Thanks Paul for inspiring me with your Paul’s Post on the importance of using subwoofers even with speakers of otherwise full range capability. I added a pair of servo subs to my full range ribbon speakers (ribbons rated down to 25 Hz) and the sound transformation is incredible. Recording venue ambiance, deep bass and even upper bass are all improved.
With the help of test equipment I was able to easily dial in optimal settings on the sub. They certainly flatten out the somewhat lumpy dipole bass. My main speakers run biamped, full range with the subs input coming from a parallel connection to the main’s woofer input. All reservation I had with the DS’s low bass performance are gone.
And thanks for letting us know. I do appreciate feedback whether it’s good or bad (I like good better) and helpful to know someone makes progress that brings more musical pleasure. That’s always great to read.
I still don’t understand the hesitancy some people have to adding a subwoofer. Seems to me the most natural thing in the world to do.
I’m always amazed at the vitriol one sees in many posts from people blasting the thought of adding a sub to a 2 channel system. I bought into the concept when I saw how a sub made a significant difference when I tried it out with my Dynaudio Contour 5.4s. They don’t lack for bass / bottom end extension on their own, but add a sub to them and the improvement is undeniable. Went through a couple of different subs and have settled on a Rel G1. With the remote that comes with it - every sub should have a remote - and it was pretty easy to dial it in. All the bass seems to be coming from the 5.4s. Same thing in my 2 channel set-up with my Dynaudio C1s and a Rel T7. Sounds way better / fuller with the T7 than without.
Paul’s posts advocating the use of a sub with any system should be considered public service announcements.
Murrayb said
I'm always amazed at the vitriol one sees in many posts from people blasting the thought of adding a sub to a 2 channel system.
It's a hobby, what fun would it be if there were not things to get upset about?
Slightly more seriously, the objection is likely grounded in bad experiences with subwoofers. Poor performing subs, bad sub integration, wishful purchases (adding a sub to highly limited frequency response bookshelf speakers) and the like can put anyone of off subwoofers. And then there is their typical use in car audio. It is easier for a sub to harm than to do good.
I have heard many more poor subwoofer installations than even barely acceptable. If I had never heard the rare good setup, I would be uniformly negative as well.
You mention, “[w]ent through a couple of different subs.” It appears you also found challenging the matching of the right subwoofer to your system and setting it up effectively.
