Mixing subs?


Have been having issues with my JL Audio E112 subs.  Have three of them in a mini “swarm” augmenting Magico A5 main speakers.

 

I’m generally satisfied with this set up though I’ve heard a few VERY expensive set ups with better bass.

 

Recently one of my subs died - no output at all.  No idea why and no warnings.  My other two occasionally act up as well though right now they seem to be functioning properly.

 

So I’m weighing my options:

 

Repair the one sub and keep going with current set up or

 

Just use the two functional JL’s or

 

Buy either two or three new subs from another manufacturer and eventually sell the three JL’s or

 

Buy two new subs and go to a total of four using the two new ones in front and two JL’s in rear

 

Subs under consideration include SVS SB5000’s, Rythmic, and at higher cost Perlisten R212’s.  I’m not overly impressed with REL’s after hearing a six pack of Carbon’s and 31’s in several very high end set ups 

 

Is mixing brands/models a problem?
 

Thanks!

bobbydd

@bigtwin  I assume you are referring to height-wise stacking?

Sub drivers stacked up height wise can nullify height-wise room modes and add another level of bass uniformity.

You can either put one subwoofer on the floor and another one in the ceiling, (in-ceiling sub), lift one up.... or you can get models with multiple drivers like these which stack drivers 6 ft up. The latter might work for above purpose, but, you lose phase control on the driver at height, so it comes down to the same and placement of a 2nd sub. 

Stacking very expensive single driver subs all the way up can be a li’l....silly. There might be better ways to spend your cash.

For example, this one’s the 6-10 model from Tekton. It’s just one sub priced at $1500 with multiple stacked up drivers.

 

 

 

I’ve always  wondered why people place stacks of subs in the listening room.  Don’t get me wrong, I have two REL s/812 in my system and was playing with them just this morning.  But my question is this.  We spend so much time and money, trying to control the bass waves in the room, bass traps etc..  why would anyone put stacks of subs in play.  It’s just counter intuitive?  Happy to learn something today. 

@bobbydd Manufacturer ratings: Your E112 -1.5dB@22 Hz / REL No.32 6dB@15Hz / Perlisten vented R212 small room filter -10dB@18Hz.

Garmin JL Audio, SVS and Rythmik Audio produce subwoofers that produce substantial extra low frequency. Adding a fourth subwoofer you'll enjoy the stunning benefit of a full room distributed bass array using minor asymmetrical corner placements.  

Because of their dramatic roll off the REL and Perlisten are sub-bass woofers. While they'll definitely add their limited low frequency, just not what you're used to. -6dB of 15Hz is barely audible and simply won't excite a rooms standing waves which is why they can be stacked up most anywhere in a room. 

When I purchased my two Velodyne DD-12 Plus I moved the older version DD-18 and my HT's Earthquake Nova 15 in the corner areas. I ran the Velodyne Auto EQ then balanced the gain on the Nova. The bass array literally eliminated all the rooms standing waves.  

Today I use just the two DD Plus positioned crawl determined room bass modes and no treatments leaving me with a single standing wave within unused corner of the room. Both the SVS and the Rythmik offer different but very useful equalization that may surprise you. All the best with your outcome. 

In the past I have used different brands of subs at the same time with pretty good outcomes. For my room 3 subs are the magical number and right now I am using all SVS but different models. An SB2000 pro, a SB4000 and a PC4000. I cross them over at different levels to cancel modes and have the added benefit of 1 app on my phone. This works really well for me.

Hey @bobbydd 

Sorry if this is going off topic but I wanted to ask about your experience with the REL 6packs as I've been considering going that way for my own setup.

Broadly speaking I've heard good things about them but haven't heard one myself. Wondering if you can share a bit more about your experience with the Carbon Special / 31 six packs?