Lots of air= lots of subwoofer

Hi,

Yes. I have Klipsch Cormwalls with 15" woofers and have listened to the same cd (Missouri Skies) and the bass is palpable at low volumes. Quite different then a system with twin 6" or single 8" or 10" woofers.

Larry

Do you think that this illustrates the importance of the Fletcher-Munson effect? In the old days, there was a 'loudness' button which would increase bass output at low volumes, and to me, this made low volume listening much more enjoyable. Nowadays, not only don't you have a loudness button, most people don't even have 'tone' controls.

So what can you do for low volume levels? In your case, you got more and bigger subs. Maybe that's just another way of compensating for the F-M effect?

The F-M curve may partly explain the sense of more "air", but based on articles I've read, and some personal conversations that I've had with Richard Vandersteen, there is a more likely explanation. Using a subwoofer with crossover that handles the lower two octaves relieves the main speakers from handling the lower frequencies, thereby reducing distortion from the main drivers.

When I installed my pair of Vandy 2Wq subs, one of the first things I noticed -- after better defined and deeper bass -- was greater overall transparency, dynamics, and sound-staging from the main speakers (Vandy 3A Sig's). And I know it was not just my impression -- several friends who have "good ears" also heard the overall improvement in the sound quality of the main speakers.

Scott, I don't think we're on the same page. I run my Caravelles full range. Why not. They are absolutely wonderful from top to bottom, but a 7" woofer cannot move the air in a large room with 12 foot ceilings. That's where the sub comes in. I have my James crossed over at 50Hz. The air movement, bass, and richness comes from the (quality of course is a priority as well) size of the woofer. Everything being equal a 10" cannot do what a 15" can do in any room. The distortion you mentioned. I'm talking about low to very low volumes. Speaker/woofer stress, if you will, is not a factor.

I also found "more air" when I got rid of some bass nodes. Seemed very strange that the bass was so much more powerful when I added some bass traps (mondotraps) to my room.

brent
(when I stop learning, this hobby will probably seem less fun)

"I got rid of some bass nodes." That is one of the reasons two subwoofers are better than one. bass traps = (in my case) wife factor=no way=wife moving out. lol...

Warrenh
With your permission another possible equation is:

bass traps = (in my case) wife factor=no way=divorce lawyer=I'm moving out.

:-)))))))

Seriously, I recall months ago you were questioning the efficacy and sonic superiority of 2 subs. I'm glad everything worked out well for you. As you are finding, it is the only way to go. Congrats.

Here's a theory for you...

The relatively large amount of air movement from the 2 subs causes the sound from the main speakers to 'move about' such that there is a little less precision in your ability to localize the source of the sound, thereby creating space or 'air' around the image.

I noticed this kind of effect one day when I had my ceiling fan moving pretty fast. It caused a definite change in the sound from the speakers.

While my input isn't about a sub,I do understand good low info at lesser volumes. Going from Merlin MM to Sophia; and changing nothing else---I get it.--Think Lou Reeds "Walk on the Wild Side" Tonal bass,indeed.