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Honest Experience on Effects of Subwoofer Please

I have read countless of threads on people’s experiences with subwoofers but am still confused. Although I don’t have any experience with high quality music subwoofers, I have been using a decent sub in my audio system for the past 18 years or so. The sub went in and out of the systems and various rooms throughout the years as I was not convinced if the sub was contributing anything to the system. At times I felt I could hear an improvement and at other times I thought the sub wasn’t doing anything. If I bump up the volume and crossover frequency on the sub to hear a larger impact, it’s overly done.

I am aware that a proper set up and/or quality of subwoofer is crucial to ensure a successful implementation of the sub(s) in a system. Let’s just assume that everything is done properly.

To cut to the chase, do people hear a small or appreciable difference with subwoofers, or it’s a big night and day difference? I know everyone’s expectations are different but I’m reading different opinions and experiences on this forum. For the first time in 15 years, I am considering a sub upgrade and have been in communication with the sub maker and dealer. I just wanted to get a clearer picture on the situation.

So, coming back to the question, just two questions;

1. Do people hear a small or appreciable difference with subwoofers, or it’s a big night and day difference?

2 Do subwoofers just fill up the missing deep bass below say 40Hz or 35Hz where the main speakers won’t reproduce, or they will also augment the mid bass and upper bass by producing a punchier sound with better kick, heft and dynamics? The drums or kick drums are usually in the region of the midbass and upper bass, not low bass.

Posts like the one below taken from another thread make me confused.

 

ryder

Showing 1 response by rop45

rop45
68 posts
 

I admit I did not read everyone else's answer, so apologize if I am repeating something.

First, what are your main speakers?  Some main speakers need a sub more than others.

A really good sub will be better at the lowest octave than pretty much any speaker.  This is not subtle, it is very, very obvious.

It's a matter of personal taste whether the sub is integrated well enough with your other speakers for your liking.

Benefits to the midbass are real IF main speakers are being CROSSED OVER at a higher frequency, that is to say if BASS frequencies are being diverted from the main speakers - they will be moving with smaller excursion so that should give a cleaner midrange, greater power handling.

If main speakers are still playing the whole range then benefits to mids would not be as obvious. Maybe could still occur somewhat if your need to turn the volume knob up changes with the introduction of a Sub.

"There is no replacement for displacement" (zero fidelity?)   If you need loud music in a large room, played with authority and accuracy, you need large woofers.   A more modern possibilty would be the use of small woofers combined with a ton of power and digital processing as some of the modern subwoofers just coming out recently.

There is a YouTube channel called Nemo Propaganda Reviews.  This dude knows more about subwoofers than anyone on earth!

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