Single vs. Dual Subs

Properly integrating a sub is really hard work, and rarely done by 90% of those who buy a subwoofer.

As a result most audiophiles have never heard a single subwoofer properly set up and think that stereo subs matter for the sake of Left/Right imaging or sensation. They do not if you set them up correctly.

They matter for frequency smoothing, and then only in cases when you have absolute control of their placement, and then, only somewhat.

Better room acoustics and EQ can make a single sub sound glorious and enhance the experience from dual subs as well.

Most audiophiles also try to stick to subs below 40Hz, when in fact cutting off their mains at 80Hz or so tends to greatly reduce doppler distortion (assuming small 2-ways) and increase the amp dynamic range.

Sadly people tend to want to just throw money at a problem that needs expertise. Hire an expert, or get a system with built in room calibration and sub management. You’ll be really glad you did.

My system is a great example. There are 5 subs asymmetrically placed around the room with each one a slightly different distance from a corner than the others. With music playing, even with plenty of bass, you can walk right up to any of them and think it is disconnected. In fact I wasted a lot of time in the beginning doing exactly that!

Just for the record, I do this regularly with a single sub, traps and careful use of an EQ.

The technical theory behind multiple subs stacks up and there’s a lot of support for it.

People I respect a lot like Toole propose this, but they often are talking about large rooms.

Conceptually this practice makes perfect sense to me. However in simulation, I just can’t get it to do much. So I’m unable to recommend it as much as I used to. If only I had the time energy and money to buy another 15" sub and shlepp it around my room. :)

I defer to those with more hands on experience than I.

Of course, you all know, the middle course here is bass traps plus EQ. The traps reduce the nulls and peaks, and the EQ takes care of what’s left.  Unlike multiple subs in a room, this is an approach which I have enough experience personally to recommend.  Of course, I'd never deny anyone the right to spend money, and I acknowledge my limitations in experience.

Actually not a lot....

Take a look at the Room EQ Wizard room simulator.

I've run a few simulations and honestly with an untreated room the benefits of filling in nulls aren't something I can replicate.

If anyone puts together an REQ simulation that shows 2 subs vastly better please point me to it online, I'd love to learn that this is better than I think it is.

Best,

Erik