To Subs or not 2 Subs?

[Innocent_Bystander]

An argument for tone controls?

[Mark84]

Not in my experience. Easier. Much easier. Placement is way less critical.

[suneal]

Thanks and I should have mentioned I use the Isoacoustics on my focal Arias as well

[suneal]

Yes I have wondered the same thing… having had much older equipment in the past (40 year old vintage equipment) tone controls with a loudness option was very common.

[suneal]

Any thoughts on the SVS micro sub?

[Innocent_Bystander]

@suneal

loudness

Ah, now that is quite another matter! It is something I’ve offered my view on before - here’s one such post:

Low volume listening woes - new house, same system

I don’t know about soundstage but lack of bass at low volumes compared to normal or high volumes is a natural function of human hearing. That’s what the infamous old “loudness” function in cheap 70s and 80s amps was intended to be used for. Trouble is it was very crude, on or off, so other than at one loudness level too much or too little, and often misused. As I have expounded before, there would be great merit in having a sophisticated loudness control using DSP boosting bass and, though to …

[suneal]

Thanks for the feedback, we just moved outside of the city a year ago so finding reputable dealers close by will take some leg work. I am probably 40 minutes to an hour to a Rel dealer another 1.5 hours to a SVS dealer but it worth the trek!

[newcomer]

Hi there.

@suneal

Any thoughts on the SVS micro sub?

I haven’t heard it, but in the same technological evolutionary line as the KEF KC62, cheaper, and, depending on the space and the main speakers, a better option than the KEF.

At least that’s how Herb Reichert thinks in his review on Stereophile after having tested both with his Harbeth M30.2: “The 3000 Micro’s dual 8" cones have about 50% more woofer-cone area than the KEF KC62’s dual 6.5" cones: 50.3 square inches compared to 33.2 square inches for the KEFs… If I was a consumer instead of a reviewer, I’d probably buy this one (SVS 3000 Micro). Highly recommended.”

Personally I think I would also opt for the SVS, at least from my experience: complete control from the sofa via bluetooth with an unbeatable App, specialist in subs, guarantee and unbeatable after-sales service (certified from the USA to Spain)…

Listen to them and asses your needs and your pocket in the face of the bad times glimpsed ahead…

[budmoto]

I have two SVS SB1000 12" non-smart subs, one for each channel. Has made a remarkable difference.

[suneal]

Thank you to everyone on the forum for your feedback. I had a few messages bounce back as undelivered as we had an both a cell and internet outage that caused havoc for all of Friday and part of Saturday. . The effects on services were quite bizarre as services were going up and down for part of the day…we had Elton John and Dua Lipa on a constant loop from one of the streaming services for a good half hour.

[cayorob]

Anyone on here using BK electronics subs?

[MROX]

@newcomer

introducing a good quality sub is a no go back journey at a fraction the cost of a pair of quality floorstanders

My local Naim dealer told me the same and he highly recommended me the Rel (one and if possible two)
I guess a guy must hear…. (Or girl)

[feeling_zen]

The only problem I have with REL (apart from them not being available in my country) is the fact they have gone crazy with the logo. REL on the cone and REL on each of the feet (and big too). Bonkers awful design choice. You just need one logo.

[BBWan]

Think that’s aimed at one market in particular…

[ryder]

@feeling_zen

The only problem I have with REL (apart from them not being available in my country) is the fact they have gone crazy with the logo.

I don’t have issue with the logo as I thought the overall design and aesthetics of the REL are rather nice. A matter of preference I would say. My only issue with REL is the price. The REL S/510 I which bought costs twice the price of the SVS SB-3000, another great sub recommended by many who tried. My dealer recommended the REL and I took his advice after much deliberation. No regrets with the decision as the integration with the main speakers is seamless. The first successful implementation of a subwoofer in my system after more than 15 years! To be fair, the old sub was poor.

[feeling_zen]

The Jamo/Cerwin Vega market can’t afford REL.

[cayorob]

Hi budmoto, just out of interest are you using high level or the sub outs from your SN3?

[lum]

It seems there’s been a lot lof love for REL’s here, so I might be preaching to choir a bit, but adding a REL T9X to my system finally made it work the way I wanted it to.

I have full range speakers (PMC Twenty2.23i) that (by specs) go down to 28Hz, but adding a REL sub to the system still added a lot, especially the smoothness at low end that PMC (in my opinion) ware lacking. I have my REL connected high level and crossover set all the way down to 40-30Hz. Makes a world of difference

[budmoto]

I have an cable running from each speaker, approx 30cm to the right or left high level dependant on which channel the sub is supporting. So basically speaker cable from SN3 to speaker and shorter speaker cable to the subs, from the speaker.

Subs are situated between each speaker and the SN3, so to the inside of the speakers and approx 50cm from the wall, slightly forward of the loudspeaker drivers.

I’m constrained by what my wife will tolerate but it sounds just right to my ears, given the shortcomings of my room.

[Thegreatroberto]

If it helps, I added a Rel T5x to my PMC 21.26s and loved it.
When i mention this it turns a few heads, but yes it works. Subtley set mind.