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Turned Off My Subwoofer ... And My Speakers Sound Great

I’ve had a pair of JA Pulsars (non-Graphene) for a couple of years now, and have been using them with a subwoofer. Today, I noticed that my Pulsars sounded very different. There was an expansion of soundstaging, the bass was more articulate and robust (i.e., it had more weight to it), and the highs really sparkled.

This was somewhat different from the sound to which I had become accustomed, so I looked on the panel and discovered that the sub had been turned off. Apparently, my wife had been dusting around my listening room and had accidentally hit the off switch.

I am kind of befuddled by this because I thought use of the subwoofer was supposed to achieve those sonically pleasing effects. Apparently not in my case. Have any ’Goners had this happen? I’m really happy with the "new" sound sans subwoofer, but continue to wonder why that is. I mean by all objective measures, the sub should improve the sound, not detract from it. I just don’t get it.
rlb61

Showing 1 response by b_limo

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b_limo
2,273 posts
 
It is my thought that If you have more bass without the sub, you are getting frequencies that are cancelling themselves out.  I recommend that you try playing with the phase and position of the sub.  If a sub is 180 degrees out of phase with your speakers, the bass will cancel itself.  Either that or the actual waves are cancelling out due to placement issues.  Like Douglas said 2 is better than 1.  Like MC said, 4 is better than 2.  It’s not about total output but rather smooth output.  With 2 or 4 subs you have less dips.

I’d possibly be interested in the JL.  PM if you want to sell it
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