2. speakers
  3. 136305-85733

Surprised

Every time I listen to my system I am delighted with the sound, realism, imaging, tonal quality etc. First to describe my system in 2-channel since it seems most people who read these forums listen to either 2-channel or 2.1 channel.
I have a pair of Paradigm Signature S2’s and compliment each of them with a REL R-528. The REL’s are connected high level at the binding post of the amplifier (Anthem P5). It took awhile but I have them dialed in pretty good to the point when I watch something, even a movie streamed from my computer (Amazon) which comes through in 2-channel, I’m fooled thinking my center channel is active. When low frequency information is delivered, I forget there are subwoofers and the whole soundstage comes alive.
I just wonder why more people don’t opt for quality bookshelf speakers each complimented with it’s own dedicated subwoofer. Keeping in mind the REL is different than conventional subs in the way it gets the same exact signal signature as the main speakers.
I’m interested in hearing others thoughts on my scheme as opposed to floor standers with a single sub with appears most popular.
oldschool1

Showing 2 responses by wspohn

wspohn's avatar
wspohn
620 posts
 
Integration is always at least a possible issue with subs. Many are very flexible and easy to integrate like the REL, Vandersteen, and Hsu, but many are not.

Most subs aren't for really low bass, they are for bass from about 60 Hz and down and I've seen both really good pairing and really horrid sounding pairings.

The question of why people don't go this way more often is probably that when you buy a full range speaker, the manufacturer has already done all the integration work for you and you can bet it will be optimal.  OTOH, if you are building a  system on a budget, separates offer stepwise progress even if it wouldn't have cost more to just buy the full range speaker in the first place.

I listened to a pair of Spica TC-50s with Vandersteen 2Ws and it was pretty impressive, so very good sound is possible either way..
wspohn's avatar
wspohn
620 posts
 
Good bass is possible at acceptable cost if you look to heritage speakers.

I still use some late 1980s Vandersteen 4As in one of my rooms. They were built in small numbers at much higher price in between filling all the orders for the 2Cs and they were overly complicated - basically a separate push-pull subwoofer in a single cabinet, driven by a separate amplifier and, to get best sound, a Vandersteen made active crossover.  I have two bass amps, two amps for mid and highs, triwired, with separate crossover.  But the pay off was that they sound very good indeed, probably better than anything up to the Vandersteen 5, they were 3Db down at 24 Hz, and they can be found (if you look awhile) for under $2K - sometimes well under. 

There are a number of other classic speakers that were true full range including many under that price point - I'm sure people could recommend any number of them, Maggies, Infinity etc.

In other words, a full range set of speakers for less than you paid for one of your RELs.....
More to discover