Best type of Sub to consider?

I greatly prefer the sealed over ported subs in almost all cases. I like the JL audio subs alot, after them the RELs.  The REL hookup procedure is nice if you dont have the outputs on your preamp, or dont want to purchase extra cables. In my experience subs have have improved soundstage presentation in every system I've had them in. Good luck

I really love my Hsu Research ULS-15 Mk II sealed subwoofer.  It works very well with my listening, as well as with movies.  Here's  link to my review on the sub:

http://http//www.ayllonmedia.com/1/post/2015/10/does-the-hsu-fit-a-look-at-the-uls-15-mk2-subwoofer.html

Good luck,


Juan 

ricred1 and gdnrbob,
Thanks. I have only been looking at sealed subs, and even in that category, there are all these different types. So, why I posted.

Dan,
Yes, I completely read your comments about your success with your Tannoys and Crown, so thank you. You're right, here I go again finding my way around.

Al,
Thank you for your informative answer, because that's what I was looking for. I did speak to a sub manufacturer, who recommended that I place two subs behind my speakers about four inches from the walls. These subs fired down, and it made me wonder how this would differ and/or be an advantage, or not, over a forward firing design. In my mind, a forward firing design may help to take out the need to rely so much on closed corners. However, I must admit that my study of speaker design and sound wave physics is truly limited. My ears are everything, but as we know you cannot sample everything. I appreciate you wishing me luck, but I will do my best not to rely on that. Thanks again.
Kenny

It seems to me that the answer may depend on where you would want to place the sub(s), which in turn may depend on how much of the bass region you want to augment. And given that all of the woofers in your speakers apparently fire mainly toward the rear, and that essentially half of the area that they are firing toward is non-reflective open space, I suspect that you would want the augmentation to extend relatively high in frequency (e.g., perhaps even upwards of 100 Hz).

If so, I see only two placement possibilities that might make sense, both requiring two subs.

One would be to place a sub alongside the inner surface of each speaker, firing toward the wall just as the woofers in the speakers do. (I presume placing subs alongside the outer surface of the speakers would be unacceptable because it would impede traffic, and perhaps also for aesthetic reasons). Although I would have some concern about the vibrational effects that placement might have on your turntable and electronics.

The other possibility would be to place the subs against the wall, one at its left end and one at its right end, with them firing forward. Ideally the subs would be chosen to provide a means of introducing a variable delay of a few milliseconds into their outputs, so that their outputs could be time aligned with the wall reflections corresponding to the outputs of the woofers in the main speakers.

For either of those placements, and if my suspicion is correct that you would want to augment up to relatively high frequencies within the bass region, it seems to me that two front-firing subs would be the way to go.

Good luck. Regards,
-- Al

Kenny my experience with subs is rather limited as well. I am satisfied with my passive 15" Tannoy and Crown amp, and an old Velodyne that I removed the passive radiator, used a new Eminence 12" driver and 500 Watt plate amp.

This does what I need (I think I've brought this up before). Bass is clean and musical, the Tannoy passive being a great match for my Tannoy main speakers. You'll just have find your way the best you can, I'm sure you'll get there in the end. 

I agree with ricred1.
 A sealed design will provide better bass accuracy than a ported one.
Looking at your room, have you considered adding acoustic treatments?

onhwy61 - No choice, I do not have two closed corners anywhere in the house, except one tiny bedroom. What you see, is my only option. One advantage to this setup, is that my detail has gone up a couple of notches. Subwoofers were recommended by my Horning dealer, but he does not sell them.

Dan - Thanks, Yes my forward firing option that I had mentioned, was based on the JL Audio subs that I was checking out. However, I'm trying to avoid brand recommendations, and get down to the physics and applications for the different types of subs.So, regardless of brand name, does one firing direction have an advantage over another or not. And, which one would work best in my setup, if any? That's all I want to know.
Kenny

If mainly for two channel I would go with a sealed design ...but I would try it with your speaker ports plugged and unplugged.

Kenny, you most likely will get as many differing opinions as Carter has pills (as in most audio related subjects). If you can find a dealer for JL Audio, and have a look/listen to them, and try to get a home trial.

That would be my first thought, but there are about as many manufacturers of subs these days as there are of speakers.

Or, you can try the trial-and-error method of buying used, try it out, if it's not your cup of tea, sell it and try a different one. That's a hassle, so a dealer try-out is most likely your best bet. 

You received some good advice regarding speaker placement, placing your Hornings closer to side/rear walls may reinforce the bass enough for you without a sub.

Good luck on your search,
Regards,
Dan

Wow is there way to make loudspeakers horny?

Why do you think you need a subwoofer?  Looking at your system pics, which are very cool, it looks like you've set up your system for the least amount of bass reinforcement.  I have no direct experience with Horning loudspeakers, but I speculate that they will not be an easy match for any subwoofer due to their efficiency and speed.  If you want more bass then either reposition your setup or go with a larger Horning model.

The best subs I've tried are at Firehouse Sub. They've also got some huge variety of sauces that can fire you up, down, up and down and forward.