Sub for my hi-fi or save up for a speaker upgrade?

oh comeon, I help out when you have a problem 

Hi Shafin,

It's weird, but 'subs in hifi' threads seem to render the forum incommunicado!

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/im-going-active-21

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/music-hifi-subwoofer-needed

http://www.whathifi.com/forum/hi-fi/need-help-with-subwoofer-setup-for-hifi

etc.

Still, I hope you're lucky (I might learn something, too  )

Erik

 

I have been using a subwoofer for 2ch for some time. To me, in many ways, its an ideal solution. It allows the best aspects of standmounts (other than ultimate power handling) such as imaging and tight sound whilst giving adjustability and flexibility which you may not have by using a large speaker cabinet which can have their own problems.

Can't really help with which one to buy as mine is not made anymore but it is probably fair to say that huge power ratings dont necesseraly make a good musical subwoofter. Mine is sealed which probably makes it less efficient but the flip side is its nicely tight, fast and integrates well. I have used it with floorstanders to good effect too.

 

regards

This is pretty much my experience too. I can't recommend a sub because mine isn't available outside of Japan, but it was a very cheap sealed sub made for music.

Sorry duplicate.

Mornin' there!

This depends.

- How long will it be till you get the ANs

- If you get the sub, how much longer will it add to this time

- How much do you really miss the extra bass

- Are you prepared to compromise with a cheap sub (or it'll take too much of your speaker budget)

- Realize that it takes time and care to get seamless integration

 

The bigger AN speakers, because of the way they work using the hole room as "part of the speaker", give remarkable bass...and certainly the ones I heard appeared to go lower than my Kefs. This means that a sub "should" not be necessary once you get them.

If you really feel it will be some time before you them and miss the scale, I would look at getting a small, economical sealed sub like the Gemini, or perhaps the XLS 200: http://www.bkelec.com/hifi/sub_woofers.htm

A lot of people have a high regard for BK Electronics and they certainly have plenty of mag reviews.  Direct sales ensure that you wouldn't spend all your money but get big performance.  

 

But then you don't seem to be bothered to reply when people DO try to help you.  

Sub all the way.

 

I urge you to try the PV1D. Not heard it myself, but I do have a PV1 and if there are any audible improvements at all over the PV1, which I can't find fault with, the PV1D has gotta be a contender and worth pushing your budget for.  Failing that, you may be able to get a PV1 off eBay for a tidy saving.

I would without doubt put all the money towards speakers, that is not to say you cannot get good results with a sub in two channel but have suitable speakers is almost always the preference.

 

When suitably paired, well intergrated together and well set up in the room a pair of smaller speakers plus a sub can work wonders but it can also be very hard to get right. If it were a simple yes or no, choose one option scenerio simply getting the most suitable speakers is the wise move, no messing with x-overs and all the other issues that can come with trying to set them up together.

 

That said if you do want to investigate subs have a look at the BK range because for the value and qulaity they give you can almost try them out of curiousity, not only that but although they might not advertise the fact but because of distance selling laws you can always send it back for a refund. I own a BK XXLS400 and it is spot on, I used it for AV but also sometimes music too, I often turn it off depending on the genre. I crank it up a bit for films and the LFE for music I set it very low for a subtle underpinning of the bass. If you do want a sub look no furhter than BK.

Yikes, well I learned somethings but didn't really get recommendations out of them.

we are thinking along the same lines about the benefits of a sub then. I would prefer a sealed box too but they seem to be rarer nowadays. Just curious, what sub do you have?

Morning to you Cno, as I said it'll be atleast a good 3 years before I get the AN's. If I get a sub then it'll maybe delay the speaker purchase for another 6 months but atleast I won't go insane. To be honest I don't miss the extra bass that much when listening to jazz but only the occasional electro, but I want a setup thats good for all my music. I think I can live with a cheap sub, I think you know that I'm quite handy with placing things (mainly rubber, spikes and foam) so I think I can make the most out of a cheap sub....besides I won't be turning up the sub to huge levels so I'm actually looking for a fast sub which adds just a few ounces of extra punch than a sub in a boy racer's car. Never heard of bkelec before, have you had any encounters with them? 

MJ Pro 50 Mk1 (Ruark Vita)

regards

My apologies, there is a 5 hour time difference between Dhaka and London. I needed my sleep