Using small stereo speakers with a subwoofer

I use a sub to even out room resonances which often occur in mid-bass region where most monitors start out. If you hear thicker than normal male voices on a standmounter thats often whats going on.

There's probably no way for me to be emphatic about this without coming off as just a kook (which anyone could argue I am, but that's beside the point!). But, I have been kicking around the new-speaker can myself lately. My current 3-way towers border on either not needing, or could likely benefit from, getting a sub for them - depending on my mood at the time. But, I knew I had other sonic reasons on my hands than that to consider new speaks - better soundstaging, microdynamics and resolution among them. They've been good to me for 25 years, but I feel the time to move on has come. So, I started with other floorstanders around $2-2.5k. Lots of contenders around, but none of them appeared to jump out at me. What to do? Can't jump higher than that price range and buying used has its problems, for me. Somehow or other I came across mention of an unknown (to me) speaker brand called Wavetouch Audio. They make these dinky, but fairly affordable little speakers called the Grand Tetons that use a new twist on waveguide technology (see site). But, they are said to image not just well, or well for the money, but flat out good regardless of price. But, they also are said to have unusual amounts of both macro and microdynamics, resolution in spades, musicality and, in particular here, bass response to 40hz and even usable output at 20hz - despite using only one (very dynamic, apparently) 5.25" wooofer per 12"-tall x 7.5"-wide x 9.5"-deep cabinet...! By those who've heard them, they're even described as having a good amount of slam. Will they give you room-shaking bass? Almost certainly not, but I imagine you might stand a very good chance of integrating your Vandy with them. Retail is $2500, but they are generally sold from the site much below that, these days at $1500 a pair. Due to their waveguides they cannot be made to have grills and, well, let's just say their looks are something only a mother could love. Their only real caveat is that they might be a little picky about what you feed them (very revealing Heil AMT tweeter + waveguide), so if you have a tube amp (or SS that tends to mimic tubes) then you may be in a good position to consider them (see reviews on site). I have no relationship with Wavetouch and have not yet heard them for myself, although I suspect I'll probably be pulling the trigger on them once I can afford them. Shipping is free, but he does offer to cover the cost of return shipping if you don't like them (have not seen too many audio companies offer that!). Don't mean to submit a commercial or jack the thread or anything, but when I read your OP I thought of them immediately as possibly being a piece to your puzzle. Regards. John

Update: Sorry, I forgot to mention it, but, if you can, find out the crossover point of the Vandy along with the NHT's roll-off point, then you can have some basis for generally predicting success with bass-integration. But, moving the Vandy around the room a bit to find the best integration spot without knowing the above will only go so far if there is a noticeable mismatch between the monitor's roll off and the sub's fixed crossover point. Alternatively, if the Vandy's crossover can in some way be defeated you could consider using an outboard variable crossover of some kind instead. Apart from that, you may likely need to consider getting a new sub (whether NHT's or otherwise) and selling your existing one, but a sub with a variable crossover point may be the best investment in the long run.

Also, the phase control with most subs is usually a 2-position switch (0 and 180 degrees) or sometimes a fully variable knob that will allow you to contour the subwoofer's phase with that of the monitor's simply by ear. Easy enough to learn how to do by listening as you adjust the control, usually that part does not have to be done from the listening position and can be done while standing at the sub's control. In the case of the switch, use whichever setting sounds better to you for your sub's location.

Ivan,
You just wrote a huge response selling the idea of wavetouch speakers, talking about how great they are, and then you say you haven't even heard them...really dude?