Subwoofer Question


With the help of many in this community I have put together a two channel system I am very happy with. I am a proponent of both vinyl and streaming so the setup is as follows:

Plinius Hiato Integrated Amp
Dynaudio Contour S 3.4LE speakers
Martin Logan Balance Force 210 sub
Dr. Feickert Volare turntable with Jelco tonearm and Lyra Delos MC cartridge
Innuos Zenith server
Lumin T2 streamer/dac
Bryston CD player (don’t use much)
Analysis plus copper speaker cable and interconnects 

The ML sub was something I bought to augment a pair of Magnepan 1.6 speakers before I revamped everything. Quite frankly I didn’t know what I was doing; the thing is huge, difficult to position and I’m not sure I’m getting the bang for my buck.  It gives a boom for sure but is a bit muddy and I don’t have a lot of good positioning options. It just feels like it is too much and not a fit with everything else. My listening room is fairly small and I sit about 10-12 feet away from the speakers.  Because this hobby induces a never ending need to upgrade/tweak I have been thinking about replacing the ML with two smaller subs such as the REL T/7i’s or T/9i.  I do like bass so I feel I need/want a sub. In my research I also keep reading that subs make the midrange sound better if you have the right setup.
Am I crazy? Would very much appreciate thoughts and opinions.

thanks
Ag insider logo xs@2xpuppyt

Showing 2 responses by cbrents73

Have you, or are you able to, run the Anthem Room Correction software on your ML Sub (labeled PBK)?  If not, you haven’t maximized the potential of what that woofer can do.  Running the Room Correction will make a shocking improvement by helping it integrate better to your room and blend more seamless with your speakers.
puppyt,

avanti 1960 is spot on in his post and and particularly about ARC as it will not deal with the phase. 

However, as an FYI and bit of a plug, many new subs from ML and Paradigm that use their new App Control capability will actually deal with phase and polarity allowing you to adjust it from the seating position.  

Since I work for Paradigm & Anthem, I will toot our own horn in that realm since ML gets their technology from us and our woofers that we make in Canada have two US patents.  I don't want to get into a dissertation about that, but I will also mention that Anthem's STR Preamp and STR Integrated Amp when using the new ARC Genesis Software will measure and correct for phase when using one or two Subs in either Stereo or Mono.   

Thanks,
Chris