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How do you know if you need to add a sub (without auditioning one, I mean)?

I like my speakers, I like the SQ of my system, so I'm not asking this question because I'm seeking a remedy to a deficit. I just wonder if it would sound even better with a sub. and I don't want to buy/audition anything based on mild curiosity. Also, like many of us, I don't have an unlimited budget and wouldn't care to stretch it unnecessarily.
How does anyone else decide whether to add a sub or play a pat hand?
My speakers are ATC SC40v2s. By specs, they don't go low. To my ears, the bass is much more satisfying than anything else I've listened to in my limited experience.

m669326

Showing 3 responses by mapman

mapman's avatar
mapman
22,610 posts
 
Do the measuring with a sound meter app and white noise to see if/what you are missing or not. Only then will you know for sure. Having that lowest octave reasonably flat in response along with all the rest makes a significant listening difference ranging from huge on many recordings to minor or even none on others.

Room acoustics is a different issue and greatly impacts bass. Not a bad idea to get a handle on that first with what you have before adding anything.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,610 posts
 
Two potential issues with boosting bass levels alone versus adding a good powered sub and setting it up properly:

1) You might increase bass SPL FBOFW but not at the lowest octaves down to 20hz which is likely what is mostly missing to start in most cases. That depends on speakers and room size/acoustics.

2) increasing bass levels will make your existing amp work harder. The lower the frequency, the harder it will work. It may or may not be up to the task so results could well be far from optimal, possibly worse overall. Powered subs deliver a lot of power typically for a reason.....it is needed for low bass. Power demands increase exponentially as frequency decreases. A powered sub will truly supplement your system’s bass capabilities. How well depends on picking the right sub up to the task with your mains and in your room and then setting up up well, which is not hard. Setting up well requires only a free sound level app on a smartphone and a source of white noise which can be streamed from sources over the internet. Or you can do it by ear which is not as reliable for best results but may still deliver the results you are looking for.
mapman's avatar
mapman
22,610 posts
 
Sound meter (you can use an app on a smartphone) and white noise as a source ( available to stream via internet).

If you do not see response down to 20 hz, you are missing the lower octaves that you should be able to hear and a proper sub would be the remedy.

Use the same app and white noise to adjust the sub to proper level and crossover frequency if you get to that point.
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