Subwoofers - crazy upgrade!

@deep_333  Less distortion has a positive effect on ALL types of music at all volume levels.  The cone moves LESS. The gain is LESS. The result is a richer, cleaner, effortless bass.

@cdtd 

After reading this tread it took me back to a time when I was a disbeliever in the use of subwoofers. That would take me back 25 years. In those years my technical knowledge was limited until I decided to buy a new system at a local high-end audio shop in Walnut Creek, CA and was educated by the audio shop owner on the  why, what and how subwoofers benefit a two-channel audio system. He actually took the time to show the benefits with systems he had setup in the shop and went through the systems with and without subwoofers. The overall enhancement in all three levels of high frequency, midrange and bass was undeniable and the added sub-bass (for the tracks of music that could take me there) was next level listening. I’m an old bass guitar player and drummer in my youth, so I had a reference point to judge the essence of sound and sound quality. The subwoofer experience opened a new listening involvement with an added dimension to recorded music as, @spatialking said, “when a recording has material down there”. ie; in sub-bass.

I started with adding a single subwoofer to my system back then, later added a second one, same make and model…It doubled the dimensional oura in the room, particularly with tracks that went to sub-bass frequencies that just elongated bass notes in a way that (IMHO) only a subwoofer can take you.

In more recent years I’ve done the experiments talked about in this thread and have opinions, on some of the comments made in the but I will not comment on, instead I am simply sharing my experience, YMMV.

In recent years I’ve experimented with REL Subwoofers exclusively since I was introduced to the brand more than 10 years ago. I went back to using a single sub, a REL 305. It served me well until I decided to upgrade to using a pair of subs again using REL S/812’s. The S/812’s are far better subs than what I used in earlier years, but that wasn’t enough, I went to Southern California (SoCal) to a REL display and presentation at Upscale Audio and heard the REL Line Array Six-Pack, and I was off and running. I bought 4 more S/812’s and the tweaking began. A few weeks ago I went back to SoCal to attend T.H.E. Show in Costa Mesa, CA where I got the chance to compare the professional setup of another REL 6-Pack Line Array sub-system using the Carbon Specials in a larger room with REL’S John Hunter present again (he attended both events) and with REL representative Paul Magee who took us trough a litany of recorded music genres to showcase the REL Line Array system’s capabilities. But better than that he allowed the attendees to select tracks that they wanted to hear through the system. It was the best!! I went to T.H.E. Show primarily to compare my home setup to the pros setup and was pleasantly surprised that I had done a decent job of tuning my 6-Pack.

I bought the 6-pack in preparation for expanding my music room, which will increase by 3-fold and perhaps give the 6-pack more room to breath, although at mid volume, 40db on my pre-amp, they sound pretty darn good. I have one more test to make with a pair of new REL S/212 Black Label subs that I get at the end of this month. I will make a comparison between the 6-pack and the S/212’s. A part of my decision of which to keep in my system will be based on sound quality and delivery, the other factor will be aesthetics as the new room will not be a dedicated music room.

My system can be viewed here in My System.

As always, Enjoy the music!!

@gjfalls   Nice system!  You get it. Others don't know what they're missing.

Once you stack, you never go back,

Cheers

@gjfalls  I decided to buy a new system at a local high-end audio shop in Walnut Creek, CA and was educated by the audio shop owner on the  why, what and how subwoofers benefit a two-channel audio system.

Was that Stereo Unlimited on Locust in WC? I can't recall their name. This store was so beautifully arranged and decorated my wife actually enjoyed going there. His wife was extremely knowladgble and made this hobby relatable to women.

I recall he had a little Bob Carver Cube subwoofer tucked away and always on in the front half of the store. If there lurking here, I miss you and hope your well.    

@gdaddy1 

Thanks for your comment. Yes, the “Line Array” Sub System is unique in the way it can deliver a fully immersive sound experience that you actually have to hear for oneself. No amount of verbal descriptions comes close to experiencing it first hand.

The experience I had at T.H.E. Show was memorable!

I use a track of music that I take with me on CD or I ask to have it played through a streaming device when I visit high-end audio shops and want to test systems, primarily speakers and subs (the rest of my system is set)…It’s saxophonist and bass player Gerald Albright’s track, “New Beginnings” from the CD of the same name. Even if you hate contemporary jazz this track gives your speakers a workout in bass and sub-bass. Although Gerald Albright is also an accomplished bass guitar player, Bass-player Melvin Davis plays bass on the “New Beginnings” track and is excellent at taking it low with great syncopation and cord use…If your system is setup to receive it, this track delivers…

@ozzy 

Yes, subs can be weighty, I’m a 73 year old and no longer in my prime, so I called on my younger audiophile buddy to help me setup my sub-stack. You probably know this already, be mindful that your subs are stackable (some are not designed to be stacked). As REL’s John Hunter explained in his “6-Pack Line Array Sub-Stack video, stabilizing the stacked subs is a very important part of the setup. Subs vibrate which causes movement and the possibility of toppling. That would be a travesty!

Enjoy the music!!