Am I Better Off With Limited Low Frequency Speaker In A Small Room?


In my 12'x12'x11' room, am I better off with limited low frequency speakers, such as those which only extend down to 40-50hz, or will the mere introduction of a speaker that extends down to 35hz be potential for trouble (The extent of my knowledge is that lower frequencies need larger spaces to truly breathe, and the wavelength goes up exponentially). My listening space is my living room, and there's not a lot of space for room treament. I'm auditioning a single GIK Soffit bass trap. I'm not sure how much it will help. 

analogj

Showing 3 responses by analogj

I'm not a fan of subs. There can be a discontinuity in tonality. I have never heard one in a room where I didn't prefer listening to music without it. 

 

I don't need the extension if the speaker goes down to close to 40hz.

 

By the way, I have the living room setup at an angle to the corner to reduce parallel walls. 

The Castle Edens sound remarkably good in my room.  I do have Corner Tunes in all four corners. Yes, I have a 55" flat screen TV. I have a cushy couch. Wood record shelves. A few pictures. 

 

It's not perfect, but I also listen nearfield, and as I mentioned above, my setup is arranged kitty-corner to eliminate parallel wall reflections. There's nothing abysmal about the sound in my room. But I do detect a slight upper bass hump. That's why I'm trying the bass trap.

 

There's no room for subs anyway. I'm aware of what subs CAN do,  but I have never heard a sub, even in an audio salon, where I didn't ultimately prefer the sound of the main speakers without them, at least for music. I get it for home theater. I would never completely shut the door on the concept, but not in my livingroom either, one I share with my wife. 

Yes, I do listen diagonally (or kitty-corner as I call it).

 

I'm auditioning Harbeth C7 XD over this weekend. Interesting speaker. It sounds wide open. Bass is fairly deep and tight, no bloat. Images are large. The speaker is easy to listen to. With smale scale music, it's quite good. These speakers seem to fit into my room quite well. 

 

Downside is that the speaker can sound bright but at the same time, not all that airy in the soundstage. And tonally, it sounds a bit gray. Nothing is so harmonically fleshed out that I believe it's real. It also. never feels like it really lets loose.