Subwoofer insight.


This is new territory to me. Current speakers are 2 way with frequency response of 60Hz-20KHz with +/- 2dB.  Sensitivity rated as 86dB. Chance to purchase a pair of REL 7 tis. I feel like I am missing something but will have to buy the subs to try out. My basic question is this. Does this purchase sound wise? I know what I am willing to spend but do you think I will notice an appreciable improvement.  I know that no one can listen through my ears but this is my first time doing this. Source is 75 watt integrated tube amp, McIntosh MA-2275. Thoughts appreciated. I am leaning towards going forward with the deal but would appreciate some feedback. Room is large and open, 28X38 feet with 9 foot ceilings. Thanks for any feedback.
ricmci

Showing 4 responses by m-db

I find most any subwoofer/s is better than none. 
Its thrilling when you realize how much low frequency information you've been missing. Similarly, when you discover the further improvements as a result of the proper room placement and calibration of the two subs or more.
Your in the mob now.
It only took this OP a couple of days before he quickly realized the undeniable shortcoming of old school set-it and forget-it subwoofers. Smart guy. 


When we compared a beautifully crafted over $8k model with two DSP subs, its owner sold it the following week. The words this passionate Irishman used to describe it went well beyond junk.

Simply reading the manual it seemed obvious, they clearly aged out when the first set of preamplifier outputs became available.

I often consider sound reinforcement, recording, post production, and on and on, in other words the majority of the audio industry. Only one end of the high end uses that propitiatory high level subwoofer connectivity. 

That guy? He now has a full of crap DSP sub with thirteen remote controlled auto and manually adjustable parameters and filters within nine frequency bands from 15-125Hz. Six slightly augmented preset equalizations stored in memory for varying recordings or musical taste. Each setting shares a uniquely designed multi band crossover region that was also capable of closely matching his last two choices of main speakers systems sonic presentations rather than the half hearted idea of matching of a subwoofer to a speaker. Topping it off with really long RS-232 cables to two other crawl tested slave units complimenting his all tube vinyl based system. Big analog fan. 
I'm in agreement with the recent posts describing the physical robustness of Neutrik SpeakOn connectors and would add their ease of DIY termination. As a now stunningly unemployed Bass player I have yet to experience a problem with my amplifications SpeakOn connections while still enduring the bane of phone plugs and my lesser peeve, the female IEE power cable termination.

My short experience with using an amplifiers high level output used to source signal to a subwoofer, the audible shortcoming clearly seemed the inclusion of a third input/output between the source and the speaker system and /or the proprietary wire, not the SpeakOn. Wouldn't these various component combinations create a substantial potential of impedance issues?