# Subwoofer Advice **URL:** \ **Category:** Loudspeakers\ **Created:** [August 11, 2018, 7:50pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745 "2018-08-11T19:50:12Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 10\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![jlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@jlm](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jlm)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 11:49am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/21 "2018-10-27T11:49:26Z")
Bass behaves like water in a shallow bath tub. As you move your hand lengthwise back and forth the waves move towards the ends. When they hit, they bounce back into the next waves where they either double up, cancel, or something in between. Depending on listening location and frequency this is what happens with a single bass source (double so if side by side). So any adjustment to the side by side arrangement would be a help. Originally I had one sub in the middle of the left side wall and it sounded great. Now added two more, one about a foot from the front left corner and the second about 4 feet from the front right corner along the right side wall. One theory says locate 12", 19", 31", and 49" from each corner (4 subs) to follow the Fibonocci ratios. I take your comment, “already organized for my audio system” is for visual effect or based on best results for mids/treble (such as soundstage). The ideal locations for generating bass (waves) versus mids/treble (rays) are different. ---
**Author:** ![cardri](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/cardri/32/2201_2.png) [@cardri](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/cardri)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 1:46pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/22 "2018-10-27T13:46:25Z")
I just added a pair of REL S3/SHO subs to my main SF Guareni Evolution speakers (symmetrical placement; inner rear corner of main speakers). At first I thought the S3/SHO subs may under power the room (complex rear geometry). I was wrong; however, you really need to let the subs break in and I was glad I went smaller… they keep up with the SF Guareni Evolution main speakers quite nicely. In addition, I just upgraded the streaming from Mconnect to Roon Nucleus+ w/ DSP engine and started using the parametric filtering (DSP engine). Unbelievable difference! If I would have heard this streaming before buying the PSA DS DMP; might have canceled the order. Streaming is amazing, especially with DSP engine. After measuring the room acoustics, I’ve matched the parametric filter to the measured acoustics and listening. After I have broken in the Roon (~month) Nucleus+, I will then introduce convolution filtering to the Nucleus+; reason for the Nucleus+ instead of Nucleus. I have also ordered the AQVOX SE GB ENET switch and moved my library storage into the Nucleus+ (1TB Samsung 860 pro SSD), instead of the QNAP Ethernet NAS. I only have 200 GB (wav) files (~250 CDs) and don’t think I will be buying a lot of CD/SACDs down the road. This streaming is the bomb, SQ, ease of use, and tons of meta-data. ---
**Author:** ![jlm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/ac91a4/32.png) [@jlm](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/jlm)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 2:03pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/23 "2018-10-27T14:03:24Z")
When dealing with room acoustics; first pick a “good” room (not cubic/spherical, ideally not shared and well insulated); find the ideal speaker/listening setup (including subs); measure the room then add treatments; finally dial in DSP (which only ‘treats’ a single location) being careful not to try “treating” narrow dips which are inaudible anyway and would cause amps to clips and fry speakers. ---
**Author:** ![Elk](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/elk/32/1240_2.png) [@Elk](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Elk)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 3:01pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/24 "2018-10-27T15:01:11Z")
> [@jlm](#): > > Bass behaves like water in a shallow bath tub. One of my favorite audio similes. ---
**Author:** ![darrenv1070](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/darrenv1070/32/270293_2.png) [@darrenv1070](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/darrenv1070)\ **Post date:** [October 27, 2018, 6:38pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/25 "2018-10-27T18:38:50Z")
SVS are fine subs for the money. I had a pair of the SB13 a while back. Swapped for JL Audio F113v2 pair. JL are more musical I find. Faster, tighter, better control. But I strongly recommend a Jensen hi level to XLR converter. Amazing difference in my system. I posted these finding in other posts. > [@Best way to connect a subwoofer or subwoofers](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/best-way-to-connect-a-subwoofer-or-subwoofers/6561): > > Hi, all (especially Paul)! I’ve been watching the “Ask Paul” videos on YouTube and in two of them, he mentioned that his preferred way to connect a subwoofer in a two-channel system is to use high-level/speaker-level connections from the power amp to the sub, assuming the sub has high-level inputs. My questions: Assuming your subwoofer has both high-level inputs and outputs, how would you wire in the main speakers? From the power amp as well, or from the sub’s high-level outputs? If you w… ---
**Author:** ![stevensegal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/35a633/32.png) [@stevensegal](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/stevensegal)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 10:43pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/26 "2018-10-29T22:43:18Z")
My dealer called me and told me I needed a REL S/2 and came round and put it in. I was going to get another and he said no. I called him the other day about a couple of S3’s and he hasn’t called back, so thanks to Chris1948 I called a company called BK who used to make them for REL and now make and sell direct for a fraction of the price. Anyway, here’s a professionally located S2 sitting in the corner in a much larger room than Watchdog507’s, works a treat. The dealer did it by ear, but I checked it with REW and a usb microphone. He was spot on. ![IMG_0150](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/2X/0/0ad355d2aeb3119dc37a8b50003cfedad3a42b4a.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![cardri](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/cardri/32/2201_2.png) [@cardri](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/cardri)\ **Post date:** [October 29, 2018, 11:49pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/27 "2018-10-29T23:49:42Z")
@stevensegal - Here is a pair of REL S3/SHO subs next to SF Guareni Evolution mains… With Roon Nucleus+ DSP engine engaged (parametric) after measuring the room, they sound amazing. Need to really break them in before measuring the room. You would be surprised after break in. Next step is convolution filtering… ![Music%20Room%20101318%2003](https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/uploads/psaudio/original/2X/8/87f8793fcdaebcab870efcb9c884e32540dc5297.jpeg) ---
**Author:** ![madiha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/d07c76/32.png) [@madiha](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/madiha)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2025, 10:06am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/28 "2025-10-22T10:06:49Z")
I am using 2 REL R-328s and its amazing. ---
**Author:** ![ArniGen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/e56c9b/32.png) [@ArniGen](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/ArniGen)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 4:44am UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/29 "2025-11-18T04:44:31Z")
Hey — this is super helpful, thanks for sharing. I’d just add: pick a meter you can repeatably trust, not necessarily one that’s “perfectly accurate.” Even the cheaper Class 2 ones (±1 dB) are more than good enough for calibrating listening levels. If you’re using it for room tuning, set the meter to A-weighting and “Slow” response — that gives a more realistic reading for how we hear sound. Also, make sure you place the mic at your listening height & distance, so the readings are consistent. ---
**Author:** ![Chris\_Brunhaver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex015/user_avatar/forum.psaudio.com/chris_brunhaver/32/64810_2.png) [@Chris\_Brunhaver](https://forum.psaudio.com/u/Chris_Brunhaver)\ **Post date:** [November 18, 2025, 8:29pm UTC](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745/30 "2025-11-18T20:29:55Z")
Keep in mind that an A-weighting is not useful for subwoofer levels. Use unweighted (sometimes called Z-weighting). [Previous page](https://forum.psaudio.com/t/subwoofer-advice/6745.md?page=1)