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Should I bother to try a subwoofer?

My speakers are listed as going down to 40 HZ (Dynaudio 1.3 MkII monitors).
There is an REL Strata III available locally that I might snag, try out and re-sell if I don't like/need it. My question is this: since I would not be using this for movies, do I even need this? I mostly listen to classical music, more chamber than symphonic, and occasionally listen to rock, jazz and other pop styles.

Am I likely missing something without that lowest octave? I'm thinking that 99% of the time the sub might not even be in use if it kicks in at 40 Hz.

Any comments, purely theoretical or from experience, will be welcome.
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Showing 3 responses by macdadtexas

macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
the Rel, which is a GREAT sub for music, will add a lot to your musical experience. Try crossing it over at 55hrz to start and go down from there.

I had a Rel B1 that I used with my Maggie 3.6R's (measured down to 34 hrz, about the same as your speakers), and I ended up with the sub crossed over at about 42 hrz, and not turned up too high on the gain, and man, what a difference.

I currently use a Def Tech Supercube 1 with my Maggie's crossed over at 40 (lowest setting), and once again, it's just sublime to add that sub for the lowest octaves.

Good luck.
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
I agree with Rfogel18 completelly. That is a dumb statement. Most speakers just don't go down to the lowest frequencies. Not many are made that do. If you own Revel Salons that go down that low, well good for you, but if you own Maggies, or certain Wilson's, or Dynaudio, or Martin Logan's, or Quad ESL's......

Then a sub is a great addition.

Bought the wrong speakers, please.....
macdadtexas
1,794 posts
 
JL has limited hookup options, especially compared to the Rel's. JL's are great subs, but you really need a certain set up to use them. Also, they do not allow for mulitple input signals as the Rel does. If you have Rel's you can put your LFE signal into one input from your HT processor, and the Speakeron connection from a dedicated 2 channel preamp, and it will work with both signals, the JL will not do that.
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