One Sub or Two?

Hey folks, looking for some thoughts here on subs…

Putting together a system with B&W 801 D4s and a HTM81 D4. I don’t think B&W makes the best subs necessarily, so…

1. Looking for recommendations for other sub brands…I’ve heard good things about REL for example

2. Wonder whether I should get one “really good” sub or two “pretty good subs?”

System is for 2 channel listening to classic rock and also 5.1 audio for home theater purposes.

McIntosh amps and pre/pro.

Many thanks in advance for your advice…I appreciate it!

nankaroad03-09-2025 1:26am

jl35 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,152 posts 03-09-2025 at 04:07pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I use 2 REL subs, had 1 for year then added the other and significant improvement... a single sub can sound quite good if you have a single listening position you can place the sub for...
big_greg Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 6,710 posts 03-09-2025 at 04:10pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete For a room of that size, consider two (or more) Rythmik F18 or G25HP subs depending on what budget and room (and wife) constraints allow.
abnerjack Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 218 posts 03-09-2025 at 04:40pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete What ever happened to distributed sub arrays, swarms, and the more the better?
jl35 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 4,152 posts 03-09-2025 at 07:36pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete I agree the 4 sub swarm is ideal, but we are not all able to do that...
hilde45 Details Discussions Posts This discussion Message User 5,248 posts 03-09-2025 at 10:23pm Copy Comment URL Report Comment Edit Delete It probably depends on the room, but I'm surprised that I'm the only one on this thread who thinks that variable phase is important. I may be the only one who measured with REW, but I could see that variable phase was critical for integration.