2nd sub for center channel ?


A Tweeter salesman told me that if I wanted to have two subs to try the 2nd with the center channel if there is an OUT for it because there is so much info on the center.He said to then switch and put both on the sub out and decide which is best. First time I have heard that. Any comments ?
obrown
Hmmm, I'll qualify my comments up front by saying that I am not that well versed in HT. That said, it is true that there is a lot of information contained on the center channel. In HT and film reproduction for the home that information is in the form of dialog and panning information. Very little in the way of LF information is directed to the center in a typical home HT setup. A 5.1 or 7.1 system uses the LFE out, the .1, to direct LF information to the sub. If you want to experiment with two subs, my first choice would be to use a sub for each of the two front speakers, or try using a sub to augment the rear channel information.
I dont see that it is going to be all that useful, it is rare that even the biggest most expensive center channels go lower than 40-50HZ, IMO there would be alot more centers that go alot deeper if the center channel justified it or demanded it, it just doesnt seem to be needed, but your results are the only important isuue.
I use full range speakers in the front and a sub in the back wich is similar to using 2 subs and I really like the results, more of a 3d bass and being near the sub it really gives that kick you can feel (although my HSU sub will make you feel it wherever it is) all the same I like it better than when it was up closer in the room...good luck!
I'll second Slipknot1. There is a lot of info in the center channel, but its all dialog on DVDs, usually just vocals on 5.1 music recordings.

It depends on your speakers and room size whether or not you would gain any benefit from 2 subs. If you set your front speakers to small in your set-up you would gain nothing from running the front l-r or rear l-r through the second sub. If you set your speaker size to large and run them through the sub woofer than you might gain something. But it depends on how low your speakers go, and what cross over frequency your pre-pro is using.

If you feel your not getting enough kick out of the lfe channel, first experiment with the placement of the sub you have now, before buying a second.
No need for a center sub. Set the center to "small" in your menu, and the sub will take care of the frequencies below the cross-over point.
I have a reasonably large center (Martin Logan Cinema), and still set it to small as Martin Logan suggests, because there is enough low frequency information that it makes a good difference.
Go from small to large from your preamp, and you'll hear the difference quickly.
There is more than dialogue from the center (movies), and if you want to prove that to yourself, just turn off the fronts and see.
Surround content mix:

50% Center channel
40% L&R channel
10% Surround channels

The center channel is the most important speaker. Typically it is smaller than the L&R. A sub would help give you full range response for center channel information. In 5.1 processing each channel can receive info down to 20hz. The sub .1 channel gets special effects info that is not the same as what goes to the other 5/6/7 channels. The sales guy is giving you good advice if you have a smaller center speaker.

However, the system is now more complex. Set-up will require the sub is time aligned with your center speaker. You need another cable possibly a crossover, another amp, power cord and a place to put it. This is basically a sub/sat system for the center channel. Weigh this against buying a full range center channel that matches your L&R in the first place.

If you really want the best sound you should have identical FULL range speakers for all 5/6/7 channels. This is usually difficult due to speaker placement constraints for center and surrounds. Full range surrounds can be hard to justify as you are spending a lot of cash for that 10% of sound.

hope this helps,