Two Subs?

I assume that your system does not include Audyssey (or similar) room correction software. If that is true, a pair of optimally placed subs will (virtually) always provide smoother response and generally provide much smoother response than a single sub. Even if you don't need the additional clean output capability that adding a second sub will provide, you will almost certainly hear real benefits in bass articulation. As to room overload, just dial the subs down...you'll still hear the benefit of the second sub.

Good luck.

Marty

I've never heard the DSpeaker Anti-mode duocore, but it gets good reviews and (I believe) shows room analysis as well as providing correction. Underwood HIFI sells it on-line, and - I believe- provides an an-home evaluation/return policy.

Good Luck

Marty

As one who lacks PSM ego (tho I've got more than enough of the garden variety sort to offend most folks), I do use room correction. Attendant to that task, I've generated tons of readouts from my RTA that show FR at the listening position. Two subs generally produce notably better "looking" readouts at the listening position than one sub, prior to EQ. After EQ, two EQ'd subs probably produced better results than one EQ'd sub over a wide area - tho results at the listening position were awfully close. I say "probably" because the comparison is really dependent on how you define the "wider area".

I also emphasize "better looking" than "better sounding" only because the latter is subjective. However, to my ear, the results definitely correspond to the readouts - I much prefer the articulate bass sound of smoother FR at the listening position. IME, smoother response comes with multiple subs and/or room correction.

Just my own experience, FWIW.

Marty

PS - re: Bob's comment on the high level REL x-over scheme. There are advantages to inserting an active x-over that you forego when using REL's scheme. Believe what you will regarding the claimed benefits of REL's scheme, I'm pretty sure that Bob was expressing his own strong preference for actively crossing to the subs ahead of the power amp.

Wolf,

For the record, "smooth" is used in that sentence to mean "flat" FR - as in the peaks and valleys evident in the readout of a single sub have been "Smoothed" by the addition of a second sub or EQ. I hope I made it clear in my post that it's a personal preference, but I definitely find the bass more satisfying when the read outs are smoother. I've never enlisted the help necessary for a blind A/B test, so there's always that factor at play, but I'm pretty comfortable that EQ and/or multiple subs is more satisfying for me.

Id never say that my preference is/should be universally shared, but - if asked my opinion - that's the way I'd point someone. YMM certainly V.

Marty

BTW, I believe the cost is just over $1k, so I'm not sure it's "on the cheap" for you.

I live in LA. No "natural lumpiness" here. All smooth, all unnatural, all the time. Couldn't be happier.
One man's meat....

Rodge,

A kindred spirit: room correction, Tommy Emmanuel, and Frank Vignola. My Ryan Thorell archtop is one of my favorite guitars (tho it's not the Vignola model, it has a strong family resemblance). And I fully agree that when you clean up the lower registers via room correction, the personality of the guitar being played is much more recognizable.

Marty

Bo,

Audyssey requires that the subs be calibrated at 75db, IIRC. If you're using a pair of reasonably high quality subs, that requires quite a low setting, right there. The volume dials on my Rythmiks are set at the very low end of their range. I can't imagine going much lower.