Tight bass sub recommendations

Any sub that does not have variable slopes, 0°->180° continuous phase adjustment and phase invert should not be considered. Unless one is  very lucky, getting good integration sans these may be difficult.

Many claim to have a great setup, but if what I hear at dealers in any indication of what people have in their homes, I'll have to reserve judgement. Most dealer setups are universally awful.

After 15 years, I replaced my [customized] ACI Force with a pair of Martin Logan Dynamo 800x. The best location for single sub in our media room is in midway between the mains and halfway to the listening position. Two subs definitely broadens and focuses the sound stage.

The ARC software does a good job of controlling room defects. I'd recommend getting the Perfect Bass Kit as it does a better job than using a smartphone microphone, calibrated or not.

The smartphone control app is a dream. After decades of knob-dicking, zeroing to the best setting is a doddle. Raise the XO 5Hz, shift phase -3°, drop level by 1db, shelf the bottom octave -1db. It's so easy, it's silly.

Only negative, and it applies to most modern small subs, is they are too light. My 15 year old Force outweighs the 800x by 50% for the same driver size, amp power and performance range. On a large 2nd story wood floor, strolling may be a problem, especially with the rubber feet. Easily resolved with 10kg barbell weight with an added side benefit of MUCH TIGHER bass and far fewer room resonances. Strolling is less of an issue when using the spikes. [What's 8 more dimples in the bamboo?]

I normally have my subs' XO @ 105Hz. There is plenty of localizable information at full level at that setting. Adding an additional source would likely play havoc with the mid-bass imaging.

All I'm pointing out is that a swarm may not be the optimum solution for all sub permutations.

Everything HiFi is a compromise.

millercarbon,

Not all of us require homogenous bass through out the listening room. Some want it dead nuts accurate in one small area.

My head occupies 0.0825% of my listening room. Anyone who wants to listen sits in the 'hot seat.' It's not a social event.

Maybe one in a hundred who visit have the ability to offer a valid critique. The rest make comments like "Wow!" regardless of where they are seated or standing.

If I play just the subs rolled off @35Hz on programme with very little real bass, I can still localize the subs and off centre bass blindfolded. Is that possible with 'homogenized bass' from a swarm?

Some liked the Bose 901 spread. Others thought it appalling.