Subwoofer Question

A crosssover is not a cliff, so other fundamentals of slightly higher frequencies, lets pick 80hz  (at progressively diminishing volumes) are simultaneously originating from the sub’s location, and each fundamental brings it’s own set of harmonics, 160, 240, 320, ..... ALL lower in volume, yet ALL higher frequencies, ALL becoming progressively narrower, more directional.... 

When the ear can locate a harmonic’s location, the brain can ’find’ the origin of the fundamental.

Near crossover points, and as frequencies transcend, you can have both the sub’s cone, and the main’s woofer’s cone both making the same fundamental and series of harmonics. To retain directionality, to get the benefit of imaging, it is better to locate a stereo pair of front firing subs adjacent to the mains. I don’t llike ports, if so, also front firing to preserve/enhance imaging.

My speakers have 15" woofers with monster magnets, to both move and stop the cone (they weigh 37 lbs each) I think of them as built-in subs. People with true subs and sub arrays certainly have more lows than me, but I benefit from the bass imaging they create.

we read all the time that bass is omni-directional, but that's out in a cow pasture.

the conflict, in a listening space is, one sub, let's get the extension but not know it's location

two subs, let's get the benefit of extension AND imaging.

array, well that's for the big dogs for true extension added to large full range systems

My little 5.1 video system, I have 1 sub with a 1000 watt amp, right next to me, facing the TV, primarily to get Jurassic Park Dinosaur Stomps ...

Those frequencies can be directional due to intensity/level/loudness.  If the frequecies for the sub are recorded stronger in one channel or the other it will pull the image toward the sub.

If your mains are rated to ~44Hz anechoic, then they cab be benefitting from some room gain, as well.  That, coupled with the subs crossover set way to high and you'll have a problem.  For proper handoff from the mains to the sub, you'll probably find that the crossover will be much lower than what it is now.  Probably something in the ~30's Hz range.  In addition to that, if you get the crossover set properly, you can then increase the volume a click or 2 to aid in finding the lower bass notes that you might not be hearing now.  Try that after you get the crossover finalized, though.

Those frequencies can be directional due to intensity/level/loudness.  If the frequecies for the sub are recorded stronger in one channel or the other it will pull the image toward the sub.

@emuagogo  No.  Just…no.  If the sub is properly located and calibrated it will not pull images toward the sub, and if it does that’s because of very poor setup by someone who has no idea what they’re doing.