile sub. You will notice more "air" or "space" between instruments because you are hearing the full spectrum of sound. That grand piano will sound more real. So will flutes, oboes, violins, drums, guitars, etc.

I never hear much about M & K subs in this forum. It all seeems to revolve around REL. My understanding is M&K "invented" the sub and is used exclusively by George Lucas. Is REL more of an audio sub as opposed to M&K being known for HT?
I have an M&K MX-150 and love it, though all of this talk about REL has peaked my interest.
REL has two lines of subs. The ST subs (Stratus, Storm, Stadium, Stentor, Studio) were designed with the Audiophile in mind. They also do a fine job for movies, if pure bass is your goal. The other line is the Q subs (Q100E, Q150E, Q201E, etc.) These are their HT line. They are also quite musical for the times you want tunes instead of movies.