On subs and EQs

[OldiesButGoodies]

Yesterday I commented to SD that "subs help,  roll them over low and keep the volume down for music, etc.",  following Tom's credo that 'opinions are like assholes'.  I want to qualify that opinion a bit here.  If your listening room is on the small side and you can get away without a sub,  it is probably best to try to do that.  At least that is what I experienced in my previous room.

In a larger room you may always benefit from a sub(s) to help the mains out.    In my basement it is tough to ask the Maggies to handle the bass by themselves.  They cannot move that much air at the low end.

In my case I also use an EQ - which is considered taboo in many circles. Once in my other house I invited Tom over to help me tune a setup and I saw him use the eq.  He makes subtle adjustments per band - the slider is barely off center.  But the difference i can make is very nice.  Once you get it how you want it you can throw the EQ behind the rack if it embarrasses your finer audiophile presence.

OBG

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

Screw taboo.   Use your ears.

rgpit uses a sub with his Harbeths and it sounds AMAZING.

[papabearjew]

I have a Soundcraftsman RP2215-R that I would like to hook up but it would be too complicated with my set-up. I use a Russound TMS-3 tape deck selector on tape loop 1. It accepts up to 3 tape decks so I have my 3 RTR decks connected to it. Then I use a TMS-2 on tape loop 2 as it accepts up to 5 tape decks and I have 4 cassette decks hooked up to it. Yeah, their part numbers don't seem to make sense but they are simply numbered in chronological order based on mfg. date. These are extremely flexible. I bought the 5 deck unit brand new back in the 70s and I bought the 3 deck unit in great shape on ebay a while ago. The 5 unit one even has buss connections for daisy chaining them. Haven't been able to find another one so I bought the 3 unit one. No problem since my pre-amp has two tape loops. Only problem is there is really no good way to hook up the EQ and have ir work on all decks. Unfortunately my pre-amp doesn't have a processor loop. Any suggestions?  If anyone wants more info about these awesome tape deck selectors just let me know. It's a shame they're not made anymore.

[OldiesButGoodies]

hmmm  5 tape loops...

this is an interesting idea - could have 5 decks connected at the same time and compare them easily...  oh oh

[MacGeek]

Try running the pre out though the EQ and then to the power amp, rather than in a tape or processor loop.

[SunnyDaze]

My issue with subwoofers has nothing to do with filling in the bottom end, room compensation, or any other supplemental low frequency embellishment.

The reason I don't like subwoofers is because I can never just leave well enough alone. No matter now many times I make a fine adjustment on the phase dial, volume dial, or sub(s) location(s), I analytically pick the sound apart to the point where the music becomes a test vehicle for integrating the sub. It just so happens that I do the same with with equalizers.

That being said, I find that I get the most joy from my systems when I put on a good record, cd, or tape, sit back, and enjoy the music devoid of what a subwoofer would have to offer. In addition, I find that I like hearing speakers for what they are and appreciating them and the music that they are able to produce. If they can't hit the the mid 20's down low, so be it.

A possible source of bias: All three pairs of speakers that I'm currently running have no trouble dipping into the 20's on the bottom end.

[Slim-Shaddy]

My issue with subwoofers has nothing to do with filling in the bottom end, room compensation, or any other supplemental low frequency embellishment.

The reason I don't like subwoofers is because I can never just leave well enough alone. No matter now many times I make a fine adjustment on the phase dial, volume dial, or sub(s) location(s), I analytically pick the sound apart to the point where the music becomes a test vehicle for integrating the sub. It just so happens that I do the same with with equalizers.

That being said, I find that I get the most joy from my systems when I put on a good record, cd, or tape, sit back, and enjoy the music devoid of what a subwoofer would have to offer. In addition, I find that I like hearing speakers for what they are and appreciating them and the music that they are able to produce. If they can't hit the the mid 20's down low, so be it.

A possible source of bias: All three pairs of speakers that I'm currently running have no trouble dipping into the 20's on the bottom end.

+1

[GraphicFX]

I run 3 velodyne f1200's; a left, a right and a stereo.  I run my mains at full range to keep the integrity of the source. I keep them barely above idle and they are crossed over at 40hz.  At this setting, they are barely noticable. The sheer air movement however is a very visceral experience.  I do recommend a sub or three only to extend the bottom end

My 2 cents for what it's worth.

[ataudio]

I have a love/hate relationship with subs.  I have only owned a handful...HSU, Velodyne, Vandersteen and even a custom designed DIY job with a concrete enclosure powered by a PS Audio amp.

Over all...just my personal opinion...I would rather spend the money on a better set of
main speakers.  I'm talking 2 channel audio. Not home theater....there a sub is a must.
The Vandersteen my easiest to integrate.  The rest were sort of what SD was explaining....always fiddling.  If I were to get a sub now I would want one with a remote
so I could tweak from the listening position. 

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

I've never used a sub with two channel audio (unless you count computer speakers).

[Sir Thrift-a-Lot]

...but again, rgpit' system sounds tremendous.