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Placement of Dual Powered Subs with Tower Speakers

Just purchased a second REL S/5 Sho. Main speakers rated down to low 30's...I know exact placement was crucial with single sub, wondering if just as crucial with 2...
jl35

Showing 7 responses by erik_squires

erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
In practical ways, Duke's own method is not very different than my own.

I think duke is more conscious of the fact that most of us can't really place subs wherever we want to, which is true.

So, the reality is you place subs were best you can, but what happens next?  You have to set up the crossover frequency and phase, and there's just no way to do both at once, and as Duke points out, having different phase or, by extrapolation, different low pass points and levels may be needed.

So, I think we are all circling the same tree trying to catch the same solution.

erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
If it works, it works!

@audiokinesis 
erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
In practice the room’s layout usually imposes constraints, and from there one just applies the basic principle of maximizing spacing and asymmetry. Like I recently did a layout for someone who wanted to avoid wires crossing walkways, and one quadrant of the room was off limits. Those were the constraints, and from there it was pretty straightforward.

@audiokinesis
Well, color me surprised this works as well as you have experienced!! It feels a little too much like relying on serendipity for me to have every thoguht to try it this way. :-)
erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
planning where they BOTH will start (which is far apart, and asymmetrical).


OK, so how do you get to this asymetrical plan? Do you use a room simulation similar to REW's ?
erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
The general idea is that each sub interacts with the room differently and produces a significantly different in-room peak-and-dip pattern, and it is the SUM of the two dissimilar peak-and-dip patterns that matters.

Riiiiight..... so...

Nothing against the strategy Erik recommends, his may work better; either one will result in a worthwhile improvement.

What exactly do you, @audiokinesis  ,think the difference is, in setting up 2 speakers between what we are recommending?? , because I can't see it. :)

erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
By placement I mean location in the room. That takes some effort.

Turning it to the side, or away from the listener, etc. usually has very little benefit, so orient them in the most aesthetically pleasing manner.

You want to locate the first sub so as to have the smoothest measured response, with minimal anti-modes (big dips) and small peaks. Then locate the second sub in the room so as to complement and smooth it all out. 

Turning your sub around won't really help this. :)
erik_squires
15,826 posts
 
Yes, but not the same way.  When you place your main speakers you place them for symmetry above all.  In 2 sub setups symmetry is often a bad idea.

You want to place the first sub as ideal as you can, then place the second so it fills in thee nodes left behind.

Consider the Room EQ Wizard’s room simulator as a useful guide.
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