Very basic subwoofer question


I'm thinking of adding a sub to my two-channel system, which has a pair of KEF LS-50 speakers, on Sound Anchor stands. I'm generally quite happy with things as they are, except for occasionally feeling that I'd like a bit more on the bottom end. I'm not looking for chest-thumping, room-shaking bass, but instead want to hear what's not there now. Like Paul Chambers on "Kind of Blue," who sometimes feels more hinted at than present. Or Phil Lesh on "Friend of the Devil" -- or myriad other Dead tunes -- whose bass playing also isn't quite fully there.
What I want is to hear more rather than feeling it.
Is what I'm hoping for realistic? Attainable?
I could detail my system, etc., but I'm not looking for specific suggestions about which sub, how many subs, etc. I'm just hoping to hear from someone who might be able to tell me if what I want is possible, at all.
Thanks very much.
-- Howard

hodu

Showing 1 response by atmasphere

In my bedroom system I don't have a lot of room and some recordings have bass that my tiny speakers simply don't even hint at.

So I added a sub (Golden Ear Subx). I really had to fiddle with placement so I could hear the bass from my bed. A standing wave prevented it going in the spot I felt was the most convenient. That's the thing about one or two subs- you have to fiddle to get it right. I kept the sub output below 70Hz so it would not attract attention to itself, and then just worked with the level so I really was getting the bass notes. The main speakers roll off at about 60Hz (KLH model Nineteens) so this worked out pretty well.


A Distributed Bass Array would have worked better (I could have heard the bass throughout the room rather than just near the bed) but since the goal was listening from my bed that was not important.