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Vandersteeen 2wq (or any sub) in small room

Hi everyone,

I have an 11x16x8 room for music, with Vandersteen 2ce's and Aragon 8008BB amp. Tried all manner of placement, but still feel the bass is a bit thin (I realize that Vandersteens produce musical and accurate bass, but this is my perception). I have been reading about the merits of the 2wq sub in improving the Vandersteen sound, but these advocates usually have much larger rooms. Is using a sub in a small room a fool's errand? Would teh 2wq be a particularly finicky addition? Should I return to my efforts at room treatment with bass traps? Thank you. 

Paul.
paulburnett

Showing 3 responses by mb1audio02

mb1audio02
188 posts
 
Before you do anything make sure you go through the Modle 2's manual and set the speakers up exactly the way they tell you to. 

Also, go to the link below. Vandersteen just got permission to make all issues of the Audio Perfectionist Journal available to anyone that wants them at no charge. APJ has the most complete instructions on how to set up Vandersteen speakers and subs. They leave absolutely no stone unturned. They also show you how to make your own room tuning devices for a small fraction of what you would have to pay retail.

http://vandersteen.com/audio-perfectionist-journal
mb1audio02
188 posts
 
" Vandy subs, due to their use of first order filters, are more finicky to place than subs that use higher order filters. It's almost an imperative that you use two and you place them adjacent to the main speakers. If you don't the probability of localizing the sub increases, because the sub is still producing significant sound above the low pass filter setting."

How big was the room you had your Vandersteen subs, and were you using Vandersteen speaker as well?



mb1audio02
188 posts
 
" He did not recommend using a single sub. He did not admit it was due to his use of first order filters, but I now know that's the reason. If you can work around the placement limitation, his subs are fine."

That's not really fair to Vandersteen. When I read your first post, you were going on in such specific detail about the subs, I thought you owned them. In your next post, you explain how RV talked you out of buying them, and listed the reasons. At that point, your story seemed a little odd, but I gave you benefit of the doubt and didn't press the issue. Now, in the above quote, we find out that RV was not the one who told you the 1st order xovers makes things difficult for placement. You got the information elsewhere. If that's not bad enough, you really deliver a low blow when you say RV was deceptive in not admitting he knew this to be a problem. And all this from a phone conversation that took place 15 years ago. And lets not forget that you've never owned or set up a pair of Vandersteen subs. Those of us who have can tell you your comments don't match up with reality.

" The sub is low passed and the mains are high passed. Not the same signal at all."

That's also wrong. If you don't believe us, check the owners manual.
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