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Need advice on adding subs

I’m looking for advice on adding subs to my system.

I listen primarily to small combo jazz and classical but I’m disappointed by the classical symphonic reproduction. I can only enjoy symphonic music on my headphones. Perhaps, I could improve symphonic on my main system by adding subs.

I don’t listen at high volume nor am I a bass fanatic. I just want the better sound. This is strictly 2 channel system. I have no interest in HT. I live in an apartment.

My system:

Balanced Power Technology BP-1 Conditioner
Toshiba lap top with JRiver feeding via crossover Ethernet to
Sonore Rendu
Wyred4Sound Dac-2
Warpspeed Optical Attenuator
First Watt J2 Output power 8 ohms30 watts 4 ohms15 watts

Reference DeCapo MM 2-way Monitors

The speakers are a simple 1st order high pass passive 3kHz x-over to the tweeter. I believe the woofer is designed to rolloff naturally at both ends of its band width.

I’m open to any ideas. Lets say up to $2000 budget.


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Showing 2 responses by martykl

martykl
3,578 posts
 
I'm not in love with the combo of deCapo and subwoofers.  

The deCapo is beautifully balanced as a stand-alone.  The presence thru treble is gently rolled off to balance the modest bass energy.  As a stand-alone monitor, it's really, really good and IMO one of the best values out there (which is why I bought mine).  When I added a subwoofer (for pretty much the same reasons stated in the OP), I loved the extra weight on the bottom end, but the sound as a whole went dull.  I tweaked it for a long time, but eventually moved on.

I think I'm one of the bigger subwoofer fans on this board and I'm surely one of the bigger deCapo fans, but the combo didn't work for me.  YMMV.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Cjk,

Unfortunately, this was some years ago and I'm not 100% certain of my timeline.  Over the last decade plus, I've used both Velodyne SPL subs and (the far superior, IMO) Rythmik 12" subs extensively (among others, less extensively) with many different speakers.  I still own both sets of subs, tho the SPLs have been relegated to non-critical uses.  I may have well tried both with the deCapo, but I can't swear to it.

In any case, I don't think it was the choice of subwoofer that did in the combo.  IMO, subwoofers work best with neutral to somewhat bright monitors.  I'd call the deCapo neutral to somewhat warm in voicing.

YMMV, but I eventually concluded that the deCapo works better as a stand-alone.  IMO there are numerous monitors out there that work better with subs .... probably because they weren't as skillfully voiced to stand alone.  Just MHO.
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