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Just upgraded my speakers - do I still need the subs

I just purchased a used pair of KEF reference one Meta speakers to upgrade from my LS 50 Metas which I have paired with 2 KC 62 subwoofers. I am looking for some opinions on whether I need to keep the subs or whether I can go ahead and sell them along with my LS 50s.

fritzenheimer
highend64
323 posts
 

Yes, I would keep them for the time being and see wither or not it going to benefit from it. Unless you need funds for something else,  I would hold on to them if you end up needing them in an event you are changing speakers.

swaudiofan
48 posts
 

No need to sell.  Run the fabulous Reference 1 Metas and use the subs for just the very lowest frequencies given your room anomolies; likely 50 and below.  You do not want to infiltrate that soundstage with too high a crossover.  Your subs are fine.

simonmoon's avatar
simonmoon
641 posts
 

One aspect of having subs that is not often mentioned, is that there is a lot of ambient information carried in the lowest frequencies. This adds to the sense of scale and space. Low frequencies travel long distances and pass through barriers, providing information about distant musical events or the overall acoustic size of a space.

Now, mind you, this is most noticeable with classical music, where all the musicians were playing at the same time, in the same acoustic space, where the recording engineer endeavors to capture the natural soundstage and ambience of the acoustic space, and the musician’s position within it. 

Even floor standing speakers will benifit.

 

jrareform's avatar
jrareform
181 posts
 
@yyzsantabarbara how many positions did you try with your scenario?  Positioning / phase / crossover / gain are all super critical in calibrating your subwoofer in your system.  Also, are you using a high pass cutoff filter for your mains?  I have found that cutting off below 80 hz on my mains (even large towers, the tekton double impact) helps the frequencies all the way up the chain for two reasons I theorize: one, the mains no longer have to push low end content so the drivers are doing less work, two, the crossovers and amplifier are also doing less work because the lowest octaves are now being handed off to a purpose built speaker (the subwoofer or preferably subwoofers)

 

@fritzenheimer I think your answer is, try with both.  If you can use a cutoff frequency for your mains, that will take stress off your amplifier and your Kefs.  I found this does wonders for my system but YMMV.  If you find it's too much bass with the subs, try just adjusting the gain down or crossover so it's just filling out the bottom octave if your mains don't allow for high pass cutoff on the DAC or preamp.  Sounds like you're about to have a rockin system.  Don't get new subs unless you are finding the KC62s are not doing what you want

brianleewayson's avatar
brianleewayson
5 posts
 

If you listen to much Symphony, or Rock music consider keeping the subs.  Rock music in particular, has a prodiguous amount of bass and beats-per-minute.  Reproducing low/mid bass with the smaller woofer/midrange units may interfere with midrange reproduction.  Subs do tend to open-up the soundstage but may not be necessary for chamber music, jazz, Blues, etc.

 

I choose a cutoff of about 120 hz (48 db/octave) for Rock (my main speakers have 8" woofer/midrange drivers).  I can move a good bit of air while not unduly burdening my 8" woofer/midrange drivers.

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