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Sub Pairing With Harbeth 40.3 XDs

Hello all - was wondering if anyone can recommend a sub pairing that is commensurate with my Harbeth 40.3 XDs ...? I love it loud. Looking for tight , punchy thump from the kick drum that sounds like arena PA ...🥳 

my system : 

Manley Snappers , Manley Jumbo Shrimp Pre

 

Some of these Subs like the REL S/812 seemed kinda pricey....an Emminence $250 speaker in a shiny powered cabinet doesn’t seem worth $3200?

 

Thanks!

128x128tommypenngotti
m-db's avatar
m-db
930 posts
 
deadhead1000  

 I had a Volodyne that did not sound good with the Harbeth, it was a good sub, it just didn't blend well. 

willy-t  

I just replaced a Velodyne with a RELS812.  

Willy-T

 

Which model Velodyne subwoofer did you use?

tommypenngotti's avatar
tommypenngotti OP
217 posts
 

@jheppe815 

 

I like that set up....bet it thumps !

audiorusty
265 posts
 

Mr. Penngotti,

You and I are kindred spirits. I also like the music loud with a good thump from the kick drum. The good news is that it is doable. The bad news is that it is not quite as simple as just adding a subwoofer, though that is a good start.

In my opinion you do not need to buy expensive subs. I like the SVS SB4000. I also like Rythmik, but they don’t do loud as well as the SVS.

Regardless of what brand you end up liking, multiple subs will help minimize a lot of the room acoustic issues you could run into when you introduce powerful low end into your system.

Liking it loud with a strong low end will more than likely cause you to push your system too it’s limits so I would also be looking at subs (as well as all of your gear) that have actual balanced inputs. If you really want to achieve arena levels, you will need every bit of gain you can find and having a balanced system really helps with that.

Down the road I would look into some type speaker management system to limit the band width that your Snappers need to reproduce so they don’t get eaten alive trying to drive those Harbeths full range.

You can pm me if you have questions.

ohlala
1,231 posts
 

Installing subwoofers requires an even frequency response with limited decay to get tight bass. Multiple subs and feature sets included is subs are other tools to make this happen. With my limited experience I would suggest a larger subwoofer like the s812 or larger. I had an S510 with 15" main speaker woofers. While it was fine, it did not match the 'presence' and output of my speakers as well as my larger subs. 

ohlala
1,231 posts
 

@jl1ny

 

Sorry to interrupt but I am curious in what way is the S510 better than the T9. Room setup was the same for both models?

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