I believe that anyone who thinks subs are unsuitable for music and should be confined to AV use simply hasn’t heard a HiFi system with a well integrated sub. Get it right, and everything just falls into place. Get it wrong, and yes you are better off with no sub bass than poor sub bass, and good integration is not easy.
I would say much the same about speakers generally. If they go deep they often excite room nodes and may give loose, flabby bass. Maybe you can correct this with room layout or room treatments, or maybe you can’t, in which case smaller speakers that just don’t reproduce those difficult low frequencies at all may be preferable. That always leaves me unsatisfied because part of the music that should be there is missing. Clearly that doesn’t bother some people - we are all different
Subs I think come into their own when the mains are actively crossed over to remove lower frequencies, and then give much more headroom. Only the UQ and Uniti2 have a selectable high pass filter in their amp output.
To be perfectly honest, my ProAc Response 1s bookshelf speakers don’t leave me wanting in any particular way, within my system. For the size of cabinet and drivers employed, they offer a very compelling presentation.
This query on the potential implementation of a subwoofer within both a home theatre and a hi-fi was prompted by the manufacturer marketing certain models as having the potential to work effectively within both setups - which is not something I’d ever considered. As I’m going to purchase a replacement sub, I was keen to hear of others experiences with similar situations.
For the record, I don’t want loads more bass for the sake of it - I’m not a bass-head by any means. I was genuinely wondering whether adding a good quality sub, could provide further bass; texture, depth, and overall quality.
Well, seeing as you’ve mentioned a manufacturer and haven’t been moderated - I’m guessing it’s OK? My current sub is a REL Quake, and I’m looking to replace it with a REL T/5x.
Couldn’t agree more on the setup microphone - exactly how I calibrated my Dolby Digital at home. It’s so effective because it will take into account; room size, shape, furniture, speakers - size and location. It’s a very reliable solution.
Good point! My existing REL is connected through an RCA cable from my receiver. But I’m wondering how the connection from my SN3 would work to the replacement sub - which will be a REL T/5x? I mean, I’ve not had a situation where my subwoofer has been connected to both home theatre and hi-fi.
In my view that is the case unless listening only to music that does not have bass extending below the rolloff point of the speakers. To me, by definition, a system is inadequate if it does not go undiminished down to at least 30 Hz.
That is not what a properly set up full range music system should do, satellites and sub(s) or full range main speakers: they should simply play the bass that is there in the music, and that is missing with speakers that roll off from 40, 50, 60, 70Hz or whatever, with which you only hear the harmonics not the fundamental of low notes.
It’s interesting to read the review in The Gramphone from 2012. The way I read it then it can be connected for both AV and stereo use. The review is positive, I guess that REL don’t carry stock of spares, but could it be that an independent repairer could source a replacement relay?
I fully understand your point here. I already have a home theatre setup that’s balanced throughout its presentation - exactly because it was calibrated correctly and has all speakers performing in harmonious concert. As you can see from my post, I am only considering the addition in the hope that it offers up; speed, texture, and bass quality that my bookshelf units wouldn’t be able to accommodate: no more, no less.
Indeed, as a British company and manufacturer, there’s limited options for me in California. I actually contacted the REL distributor here, in the hope they could service the unit. Alas, my luck wasn’t in on this occasion.
I have large full range speakers for my stereo listening and getting a matched sub and using an acoustic measuring program and microphone to integrate it has revolutionised my listening pleasure. I have a lovely Harman curve from approximately 16Hz on up in my listening spot. I can hear up to about 14,000Hz or so.
Having good bass foundation does wonders for everything else in the audible band. Other details in music have popped out that I never realised were there. I would never go back to a two speaker system. In fact, I may get another sub!!
That’s an incredibly useful insight. I’m seriously considering implementing my new replacement sub into both my home theatre and hi-fi system now - after calibrating properly, obviously.
