Quote:Single-driver speakers are being accused of creating too much bass?...now I need to hear the Headwreckers, I am more intrigued than ever...
My retelling was a result of whisper down the lane, I didn't ask any clarifying questions. The reason I mentioned it is, It's so easy to overload most rooms. It's even easier when you don't realize how much pressure energy you are shoving in there.
When played at an appropriate level for the room they didn't have too much bass.
DD, I hear you. Sound is something we all connect to yet it's so difficult to explain and convey to others what our perception is.
I don't have much experience with subs. From a musical enjoyment POV, I wonder if having an automatic reverse volume control on subwoofers would solve some of the subwoofer issues.
Preamp at low volume the sub would play louder, as the preamp volume goes up the would slowly turn down its volume. This could be tuned to the room. Low volume listening one could enjoy a rich full sound. As the volume is increased and room modes start to show up the sub would output significantly less SPL in reference to the main speakers vs low level listening.
The reason I mention this is I've had the best results when I setup the sub to be ideal at my most common listening level, then backing it off a smidge. Adding a subwoofer shrinks the SPL vs enjoyment zone.
Subwoofers also can create phase issues. Common practice is to place a subwoofer so there is as smooth of a response as possible. This means that there is fight going on between the main speakers, subwoofer and room. The theory is that the subwoofer cancels out the bass wave of the main speakers to give a better frequency response. That means it's out of phase.
If you have a 10db suckout and want to fill it in with a sub you need to have the sub frequency out of phase with the main speakers.
Let's say there is a setup where phase isn't an issue. How does the subs sound signature and the speakers sound signature blend? My brother is almost done getting his GR-Research NX Extremes and Triple Threat subs completed. Danny Richie designed them to work together. In theory they should sound good together.
My guess is that the sound signature of the Triple Threat subs and PAP Quintets was just enough different that it bothered me. If I had changed tubes, would I have been 100% happy? I don't know.
Matching sub to speakers and room is much more complex than finding a pair of speakers that make one happy.
Subwoofers are generally heavy, difficult to place and time consuming to fine tune to the system.
Tony, That's great that you have someone you can borrow a sub from to try! Have you looked into the Omega sub? Seeing that it's the same manufacturer as your speakers, it might be the best synergy.
Gilf, We are on the same page.
I suggest going for stereo subs—you can start with a single. There many out there who will say how it doesn't make a difference. Thing is we listen with our bodies. Bass travels through the floor and then up through our feet and we sense it. We are sensitive enough to perceive direction of this vibration. Vibrations travel faster through the ground than the air. This is natural. If you are in the forrest and a tree falls, you will feel the impact before you hear it. #$^@ does it shake the ground!
I'm guessing this is one of the reasons I never was thrilled with listening to headphones.
Elder Island - Garden. This song that you can feel the bass coming before it arrives. The LP the rumble comes from the right and the digital the rumble comes from the left which bothers me. As a side note. The Torii MKV is with Don at Cryotone getting treated. The Tubecube 3.5w el84 amp I don't feel the bass before hearing it. The bass isn't nearly as clean and tight. Also the rumbly bass comes straight on not from the left.