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?

gladmo

Showing 1 response by terraplane8bob

Ther seems to be an assumption that bass is omni-directional.  It is not.  There is a point of origin for the original signal and two subs can resolve that reality.  It is like two ears helping locate the direction of a sound or two eyes resolving depth perception.  The only instance I can think of that might give false clues as to imaging is if the bass is recorded using a DI [direct in] input to the recording soundboard.  In that case, the bass is wherever the recording engineer decides he wants it to be.  "Prndlus" seems to be closest to this reality when he discusses soundscape and says, "And we want every directional cue we can get for the best soundscape ".    I agree !