Don't rule out the Legacy Audio Subs. They make 4 models: the Goliath, (The ultra-high performance Goliath XD subwoofer from Legacy will match the dynamic range of even the most efficient speakers. Massive motors on dual 15" Silver/Graphite/Rohacell woofers provide world class performance and will handily deliver 130 dB of low distortion output. Bass pressure in rooms will rise and fall so quickly that room boom and droning is not an issue. Kettle drums will roll and thunder, kick drums will have visceral punch and pedal notes will surge with this Goliatath of a subwoofer.) The LF Extreme ( The Xtreme XD has the power and speed to keep up with Whisper. Dynamic braking, a Rohacell/Silver/Graphite cone and additional ICEpower® amplification make this unit absolutely world class. Bass with BOUNCE, not bloaf.), the Point One HD, (The Point One subwoofer is one of very few subwoofers that can actually enhance the performance of the Focus HD speaker systems. Providing total control over level, phase, and crossover frequency, the Point One also boasts Legacys unique BLEND feature. Now with balanced inputs.), and the Metro, (As a 16" cube, Metro is the smallest of our renown subwoofers. Capable of an amazing 117dB of output, Metro is designed to augment systems with woofers 10" and smaller.) I use two LF Extremes in my system. They blend in well with the Focus SE, the Helix, and I'd hope the V as well.
JL Audio now makes small, lower cost sealed 8" and 10" subwoofers in their new Dominion line. Based on my listening to other JLs, these should have no trouble blending with the mains and adding body and dimension to your setup.
The "precise" volume setting changes when needed...I instantly know when it's too hot or not, but I have a "default" setting for most of the time, and stuck a "chicken head" knob on the volume so it's easier to steer.
WOLF_garcia wrote " I do have to adjust the sub level here and there." I totally agree. It is absolutely important to to set volume precisely. Most audiophiles set volume too high, presumably because they want to hear strong, powerful bass all the time. A properly adjusted sub do not call attention to itself all the time; only when the music demands it.
I think there's a great case to be made for multiple subs, but in MOST rooms, especially if mostly near field listening, you really can easily get away with one...if it's a well designed sub like REL makes. "Aural cues" that determine soundstage accuracy aren't in the bass domain really, and note that a REL sub when utilizing the "high level" signal from the power amp won't relieve the main amp's task, but will certainly SEEM like it is. I have skinny tower speakers with a front firing REL behind one speaker and it loads my large-ish room just fine...a lucky acoustic profile in this room helps everything, and I do have to adjust the sub level here and there.
Some of these comments are just canned responses that probably don't apply here. OP specifically says it's for near-field listening in a small room, so I would think that he should be able to get good results from 1 sub.
A benefit of using even one powered sub is the potential to offload a lot of heavy work from the main amps and speakers so that alone will often result in better sound even if there is still likely room for improvement by adding subs. In many cases the added benefit Of more subs may be marginal enough to not matter to some. I've run with a single sub crossed over above 50hz in the past and been quite satisfied. Although bass levels varied at various room locations. Also I know technically imaging and soundstage would be even better with two well placed subs but practically it sounded spot on as needed in the sweet spot.
I agree with Mapman and Bob Reynolds. And also remember when I was thinking of adding a first sub to my stereo and had no measuring capabilities - or understanding, for that matter. So can relate to the OP maybe getting overwhelmed.
I started adding a REL Storm III and loved it. Paired with B&W 804S. The speakers were used full-range, just like REL recommends, and the sub augmented the speakers low frequency output.
Then I got into acoustics, got myself stuff for measuring, experimented, etc. Eventually I bought two Rythmik 12" kits and built very heavy sealed subwoofers. Rythmiks are outstanding subwoofers, and much cheaper than REL.
Initially I set up the Rythmiks to augment the low end and measured and tweaked a lot. My amp is tubed, so I then experimented running from the preamp (also tubed) to each SW crossover, and feeding my main amp everything above 80Hz. To my surprise and despite the lower quality of the parts inside the included crossover, I liked the sound better. I think both the tube amp and the 6" woofers are happy not attemting to reproduce below 80Hz.
I definitely recommend two smaller subwoofers over a larger single one. And by adding even more subwoofers you can make the low frequencies response smoother across the room. See Earl Geddes papers on this.
A properly set up T5 will work. I suggest that you use the speaker outputs to the REL rather than going through any other crossovers. Proper set up ( location, phase, volume, crossover setting) ) is crucial and differs from other subwoofers. I would suggest you set the crossover point at 55 Herts to start with. Don't be afraid to place the sub in a corner, facing across the room. My son uses a T5 with very good results
You may only need one sub but it depends. It is a practical compromise though. Two are really needed for optimal results in all regards from a sweet spot. That's why any full range stereo speaker has woofers. 4 even maybe if you want the right bass throughout the room, not just the sweet spot.
FWIW: In my small (11x13) dedicated listening room the main speakers are a pair of Sonus Faber Liuto monitors As an experiment, I added a couple of Andrew Jones designed Pioneer SW-8MK2 subwoofers. I'm quite pleased with the results. The ROI on this combination has exceeded my expectations by a large margin.
SVS SB-1000 is a nice sealed sub. I used one with Harbeths and they would blend nice with any speaker. SVS has a 45 day return policy,so if you don't like it you can return it with full refund.
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