adding multiple subwoofers


Thank you all for some of the advice I’ve received on the forum. As a result I've made changes to my room and speaker layout, added GIK room treatment and have Townshend bars. I am now considering adding 4 subwoofers after suggestions here and reading the Adding a Sub paper by Barry Ober.

Ober suggests adding a crossover like the dbx crossover sending low frequencies to the subs only and the rest to the main amp / speakers. I am considering going that route. I have a Primaluna EVO 400 and Klipsch Cornwall IVs. I am considering the SVS SB-1000 Pro subwoofers. SVS has received positive reviews here and I liked the price point  ($2000 for 4 subs) , the smaller footprint, lack of a port, and the ability to use the SVS app to make all the subwoofer adjustments the Ober paper suggests. Seems using the app could also be an easier way to make those adjustments?

There seems to be many ways to add multiple subs, such as the AK Swarm, for example. That would be more expensive and not clear on the specifics of setting them up or benefits. Have others gone my route? Is there a reason to go towards the Swarm or something else?

Thanks again for any help.



stalajkowski

Showing 1 response by millercarbon

The crossover you are talking about is unnecessary and with your speakers actually counterproductive. The advantage of multiple subs is primarily from having multiple locations for bass. Adding four subs adds four new low bass locations. Crossing over from your mains removes two locations. This is what we call "own goal".

I’ve gone the whole route from none to one to four to now 5 subs. Was expecting you to have read myself, or Tim (noble100) or audiokinesis or perhaps even Toole or one of the white papers on subs. These would all say what I am saying.

The number of subs is so much more important than anything else that it frees you up to do four pretty much any way you want. The least expensive will be what I did, buy 4 cabs and drivers from Parts-express.com and drive them with one or two Dayton SA-1000 sub amps. The Dayton has all the flexibility you want and with four 10" drivers will get excellent DBA for well under $3k, possibly under $2k if you catch a deal and paint instead of laminate. Mine are genuine Rosewood veneer and 2 amps (really only need one) and I was still under $3k. https://systems.audiogon.com/systems/8367 

You could also get excellent results with a couple of the Tekton 4-10 subs. Or any combination of powered and active subs. That is one of the beautiful things about taking this approach, it is incredibly flexible and effective almost regardless of how you go about it.