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Subs and the quest for bass.

I recently picked up a Rythmik Audio F12SE subwoofer to compliment my B&W 805S. Happy with it, and the Rythmik has very musical bass. I am using an active crossover (NHT-X2 crossing at 80hz) and a Velodyne SMS-1 sub equalizer to even out the low end response. (I have a lot of bass modes.) The SMS-1 is very useful, and with help of quite a bit of EQ, my low end response is almost perfectly flat.

While it sounds great, I keep wondering how different the sound would be if I didn't have to use so much EQ. Then I started thinking maybe I should add another sub? When I started I told myself I would not do it. Also I had so much trouble getting good placement and setup with the first sub, I don't know if I even want to further complicate things.
nemesis1218
nemesis1218 OP
39 posts
 
Also if it means anything, the side-wall distance to each speaker is 3 1/2ft.
nemesis1218 OP
39 posts
 
Sorry for the triple post, but one last thing, if I were to use the above mentioned placement, how would I set the phaseof each sub? Would it be the same on each of them? (0 I'm guessing?)
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Nem,

If you're looking for the least EQ, my guess is that the corners wide of and behind the speakers will work well. I tried pretty much every combo of corner/corner, corner/midwall, and midwall/midwall (note: my room has no wall behind the listener). Some were slightly better than others, but there wasn't a ton of benefit (as measured by the SMS' RTA function) to any other location and the corner placement is symmetrical and eye appealling. OTOH, you will almost certainly see deterioration in the native (non-EQ'd) response if you pull the subs away from the wall and place them near the speakers.

Good Luck

Marty
nemesis1218 OP
39 posts
 
Well I also have no way to time delay my main speakers, which is also why I like the idea of placing them near the speakers.
martykl
3,578 posts
 
Nem,

I understand your point. Take a listen. Take a look (at the SMS-1 readout). Both will confirm that near wall placement (at least IME) yields much smoother response (pre- EQ).

If you don't care about the amount of EQ, it may not matter. Put the subs where you want and EQ them to your preferred response. If you want to minimize EQ, the subs will (probably) have to be against the wall. Corner placement raises the overall output level of the subs, meaning you'll be optimizing response for reducing peaks rather than boosting troughs, generally IME a good thing - though probably not essential with dual Rythmik 12 inchers in your room.

BTW, if you're crossing below 100hz, I don't think you'll hear any impact on imaging (at least, I don't) relative to sub placement. As your crossover point moves north, well....

Best of luck with the project.

Marty
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