Single vs Dual Subs

Thanks for all the responses. I was thinking about how the connections, should I go the 2 sub route. If I set the pre/pro to "no sub" and ran both front left and front right full-range, then couldn't I have both 2-channel and 5-channel covered and not have to do any cable-swapping? Or would I be messing something up by not using the sub/LFE channel out of the pre/pro?

Thanks again,
Lou

Yeah, it hit me while I was out with the wife and kids that I should just use the high-level connections and forget the .1 channel. I'm not a "purist" in that sense; I just want the sound to be well-integrated and, of course, get sufficiently low without boom, echo, overhang, etc.

Thanks again, all. Looks like I'm headed for dual subs.

Given my theoretical budget, I'm thinking Hsu and SVS. Others I should consider?

Lou

Somec59 said:

Dual element push-pull subs are smaller in size than single element subs

OK. Manufacturers?

Bob said:

For movies the LFE is a discrete channel, so why not take advantage of it?

Sure, the LFE is there. The question would be, "Since the LFE is mono, might one getter better 2-channel performance by keeping the L and R signals distinct?" The idea would be, to me, that the subs are just making the mains more full-range, while the LFE is combining all the LF into a single channel.

I do appreciate all the thoughts here. It's helping me think through my approach to this.

Lou

1) Audyssey, SVS/Audyssey, Velodyne SMS allow parametric EQ below the x-over frequency. The benefit in seamless integration and smooth deep bass (i.e. "fixing your room")is amazing. If your pre/pre-pro/receiver doesn't have this feature, I'd budget $450 (Velo SMS) to $800 (SVS/Audyssey) to add it.

Anybody got an idea how much practical difference there is between the Velo SMS-1 and the SVS/Audyssey AS-EQ1? The AS-EQ1 is just in the process of being released -- I haven't seen any used available on the 'gon yet. The SMS-1, on the other hand, can be had for under $400 used at present. So, any idea which of the following would be best?

- 2 Hsu VTF-2 + SVS AS-EQ1
- 2 Hsu VTF-3 + SVS SMS-1
- 2 SVS PC12 NSD + SVS AS-EQ1

They all come in around $2k, though the VTF-3 combo is a little more than the other two, which come out nearly identical.

Thanks,
Lou

A-gon'r Kr4 has compared many of the available room correction devices (not sure about the SVS) in his work for Stereophile. You might want to drop him an e-mail.

I did. Unfortunately, he's in the process of reviewing the SVS/Audyssey right now, so he couldn't comment.

I think it's boiling down to this. Two identical subs from either SVS or Hsu, and see how well I can work things manually. The PEQ can be added later in several different ways. Leaving some budget for such future devices, I'm probably looking at a choice between 2 SVS PC12-NSD ($569 each) and 2 Hsu VTF-2 ($549 or $649 each depending on finish). I lean to the cylinder concept for subs, but I know my wife would prefer boxes. Hmmmm...

Thanks again,
Lou

Thanks, Marty. Will do.

Lou