Subwoofer suggestion


Hi,

I have a pre-amp/amp 5.1.2 setup with 200w amplifiers and B&W Speakers/Sub. Currently I have the B&W ASW610 subwoofer and looking to upgrade it to DB4S. I don't go very high in the volume and even for the current subwoofer, I feel that I barely scratched the surface with the bass. Is upgrading worth it? What difference will the DB4S sub give? 

Appreciate your suggestions.

128x128terrancej

@kraftwerkturbo   Would 2 subs placed close to the main speakers also allow higher low pass setting? Thinking using very small satelites that struggle at higher output levels and 80 Hz.

They might? The middle of the room next to the speaker location is typically within the rooms null.  -6dB sub-bass speakers dramatic roll off seems to allow them to work within room nulls. The crossover might be the first adjustment in blending with the satellite pair. 

-3dB subwoofers lowest frequencies struggle when placed in a room null. Subwoofers usually give their most detailed performance and disappearing when positioned within the rooms greatest standing wave bass mode. 

And to be more accurate, the PC12 was $1350 new in 2013. The ASW855 retailed $2200 new.

@hawkrider00 Here are two reviews from the same time period that quote the retail prices as $3000 and $949 for the 855 and PC12, respectively. Either way, to say the 855 outperforms the PC12 is, well, duh.

http://www.soundstagexperience.com/equipment/svs_pc12_plus.htm#:~:text=With%20this%20model%2C%20SVS%20literally,%241798%20will%20buy%20you%20two.

https://www.kenrockwell.com/audio/b-w/asw850.htm

Even at $2200, for that price you could get two SVS SB3000s. Now that’d be a more interesting, useful, and relevant comparison and truly apples to apples. 

Two subs correctly placed will help with the room modes and standing waves that all rooms have.Correct placement is more important than choosing which brand is *best*.You can research this before making a decision. The majority of bass in music goes no lower than 40hz.

Next time read/quote my entire post.  I already said it was not apples to apples. And to be more accurate, the PC12 was $1350 new in 2013. The ASW855 retailed $2200 new.  I bought it used for $500. 

I recently replaced a 30 year old Paradigm PS1000 with a very nice used B&W ASW855 for my second family room system.  I have an SVS PC12 in my main system which performs respectably, but this B&W is mighty impressive. It is effective down to 15hz and seems to outperform the SVS in most, if not all, aspects.

@hawkrider00 Well the 855 damn well should outperform the PC12 — you’re comparing a $3k sub to a $950 sub and inferring B&W subs are better.  Apples and oranges dude. 

Would 2 subs placed close to the main speakers also allow higher low pass setting? Thinking using very small satelites that struggle at higher output levels and 80 Hz. 

Sidenote: using 2 subs was mentioned as beneficial. Assuming same 'air movement capability' and budget (think 2x 12" vs 1x 18"), what ARE the perceived noticeable benefits? For discussion sake, I counter that the single LARGE sub will reach lower and is easier to 'hide' than 2 small subs. 

While it’s not an apples to apples comparison, I recently replaced a 30 year old Paradigm PS1000 with a very nice used B&W ASW855 for my second family room system.  I have an SVS PC12 in my main system which performs respectably, but this B&W is mighty impressive. It is effective down to 15hz and seems to outperform the SVS in most, if not all, aspects. If you can find a good used ASW 8 series it may do well with your other B&W speakers.  

Svs SB 4000, free delivery around $1800 nice app. control it 45 day audition 

5 year transferrable warranty, it matters not how loud you play it’s the power reserves and Quality of Bass , and you can play it wireless with a kit .

 

In this case, upgrading your subwoofer is not about adding volume to the system, although that will probably also be possible. A larger subwoofer should allow you to reach lower in the frequency response range to take advantage of the LFE track on your multi-channel AV entertainment, as those tracks can get well into the infrasonic range.  This is less important for music that is based on natural instruments (pipe organs notwithstanding, since they can get down to infrasonic frequencies), but if your music tastes run to music that includes synthesizers too, those lower frequency ranges that an improved subwoofer can reach can be applicable here too.

It's worth noting that while CEA-2010-A measurements for the base B&W AS610 have not been taken, nor are they comprehensive indicators of a subwoofer's performance, the ASW610XP has been measured, and its performance here is roughly analogous to the ubiquitous SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofer. I would suggest that while the DB4S would be considered an upgrade from your current unit, there are other options to consider.  Several non-B&W products might gain you equal or better performance for the same budget, particularly if you were to invest in a pair of subwoofers rather than a single larger unit.  I have been particularly impressed with the output of both Monoprice's current-generation THX subwoofers and RSL's Speedwoofer 10s/12s, both of which are available at prices under $1,000.  Dual subwoofers, properly placed within your listening area, can provide dramatically improved bass response within it, regardless of the volume they are set at.

Marantz AV7705 Preamp

Monolith - 7 X 200W amp

B&W CM10 Front, CT7.3 Center

CM5 Rears

Sub - ASW610 - looking to upgrade to DB4s

What’s the rest of the equipment in your system, and do listen to 2-channel too and if so how important is that to you vs. HT.