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Your experience of moving to two subs

Hi all, I have a 2.1 system with the sub sounding best in the center between the loudspeakers. My speakers have substantial, deep, and detailed bass for their size and with the SS amp I’ve chosen. Thus, the sub’s optimal crossover setting is only at about 28hz. I have plenty of bass amplitude going on -- don’t need "more" bass.

I’m wondering about soundstage effects of having two subs on the outsides of my speakers, though. Having my sub in the center does result in some apparent compression of the low frequencies towards the low-center area. The L and R channels from my preamp are combined at my sub. I know some people may disagree and think that the source of frequencies below 60hz can’t be located by human hearing, but my experience tells me differently.

Does anyone have an opinion on the benefits of 2 subs vs only 1 when there’s no need for more bass oompf?

128x128gladmo

Showing 1 response by prndlus

prndlus
55 posts
 

The argument that convinced me to go with two subwoofers says:

The bass wave is extremely long at the low end of the sub’s output, and the listener cannot tell where it originates.

The sub’s output higher up the spectrum enters the zone where the listener can tell where it originates.

And we want every directional cue we can get for the best soundscape.

Admittedly not much information is ‘lost’ to the listener with only one sub - if any is ’lost’ at all at those frequencies - you’re already down at 28Hz.

It’s a matter of a few percentage points improvement, maybe only 1% or 2%.

For me it was vital improvement.

Bass and drums took on a richer, finer texture, and the soundscape resolved more completely.

But then, my crossover points are in the low thirties and upwards of fifty for Magnepans.

 

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