Hi Everyone - I'm new here, but writing to get this group’s thoughts on whether my cs2.2s will benefit from one or more subwoofers. Bought new in 97, they’ve moved with me from one from one sub-par listening space to another, from apartments and other rentals to a starter home and then vacation home, and now they finally have the room they deserve in a renovated space designed for listening. They have never sounded better, but I’m sure this room can handle more bass.
Pretty wide range of music: classical ensembles to large orchestras, soundtracks, jazz, jam bands, rock. post rock, bluegrass, folk/world music, electronic, some pop and a large collection of live recordings, including about 1,000 bootlegs.
About a year ago, I demoed the Mangepan 3.7s for a week in this room, swapping back and forth with the cs2.2s. The Maggies presented a large image, kind of like sitting in the front row of a movie theater. But I ultimately preferred my Thiels, I liked the pinpoint precision of the Thiel image and while it wasn't as dense or tall as the Maggies, to me the Thiels presented more depth and sounded more natural.
On Eurythmics "I love you like a ball and chain", the 360 sound effect was more precise and obvious on the Thiels, but in general, I find that track to be kind of harsh sounding and I actually thought it was tonally more pleasing on the Magnepans. But overall I gave them back and kept the Thiels.
OK back to the subwoofer question, this room is treated with a combination of absorption and diffusion, including bass absorbers in rear corners. Overall it's designed to be a bit more lively than a 100% listening room because my family also uses the space for playing various instruments. But I think we can handle more bass without adjusting any of the treatment. My sons like a lot of tracks with some serious bass and I'd like to try to deliver more without giving up the perfect imaging we have now.
Thanks!
Barnett
