Anyone here have experience buying/placing Subwoofers?

Thinking of adding a subwoofer to enhance my movie-watching experience.

Some say buy one good sub and do a “crawl” to make sure it is in the right spot. Other people get two and place them in symmetrical locations like under their left and right channels.

One challenge for me is that bass output is heavily affected by walls and my setup is very close to the wall on the right side and there isn’t really room to shift it out without disrupting foot traffic. Although two subs would looks symmetrical I assume that the one on the right would be overpowering due to it’s placement in a corner.

If anyone wants to offer placement advice or has experience with any of the subwoofer brands I’d be interested to hear about it.

Currently thinking about a sealed-box 12" sub from SVS

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I don’t know much about subwoofers, but I’ll be reading this thread.
I have a couple sets of computer speakers that each come with one subwoofer, but the sound quality of those speakers aren’t all that great.
Instead, I use a nicer 2.0 system with no subwoofer at all, and it sounds good enough for me.
But if you have space for a subwoofer, I say, why not? :grin:

I’ve been happy for about 5 yrs with my stand-mount speakers that go down to 41hz.

(Current setup: Cambridge Audio SX-60, S.M.S.L. AD18)

But film soundtracks drop lower than 41hz fairly often and I want to take advantage of the lossless audio in my blu-ray collection. Some movies use the LFE channel extensively. I can’t put in surround sound due to the lousy layout of my apartment, so this is the best I can do to improve my film sound at this point.

 

The good news is that companies like SVS give you a trial period so if I determine that the sub is not making enough of a difference to justify the cost I could return it.

 

I’ve also been kicking around the idea of upgrading from the Class D SMSL AD18 which maxes out at 50wpc to a class AB amplifier that does 100wpc or better.

There was no big point to all this chatter, I just like talking about it :smiley:

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Most of my posts are pretty pointless, but, hey, I’ve got something like 20,000 posts.
That’s gotta be worth something! :stuck_out_tongue:

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If you’re planning to use the sun for true sub frequencies (5-50Hz), your ears will likely not localize the sound to a particular direction as much as they will pick out annoying artifacts (like a rattling window or table nearby). In that case, putting the sub closer to where you sit than closer to the main speakers would be better - and would allow you to amplify the sub less, creating less of those rattles throughout the room… or into other rooms. The higher the sub extends (above 100hz, for instance), the closer you will likely want it to your mains. That’s all a factor of what you use as a crossover and what the natural roll off is of the sub at those frequencies.

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Thanks! Sounds like some good advice. I definitely don’t need the glass shelves on my entertainment center rattling around all the time.

DBX used to make a unit that synthesized bass down to 10Hz. Without a big woofer it is kind of pointless, fortunately I have 15’s. It was called the Sub-harmonic Synthesizer. Also pointless if your amp can’t generate lots of bass (got that too. =) )
DBX 120X, if you want to look into it.

Interesting for sure, what do you use it for? Do any audio sources extend that low?

Here is a good place to find almost anything Subwoofer’ige

There are modeling programs that will let you get an idea of room nodes vs SW positions vs seating positions.
Also reviews that measure SWs outside of room acoustics.
SVS is a well thought of brand. but there are others that may offer more Woof for the $$
All the Best,
Jeff

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Check out subs from HSU Research. The ULS-15 MK2 is “ultra linear,” +/-1 dB from 20-200 Hz, of course it won’t stay that way because of your room acoustics. The CCB-8 speaker is worth a look as well.

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I have a Harman Kardon Citation II tube amp that was modded for extended bass. Hard to tell if it does go down that low as it is felt more than heard, but the modification did state it would process bass down to 10Hz. The neighbours seem to think it does at times. =)

Very few Subs really reach 20Hz with enough output to make themselves “known”.
At least at prices most are willing to pay.
Two subs, optionally placed, will be able fill in the nulls created by the room.
But 2 won’t play any deeper than a single sub of the same model.

When considering 2 Subs, many receivers may have two outputs - but are actually in parallel. So the subs are not equalized individually.
For example - if there is a significant distance to the listening position - in relation to each other. A delay needs to be added to one to get them in phase, So that the sound arrives “in sync” as it were.

SVS subs have onboard processing that can be very useful in integrating them into the AV system.

Take a look at Room Eq Wizard. A free software tool that can be used for all sorts of speaker measurements.

A steep learning curve, but audiophiles would have paid good money just to see it do its tricks 40 years ago.
All the Best,
Jeff

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I’ve got a ported HSU sub in a 5.1 setup and a sealed Velodyne sub in a 2.1 setup at my desk. Both really improve the listening experience. Both are crossed over at 80 Hz . Sealed is a tighter bass while ported tends to go lower

In the 5.1 setup the sub delivers that LFE, and you can’t really tell where it’s coming from.

In the 2.1, the sub really helps a big pair of bookshelf speakers extend down low. It is definitely overkill, especially with the onboard 1000w amp, but I got it used for $200 from a guy who had just bought, wait for it, two big SVS subs for home theatre.

Velodyne is out of the sub business, but I would highly recommend HSU. SVS is very well respected. I recommend you get one sub, then experiment with placement. Near walls and especially corners will boost the bass. Some say put the sub where you sit , then go “crawl” and find where it is loudest. I wouldn’t worry to much about it, you can adjust loudness, and phase to tune it to your liking. You are going to love it.

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Depending on your main speakers, adding a sub really - really makes movie sound tracks come alive.
Even large main speakers will benefit from a good sub.

Good Amp — I have a Citation V with some 1960 Electro Voice EV Fours in my garage — Damm Good

One of the easiest ways to set up a sub — Put the Sub where your listening chair is – Then crawl around and see where you have the Bass you want – We use to use a Test Disc and a Sound Meter

Years ago ( 90s ) Velodyne ULD series subs were the shit ---- Servo Controlled kept the driver from floating out-- Yes the ULD 15 would go below 10HZ – The opening scene in the movie The Professional in the hotel would shake the beams in my house ( not having to be extremely loud either)

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The stereo experience is predominantly generated by the high-range and mid-range speakers. So it is quite important to experiment with their location in the room. Low-range speakers and/or subwoofers add almost nothing to the experience, unless there is a shark (pom-pom pom-pom) approaching from one side.
In all other cases you don’t need a second unit, or be worried about where to place it. Feel free to place it behind you.
With carsystems people even advise sometimes to put the subwoofer(s) in the trunk. The metal between the trunk and your ears is no match for low frequency sound waves.

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I have known about a dozen people with home theater setups with varying degrees of how much they spent. Most of the well known brands are solid: HSU Research, SVS, RSL just to name a few “better” ones.

I own a SVS PB 1000 Pro and it’s a good bit of sub especially considering the large room I have it in, a friend owns the PB-2000 non pro and it’s even better. 2 of my colleagues own a mono or stereo RSL Speedwoofer setup. The mono config is about neck and neck with my PB-1000 Pro for a heavy discount, but no bluetooth.

The 4 guys with HSU have a love hate relationship with the sub/company. 2 of the subs have needed repairs, 1 of the guys had a terrible experience getting support for his sub. They do sound great though.

YMMV of course, but if I did it again I would have bought the PB-2000 Pro before SVS’s prices went up or a stereo Speedwoofer setup.

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Thanks everyone for dropping your knowledge and sharing your experiences. Lots of food for thought here.

Any thoughts on the 12" vs 15" sub debate? I’m reading stuff that makes me think 15" would be better for movies while 12" might be better for music. Any truth to that?

Yes 12" will be faster and more responsive — Sealed enclosure better for music and tighter bass