Need to match Small (8") Sub with Lsi7s?

NewHTguy

Could use a little advice. I've only used larger subs in the past. Been considering a Lsi7 office set-up for music only. While I'm not a bass head, Newegg has a nice deal on the Energy ESW-M8 sub ($280) and I thought it might be sufficiently musical and help fill in the bottom end. So my question is whether I should be concerned with timbre matching for a 8" sub and the Lsi7s. I'm guessing that the energy would be crossed over at 80 - 100 Hz. Any thoughts or opinions would be appreciated!

Dawgfish

I was running an earlier version of that sub in my two-channel setup with my LSiM703s. While it did a respectable job, I found the bass in it to be a little sloppy and muddy when compared to the level of detail the LSiMs were putting out. I have replaced it with an REL-205R (which uses a 10 inch woofer) and could not be happier. It is much more musical, tight, and detailed than the Energy sub. I am getting much more detail and definition with the lows with the REL. Of course the REL listed for about $1500 new, so it's really not a fair comparison. You can find some deals on the RELs for about $700-800 (Vann's has a special on them). Having owned a DSW PRO 400 in the past, I can tell you that it, the newer DSW PRO 440, or any of the DSW MicoPRO subs would be better subs to use with your LSi7s than the Energy sub. That is especially true with the MicroPros. If you do a little searching, you can find these subs for about the same range as the Energy sub listed above. If I were in your shoes, I would go with one of the Polk subs unless you really want to upgrade and pay a little more for one of the REL subs or something similiar. Oh yeah, in regards to the crossover settings, I had the best luck crossing both the Energy and REL sub at about 40-45 HZ with my 703s, but they dig a little deeper than the LSI7s. I would start in the 50-55 HZ range and adjust till you found the perfect integration point with the 7s. Hope this helps.

leroyjr1

Try a micropro 1000/2000.

cnh

+1,

I've demoed the MPro 1000 with my LSI-7s. And 'highly' recommend that sub, even two! They dig deep, they're fast and they match the musicality and integrated well with the LSI bookshelves. Try it you'll like it!

cnh

nwohlford

I use a MicroPro 1000 with my LSI7s and agree that they make a great match. The 2000 adds room optimizer which could make set up easier.

steveinaz

I doubt an 8" sub is going to fill in much, with most any bookshelf---is it worth it? I don't think so.

ctbarker32

Why not go a different root and try something off the beaten path?

Check out this review of Monoprice subs:

MonoPrice subwoofers: How low can they go?

The low price allows for regret free sampling.

-CB

NewHTguy

Thanks to everyone for their comments. I may have to rethink things a bit. It might be cheaper to spend the money on amplification and buy the Lsi9s, which probably go deep enough for music in a 10x12 office, at least for me. Or just go with the cheaper Micro 550. The ESW-M8 just caught my attention because of the small form factor and the good sale price. Certainly am not wedded to it.

Dawgfish, thanks for sharing your experience with the energy subs. I'd love to try a REL someday, read they're some of the most musical subs out there, but probably not in the budget for the office (already planning my strategy to convince the wife). Even the MP 1000 will be tough to justify because I'm not in the office that many hours per week. I'll just have to keep my eyes open for a deal.

steveinaz

Exactly. There's no such thing as a budget "musical" sub woofer---

codyc1ark

+1 on your idea to go with amp'd LSi9's, mine dig deep enough for 2 channel.

rebuy

What kind of offices do you guys work in that allow you to bring in subs and the like?

NewHTguy

It's a home office. Someday (just before I quit :biggrin: ) I should try bringing in a subwoofer to my work.

EndersShadow

rebuy wrote: »

What kind of offices do you guys work in that allow you to bring in subs and the like?

Hell personally I work in a cubicle at a Insurance company. Keep thinking I should grab my dad's old yamaha cr-240, purchase a couple decently cheap bookshelves (i.e. Dayton's or older Polk Monitors like the 5 JR's) and just bring them in and hook them up. A sub would be beyond overkill though lol....

jbooker82

Heck if it is a home offcice then you might as well turn it in to a music room, and add a lap top.

mantis

steveinaz wrote: »

Exactly. There's no such thing as a budget "musical" sub woofer---

I basically agree unless you think the Martin Logan entry level subs are considered "Budget" as they are extremely musical. I consider them a Budget woofer but some may think they are not.

The Lsi7's can stand on their own without a sub for the most part but I would never run bookshelf speakers for 2 channel without one. Building a nice on a budget office rig can be had if you shop used.
I would buy the LSi7's over the 9's as I feel they are a better sounding speakers.Then I would hunt for a Rel Q150E used. For power I would grab a used Rotel RX1050. I would get some bulk Audioquest Flx 14-2 or 14-4 and go biwire. A nice CD player or better Sonos ZP90 with maybe a external DAC in a DAC MAGIC. That would be my rig in your shoes.

Dawgfish

steveinaz wrote: »

I doubt an 8" sub is going to fill in much, with most any bookshelf---is it worth it? I don't think so.

I'm not trying to be a contrarian here, but the experience I've had with running an 8 inch sub and bookshelfs differs. I'm currently running LSiM703s which dig incredibly low for bookshelfs, certainly an appreciable bit lower than the LSi7s. Having said that, I have tried running them several times with the sub turned completely down and while it still sounds good, there are just things in the very low ranges that I was missing with the sub turned down. This is especially true if you are used to running large, full range towers like I was. I like my current setup with the 703s and sub as well as I did any of my full range towers.

inspiredsports

Post #15 nikhelg reported as spam for removal.

NewHTguy

One option I've been considering is to replace my Onk sr875 in the double duty system in the living room with something newer, but less robust. The AVR that is high on the list is the Onkyo RC370 which has pre-outs so that I can keep the Parasound running the LSi25s. I'm also planning on moving the Cambridge 740C from the living room (when the wife isn't looking) to the 2 channel. So the system would be

Onkyo SR875
Cambridge 740C
LSi7s
Subwoofer (maybe later)

Any opinions on the REL T3? Vanns has it for $399 and I've always wanted to try REL.