One or two subwoofers?


Adding subwoofer to two-channel system. Main speakers are a MTM two-way design flat to about 45hz (Northcreek Catamounts). Hoping to get down to 25 to 30hz with subwoofer. Looking for fast, tight response to match main speakers. Subwoofer will be integrated through Tact room correction pre-amp with sub-outs for up to two subwoofers. Room is medium, about 10' x 17'. Have read elsewhere that two subwoofers are best. Is this true and, if so, why? I thought low bass was non-directional, so no loss of stereo effect by using one. I'm willing to crowd the room with two subwoofers if necessary for best effect, but would prefer just one. Your thoughts? Thanks in advance.
lavoy

Showing 1 response by dbld

I wholeheartedly agree with Duke. Some good reading on the subject is found here:

http://www.etfacoustic.com/demoroom.all.html

As well as elsewhere on that site. The documentation there leads to a very strong argument for using subs regardless of your main speakers’ ability to reach the lowest octaves. It all depends on your room, and the placement options for your mains and subs. It could be that the best place for your mains is not the best place for the subs, so the mains shouldn’t necessarily try those frequencies. Always though, this all depends on your ability to tune to subs properly to integrate with your mains.

In my set-up I was surprised that the speaker designer suggested simply orienting one sub 90 degrees in relation to the other. I tried a lot of positions that looked really nice, but this suggestion ultimately gave the best response. Maybe it was just coincidental, since I really didn’t have many placement options.