PDA

View Full Version : Are subwoofers worth having?

hockeyshooter
07-02-2002, 15:36
I've got a pair of Tannoy Stratfords as my front speakers (that I've been using in my hifi for years). These have 8" bass drivers. I was wondering if it was worth me adding an active subwoofer to the setup. Would I really hear bass that I couldn't get through the Tannoys already?

I ask because the specs of some of the cheaper subwoofers seem to indicate a pretty pathetic low-end response - they claim a response down to something like 20 or even 15Hz but if you read the small print, that's 10db down.

I'm not prepared to spend more than £300.

Chris.
Neon
07-02-2002, 16:48
10dB down is not as bad as it looks - it sounds half as loud. Sounds around 20Hz and below tend to be felt, rather than heard. Even a modest subwoofer is able to produce "feelable" bass, but generally (as with everything) the more you pay, the better. I am not familiar with Tannoy Stratfords, but before I re-invested in my present setup, I had Wharfdale Glendales as my speakers, which have 10" bass units. I now have a PDR-10 sub (£150 from Richer) to accompany Mission M74's, M7DS's and M7C1 and trust me, I can feel the difference!
turbo
08-02-2002, 07:47
I have a set of kef q`s at the front & cresta 2 rears/centre.

I also bought a kef psw1000 sub at the same time. Whilst the sub does add an extra depth to decent movies, a lot of the time i dont bother using it, particually if im watching a film late at night.

One of my favourite demo dvd`s is heat, esp the scene where kilmer is on the roof with the gun & de-niro is meeting that bloke in the carpark in his car. Each shot kilmer fires results in an amazing bang/thud from the sub... well worth the money alone!
Tim_Bishop
08-02-2002, 08:09
Are you kidding? I wouldnt be without the sub. Try the T Rex attack in JP or the Toy Story 2 intro, fantastic.

I am running Epos ES12's for my main speakers and the Rel Q sub. OK, not a snip at around £500 but well worth that little bit extra for precise, deep meaningful bass. I bought mine through Audio Excellence, they have a demo room that you can truly set up to mirror your own kit and room layout to really try before you buy.
Greenstead
08-02-2002, 11:30
Definately. Get a Sub. Doesn't have to be an expensive one. Just get one.

Try the opening battle scene in Gladiator.

Our cat was impressed.
:D :clap:
robbiejm
08-02-2002, 11:35
Originally posted by hockeyshooter
I'm not prepared to spend more than £300.


For £300 (or less probably, as thats the RRP) you can get an MJ Acoustics Pro 50, which according to What Hi-Fi is 2nd only to the REL Q150E (£500).
koro
08-02-2002, 13:04
Have you considered building your own, I did and am well impressed with the results, not dificult to build just make sure you have a good driver and amplify it..

Have a look at this to get the size of enclosure you need, it`s the hardest part and the free program gives you the dimensions http://www.ajdesignsoftware.com/speaker/index.html
hockeyshooter
08-02-2002, 13:41
Originally posted by koro
Have you considered building your own, I did and am well impressed with the results, not dificult to build just make sure you have a good driver and amplify it..


Actually the one I currently use with my PC was hand build, but its not active and it has the wrong driver in it for the design of the box. Its a very efficient long folded horn design that's supposed to go down to something like 20Hz even though the driver is only about 5". The driver it was designed for (IIRC Audax, Maplin stock code YN25C, resonance a mere 44Hz) has a fibreglass cone but being a tight git at the time I bought a much cheaper paper jobby.

I could certainly make one myself but to be honest I don't think I can be arsed! :rolleyes:

Chris.
Psychic Cookie
08-02-2002, 13:50
Having a home cinema without a sub is a bit like marrying a beautiful woman and findng out on the wedding night she didn't have a pleasure hole - ie. shocking & dissapointing!

Get it sorted :)
john316
08-02-2002, 14:27
Originally posted by Psychic Cookie
Having a home cinema without a sub is a bit like marrying a beautiful woman and findng out on the wedding night she didn't have a pleasure hole - ie. shocking & dissapointing!

Personal experience there mate? :D
hockeyshooter
08-02-2002, 14:53
Originally posted by Psychic Cookie
Having a home cinema without a sub is a bit like marrying a beautiful woman ...

You're sounding like Swiss Tony. :D

http://freespace.virgin.net/n.kotabe/FASTSHOW/swiss.jpg

Chris.
Psychic Cookie
09-02-2002, 03:59
I'm saying nothing more except LMFAO :D
Pollywoggle
09-02-2002, 19:08
Not having a sub is a bit like not having a centre, ok so you can set "Phantom Centre" on the amp but it is never going to be as good.
Only high end main speakers probably costing 4 figures will be able to produce the low frequencies that you can actually feel and that will move objects in your room, (if you want). These frequencies are coded into the soundtrack so you need a sub to bring them out!