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Front- vs. Down-Firing Subs and Amp Issue

A couple of assertions in the audio world have me perplexed as to how to select a subwoofer for my two-channel system.

Richard Hardesty makes the blanket statement in his Audio Perfectionist Journal that down-firing subs should never be used for high-end two-channel audio. Only front-firing subs are suitable for this application. I see, however, that some of the most-recommended subs on a'gon (Hsu TN series, ACI and REL come to mind) are down-firing (or up-firing in the case of Hsu.) Maybe the answer is that audiophile subs can't be purchased at the price point most mortals can afford, and the lower-priced subs just happen to be down-firing? Oh, Hardesty also says ported subs are not suitable for high-end audio; must go with a sealed box. Interesting.

The second assertion comes from Mike Barnes at nOrh, who says on his website that the plate amps used in 90% of subs today is crap and puts out only a fraction of power that is claimed. The sound that was rattling his windows and creating "earth-shaking bass" was not bass at all- it was distortion. He also states that he began tests in subwoofer development using the popular Peerless 12" woofer, which was literally shredded by a (non-plate) 150-watt amp.

So now I'm confused. Is it possible to buy a high-quality sub for relatively little money? I can't bring myself to spend $3-5k on a pair of speakers only to turn around and spend nearly that much on a sub. Oh, and then I hear that if I want the best possible configuration I need two subs at twice the price, making my subs more expensive than my speakers. Is this just a fact of life that I'll have to come to grips with if I don't want to buy speakers that go down to 20hz?

Thoughts?
aggielaw

Showing 5 responses by onhwy61

onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,303 posts
 
If we limit the discussion to true subwoofers as opposed to add-on woofers, then there is absolutely no problem with down firing subwoofers. For instance REL touts their 2 channel oriented subwoofers as sub-bass systems. They are specifically designed to add not bass, but deep bass to existing full range speakers. A down facing driver is an excellent solution for such a situation.

Regarding subwoofer amps, it's just like anything else, some are crap some aren't. A dedicated sub amp doesn't have to be the most refined amp because it's only handling low frequencies where harmonic distortion is harder to hear and less offensive.

My experience is that two subs are better than one, but one great sub is better than two good subs.

Earlier today I saw that someone was selling a Monitor Audio sub for less than $500. They are great subs for music. BTW, they have both forward and down facing drivers.

What do you think of the Norhs?
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,303 posts
 
Matchstikman, Audio Physics also makes sub-bass systems.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,303 posts
 
I don't understand what people have against vented subwoofer designs. I am currently running REL Stadiums and I don't hear any problems.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,303 posts
 
If I understand Sean's arguments correctly it's that sealed designs have potentially better..., but in the real world is that potential always met? Sean is not saying you can't design a vented sub with all those good characteristics, just that a sealed designed can do the same easier. The fact that the sub is the size of a large refrigerator is not important since we're audiophiles only concerned about sound quality. And remember, two refrigerators, I mean subs, are better than one.
onhwy61's avatar
onhwy61
5,303 posts
 
If the sealed cabinet design doesn't guarantee better performance, than why make the blanket statement that it's so important?
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