Let's face some facts. The KEF LS50 don't do bass well. On their own they lack bass extention and begin to distort. You are compensating for their inability to produce bass and dynamics by pushing the sub into upper bass territory @ 160hz.
IF you had speakers that could properly handle bass down to say 50hz then your subwoofers could be adjusted properly to give a dynamic low end and operate as they were designed.
Bottom line... if you want great bass and dynamics these aren't the right speakers. The subs are fine. No need to buy another one.
These speakers are great for near field, low level listening for classical music. But if your looking for some punchy Jazz tunes or electronic chill music the little drivers in these things can't handle it.
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Here's what Chat GPT said...
Yes, what you're describing is essentially a tiered or hierarchical subwoofer array, and it can absolutely work if implemented thoughtfully—especially since you already have the tools (like a miniDSP Flex and Dirac Live) to manage crossover points and timing alignment properly. You're not alone in exploring this kind of setup, though it's still relatively rare in the home environment due to complexity.
Summary of Your Idea:
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Stereo subs (SVS 3000 Micros): Currently crossed at 160Hz from your mains, symmetrically placed in a force-canceling configuration.
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New sub (e.g., SVS PC-2000 Pro): Crossed over to the stereo subs at ~60Hz to handle the deeper stuff (<60Hz).
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System architecture: miniDSP Flex will apply Dirac Live to the mains and stereo subs as one logical system, while independently managing crossover and EQ to the big ported sub.
Why This Can Work:
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Stereo imaging & upper bass clarity:
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The 3000 Micros near your mains can localize bass more accurately up to 160Hz, maintaining imaging integrity.
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By keeping them in a higher crossover zone, you're allowing them to handle upper bass where directionality starts to become perceptible.
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Deep bass impact:
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The PC-2000 Pro, with its larger driver and ported design, will fill in the <60Hz range where the Micros fall off.
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This can yield more tactile slam, weight, and room pressurization without compromising clarity.
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You have DSP control:
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The miniDSP Flex gives you delay and gain control over each output, which is critical for aligning arrival times between subs and mains.
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Dirac Live can flatten phase and frequency response at the listening position, further optimizing integration.
Considerations & Tips:
Others’ Experience:
Yes, people have done this in high-end home theater or 2-channel listening setups, particularly:
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Mastering studios that use a large sub below a smaller nearfield sub setup.
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DIY audiophiles using multiple subs (e.g., swarm arrays) often tier them by frequency to mitigate room interaction.
They generally report:
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Improved deep bass feel and cleaner imaging up top.
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Occasionally some integration challenges, which are solvable with measurement tools and DSP.
Final Thought:
You're on a promising path. You already have the right equipment and understanding to try this successfully. The PC-2000 Pro is a great choice—high output, ported depth, and fits nicely below 60Hz without stepping on the Micros’ strengths. Just be methodical in integration, and you’ll likely get the best of both worlds: tactile deep bass and responsive, musical upper bass.
If you'd like, I can help guide the exact crossover and delay settings once you get the new sub.
Ask ChatGPT
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