2 channel with our without subs, how do you listen

afterburnt

I would prefer "pure direct" no subs but everything sounds better "straight" with the subs playing.

mikeyb128

In my 2 channel system, I go back and forth. My svs is connected via RCA pre outs on my benchmark. Direct pure as there is no eq. Sometimes subs sometimes not, I've got it blending so nicely right now you wouldn't even know it was there.

In my theater direct pure in 2 channel stereo, full range, both subs playing.

WagnerRC

I use 2 subs and can adjust up and down as needed. I vote for subs

teekay0007

No sub necessary with the SDA-1Cs. They sound more natural, to me, without.

BlueFox

I rarely turn my sub on in the HT, and it certainly will not be in the stereo.

mantis

I use 2 subs for everything I do including gaming, movies music etc. I see no reason not to use a sub/s as it completes the audio cycle. Why on earth would someone want to not hear everything that was recorded? It makes no sense to me.

gudnoyez

Both The upstairs and downstairs HT rigs subs are used, the 2 channel rig no sub necessary the 2.3tls have a good amount of bass, the 2B's are also not shy on the bass.

ZLTFUL

2 channel has a DSW-MicroPro2000. It just rounds out the lower octaves when I listen to music with that content.

Home theater may be a little overboard as I currently run 2 SVS cylinders in the living room HT and plan on running 4 Stereo Integrity 18s and 4 Infinity 12s in the home theater.

Inspector 24

Movies, Audessy on, subs on all the time. Audessy makes for a more balanced soundfield front to back and side to side for sound effects.

Music, it depends on my mood and the music. Sometimes they're off, sometimed they're turned up or down, some things sound better with Audessy on, most things are best Direct/Pure Direct.

Normally they just stay on as they blend so well I never hear a subwoofer playing, just musc.

afterburnt

mantis wrote: »

I use 2 subs for everything I do including gaming, movies music etc. I see no reason not to use a sub/s as it completes the audio cycle. Why on earth would someone want to not hear everything that was recorded? It makes no sense to me.

The 707's provide plenty of bass on their own but I guess I just dont like their sound anymore. They are fine in multi channel though.

honestaquarian

I have a pair of RT-55's that I upgraded to "i" status by changing the tweeters. Anyway I have a stereo sub, bi-amp setup in the bedroom system. The preamp outs(*NOT the sub outs*) from mt Integra DTM-40.4 (*NOT the DTC-40.4-which is a surround receiver*) are going to the inputs of a pair of plexiglas PSW-200's. The high pass outputs are then going to a Carver TFM-25 amp. So the amp in the Integra is driving the tweeters in the RT-55's and the Carver is driving the woofers. The subs handle the low bass. They are turned way down so as to not overload the small bedroom.

Emlyn

Years ago I used to think two channel direct was the way to go with a receiver for stereo listening. That changed with improved room correction and processing power built into more recent receivers. The music now just sounds more cohesive with the receiver doing the processing to adjust and blend speaker and subwoofer outputs to the room.

But, the best stereo music sound quality is still obtained for me with a dedicated two channel preamp system, no signal processing, and no subwoofer.

nooshinjohn

BlueFox wrote: »

I rarely turn my sub on in the HT, and it certainly will not be in the stereo.

My 1.2TL's are so good down low, I don't even own a sub. Nothing ruins a soundtrack quite like overpowered bass.

afterburnt

@nooshinjohn I have no complaints with HT, the setup is great for that. As for music I guess I will stick with running the subs, it makes the mains sound better in a way.

transchris

Subs all the way!!!

motorstereo

1.2tls driven with bridged Mcintosh mc2500's and actively crossed at 70hz with an 18'' sub. Going active but staying well below the sda crossover point has also had an unexpected side effect of increasing the overall clarity of the big polks and is easily noticeable at all volume levels.

cfrizz

2 subs for everything.

SCompRacer

Depends what I listen to. Two 12" sealed subs are connected and on at all times, but they only supplement the 25-35Hz range. Nothing wrong with my speakers, 25Hz - 20KHz (+/- 1.5db) and plenty of amp.

My listening area is open to the main level, 14' ceilings, so 10,000+ cubic feet. SVS and Rythmik both say I should actually have two 15" subs. Adjusted and placed properly, a good quality sub or two in a two channel system will not harm sound quality, at all.

I think the critera should be what music do you listen to for lowest frequency of instruments used and do a room sweep and see if your system is +- 3dB or lower in that frequency range. If it's several dB low or more, you are missing part of what you listen to.

mikeyb128

SCompRacer wrote: »

Depends what I listen to. Two 12" sealed subs are connected and on at all times, but they only supplement the 25-35Hz range. Nothing wrong with my speakers, 25Hz - 20KHz (+/- 1.5db) and plenty of amp.

My listening area is open to the main level, 14' ceilings, so 10,000+ cubic feet. SVS and Rythmik both say I should actually have two 15" subs. Adjusted and placed properly, a good quality sub or two in a two channel system will not harm sound quality, at all.

I think the critera should be what music do you listen to for lowest frequency of instruments used and do a room sweep and see if your system is +- 3dB or lower in that frequency range. If it's several dB low or more, you are missing part of what you listen to.

I have my sub blended so well with my mains, that you really only know its there by switching it off. It only supplements the lower frequency range as yours do.

BlueBirdMusic

Use my Infinity Servo 210 about half the time for two channel and 2B's. It's the sub I purchased with the SDA 2B's in my past life.

WLDock

BlueFox wrote: »

I rarely turn my sub on in the HT, and it certainly will not be in the stereo.

Ha! Fox...your system does not count. $30K , aluminum 190lbs each enclosures, two 10" bass drivers per side....powered by two $18K each 600 watt Pass monoblocks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Enough said!

I doubt anyone here would need subs with that setup. As the saying goes....we are not mad at you! LOL! If one did require subs...now we are talking $30K for two Magico S-Subs or $7.4K for two Fathoms or $30K for two Gothams, $10K-$30K for two,four, six REL Gibraltar G-1's, or some crazy custom setup, etc, etc$$$$.

Its all subjective and relative to the system and room at hand.

I'm sure the sub lovers would be fine without one if they could have a dedicated room with something like these full range monsters in it.







Well, one does not have to go that crazy....I'm sure there are some affordable almost full range....and even DIY designs that low end lovers would be happy with.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PIK-htho-8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZmschOZEDsk

Maybe someday I will finally build them? I do like a nice warm low end and some midbass kick!

recoveryone

2ch in the living room no sub, the Fluance SX's provided enough for mild to low listening

deronb1

Subs most of the time. My subs have different EQs that i can tweak to blend well with all types of music.

lightman1

No subs needed here. This is the first time I've used an open baffle set up. Four 15" woofer/mids. Bi-amped with electronic x-over and some room correction. Different speakers and different tastes. That's what makes this hobby fun.

SCompRacer

mikeyb128 wrote: »

I have my sub blended so well with my mains, that you really only know its there by switching it off. It only supplements the lower frequency range as yours do.

Most excellent! As it should be!

I've had forum folks over who have said I don't need subs. Until I stick Michael Murray plays Bach on The Great Organ at Methuen. Or Skrillex / Bangarang.

EDIT: Keeping it clean, it's for real...lol