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Have you moved away from full range to standmount speakers + subs?

I want to know if you have been on a journey moving from a large full range speaker to a smaller one paired wit subs, maybe even four subs.


Maybe you moved away from the big speakers because you had too much bass or you got a better soundstage from the smaller speakers. Let me know what motivated you and if you think it’s better now.


My motivation for wanting to try smaller speakers.


I have the Tekton DI and until a month ago I was using a LM845P SET amp to drive them.

It only sounded good on simple jazz and vocals but on complex music everything was falling apart.

I am not playing loud but I think it was the low 2 ohm load in the midrange that made the LM break down.


I bought a used PS Audio BHK250 and pre and it was like getting new speakers. Never ever had it occurred to me that speaker and amp matching could have such a profound effect.


So I am enjoying my speakers now and listen to music I have avoided like the plague and enjoying it (:


But all of this got me thinking, what if I paired my LM845P with an easy to drive speaker and paired it with some subs?


Then the LM845 could do what it's best at, playing glorious midrange and the subs could play the bass.

So that's my motivation for trying smaller speakers.


I am also hoping that maybe I could get better and more even bass with 2 or 4 subs. Maybe a better soundstage because the small speakers have a very small baffle.

martin-andersen
rksweet
38 posts
 
Tried this many years with Celestion SL600's with subs. but in the end chose to go with full range towers and subs.
homer_skins's avatar
homer_skins
32 posts
 
Magnepan 1.7i's and two powerful subs. My system has never sounded better to my ears. 
kirtgunn
4 posts
 
I’d find someone who knows what “misnomer” means, and start there. 
big_greg
6,623 posts
 
Wow, this thread seems to be heading down the tracks on the crazy train!

I've had some large efficient floor standing speakers (and used them with 4 subs), but they were just too much for my space and I have since moved mainly to monitors - Harbeth Super HL5 Plus, P3ESR, Stirling LS3/5, and Kef Ref 1s. 

It has a lot more to do with the type of presentation / sound I prefer than the size of the speaker or what's amplifying them.  Which isn't to say those things don't come into play.  I recently put some different amps in my system and was pleasantly surprised by the difference they made. 

I recently picked up a pair of Thiel CS 2.3 floor standing speakers and have been really enjoying those.  Their smaller size and design works really well in my room.

The best system I've heard so far had speakers 8 feet tall.  Part of the fun of this hobby is trying different things and keeping an open mind and not deciding it has to be this vs. that.  

In regards to the derailment of the thread, all I can say is that when a manufacturer or dealer comes into a thread and presents facts about a situation they've been questioned about or educational information and deals with others in a respectful and professional manner, my respect for them grows.  If they show up denigrating members and putting down their systems and threating legal action, well... I'll steer clear and spend my earnings elsewhere.  
ryder
1,689 posts
 
Match the speakers to the size of the room. What’s the size of the room?

I’m not sure what qualifies as a "full range" speaker. Perhaps one that goes down to 20 - 25 Hz ± 3dB? I’ve never owned large speakers with drivers more than 10" in my life. I’ve owned some Sonus Faber floorstanders but I’m more of a standmount guy. All my current speakers are standmounts, going down to 38 and 40 Hz and I love them for what they do. I don’t like to use subs with speakers although I own a rather high quality sub.

To me, a speaker that is able to go down to 40 Hz ± 3dB on paper is the minimum requirement in providing adequate bass satisfaction. Anything 50 Hz or higher don’t cut it for me. Having said that, I’ve read about people describing the wonderful bass produced by their small bookshelves and how it is perfectly adequate for them. These bookshelf speakers have 5" drivers, reaching down to 60 or 65 Hz or so in the bass. People have different expectations so I would not be surprised to hear about folks preferring smaller speakers in their medium to large rooms.

By the way, the Buchardt S400 MKII recommended by Tvad looks good. It has a passive radiator located at the rear of the speaker which boosts bass response. The Marten Parker Duo also works on this same principle.
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