I’ve been thinking of adding a subwoofer to my stereo only system. However, this is one area that I don’t know anything about. For instance, do I need one or two subwoofers, what brand is preferred, size for my room, placement, etc…. I’m really looking to start at the very beginning of this endeavor and find out what I can expect and if it is worth doing.
Thanks in advance….
I have one subwoofer, but everyone recommends 2 subs versus 1. Brand? REL, without hesitation. Which model is right for you? Others even more experienced will chime in and will ask further questions from you to get the correct answer. But you NEED to use the connection from the amp outputs to the REL sub, NEED.
My subwoofer is the REL carbon special. The now older model that was just retired. They have a new and supposedly improved S Series of subs. This one REL sub is a million times better than my Infinity sub, and also a million times better than my 2 SVS SB3000 subs in my 2nd system.
Hyperbole, anyone?
I agree with the two-subwoofer (or more if necessary) approach.
I started with one sub and found that no matter what I did, I could always tell where the bass was coming from, even though you are not supposed to be able to localize frequencies down in that range. Someone suggested that I add a second sub, so I tried it, and that fixed it.
It also helped to eliminate bass nodes in the room. When I only had one sub, as I walked around the room, I could hear the volume of the lower frequencies increase and decrease as I moved. The second sub also fixed this.
I know that Rel subs are Paul’s favorite as well as many others in these forums. I went with dual SVS PB16 Ultra subs because I use my system for both audio and home theater. I am happy with my setup, but I have never had Rel subs, so I cannot provide a comparison.
Best of luck in your sub adventure.
I’ve lived with SVS and JL Audio, and I’m glad I finally auditioned a REL sub (just for the hell of it).
You do get what you pay for.
I can only promote the concept of augmenting your stereo system’s speakers with one or two subs. I believe in the idea that no matter is how good the low frequency response in your main speakers, employing satellite speakers specifically designed to manage the lower, longer wavelength frequencies in rooms that typically have dimensions smaller than the wavelength makes sense. As others have already pointed out, the lower frequencies are more likely to generate peaks and nulls in your room and often generating those lower frequencies from your main speaker locations results in a null at your listening position.
I went with a sub for each channel and even with very good main speakers (B&W 800 Signatures), the augmention to the overall enjoyment provided by the subs was well worth it.
Although I’ve little experience with HT, I think you should treat the sub or subs for your HT differently from those for your stereo. As I understand it, the HT sub is handling the ‘.1’ in an ‘x.1’ configuration, a discrete channel specifically for sound effects whereas the subs for a stereo are augmenting the full-frequency channels of a stereo. IMO, a wholly different application.
Two or none.
Two or none. REL is a good choice they have many to fit any budget. Choose a model that offers high level connections for the best integration into a two channel system. Good luck happy sub hunting.
I think that depends on the size of the room and the placement of the sub.
If you are running two speakers two subs. if you run one speaker run one sub. I have both configurations. I’ve personally started off with one and went to two. One sub will do in a pinch or while you build up to two but adding a additional subwoofer and dialing it in correctly will transcend a setup to (or two) the next level. I say if you can’t get away with two subs then do six!
Each room is different and we can’t generalize and know what will work in each and every room.
Or you can bypass the distributor and dealer markups that come with REL and buy two Rythmik F12 Servo subs for the price of one as they are factory direct from Texas.
Onehorsepony,
This video will clarify things: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noYvDBGOWco
My opinion not fact. If the room is too small for two subs then you probably don’t need any subs.
One good REL sub made a nice improvement in my system versus no sub, and versus lesser subwoofers. Now I cannot wait until I can afford a 2nd good subwoofer.
If subs were meant to be used in pairs, they’d be sold as pairs. Fortunately, they’re sold singularly, so users can decide for themselves if they need two of them.
I bought 4 Rythmik. I had one. Used a JL-CR1 to make it dual purpose. Then I added a second (both Rythmik G25HP). Loved it. But after taking advice from here, i sold the JL and was able to find two used F12 SE locally and pocketed a few hundred. Now I have 4. Two for Theater and two running high level inputs and running my sopra2’s full range. WOW, wayyyyy better.
So I can recommend from my journey, two is better, and high level is better. Just do it!
You do you nipper.
Right back at you.
I’m running four speaker level in the main system for HiFi only. If you bought your two local subs from a guy in NYC I know the guy.
My theory is subwoofers are sold singularly because of home theater. Original 5.1 the .1 one being the single subwoofer. I would bet number of subs sold for home theater out sold the number of subs for two channel and it may still be that way. Subwoofers for music is increasing but home theater was the driving force for single subs.