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Subwoofers: add a JL Audio or switch to 2 Rythmic subs?

Am considering adding another subwoofer to my main rig.  System features Magico A5 speakers and one JL Audio E112 subwoofer in a dedicated 29' by 16' by 10' listening room.

The speakers run full range and the sub runs off the second line output of my Audio Research Reference 5SE preamp.  The sub is crossed over at about 40 hz via its own internal low pass crossover.

As is the system produces plenty of bass, which reaches to about 25 hz.  The sub is not detectable sonically but it's output in the low bass is a little down compared to mid and upper bass.

I've been contemplating adding another sub to smooth the bass response a little and also add a little output at very low frequencies.  I was also thinking about adding bass traps in the front corners behind the speakers, again to aid in low frequency smoothness (room currently untreated).

I'm intrigued and have been reading about the Rythmic subs (12SE).  They seem to be highly regarded by users on this site.  Additionally, they are available as a pair new for the same cost as one new JL E112.

Not sure if it's worth the trouble to even go down this road and looking for advice.

Thanks!

bobbydd

Showing 2 responses by m-db

m-db's avatar
m-db
937 posts
 

You don't say where or how your subwoofer was located. Sounds like your subwoofer is choking in a bass null. Map the rooms bass modes by using the crawl test then position your E112 in the loudest mode. All you may need are a pair of long cables from Blue Jeans or a WiFi devise.

+1 Ozzy. If needed a used F110 series v2 would make a sensible master controller. There's a very good reason JL's cost more. You only need to do the test once.   

m-db's avatar
m-db
937 posts
 

The job of speaker positioning is to prioritizes sound stage. The job of a -3dB subwoofer position is to evenly load the room with low frequency. Don’t be confused by the sight of -6dB sub-bass speakers stacked next to main speakers. Sub-bass speakers roll of much earlier than subwoofers and barely begin to excite the rooms modes compared to subwoofers. The only relation subwoofer/s have to the speakers is within the subwoofers crossover region which gets accomplished from an unnoticeable distance.

A single sub without any signal processing located in the rooms loudest mode will most likely provide an increasingly unnoticeable integration at the listening position and require the least amount of the subwoofers volume. Two and three subwoofers in the rooms other modes can compound the size of the listening position, further reduce the rooms modes as well as the individual subwoofer volume. Four subwoofers become a distributed bass array requiring far less, if any, room mode attention.

Do the test before you spend a dime.

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