What's in a sub?

bd1886

I'm new here and...just getting back into audio. HT is my first real "educational" foray back into audio since the 70's. My soul is therefore 2.1 centric (and the newer basic concepts are understood and appreciated) but experience has no substitute. I've put together an HT that is finally showing signs of true blending and my sub is the entry level PSW10. Looking around this place is showing that most of you guys are saying don't even bother with this one so...well...I bothered and for my enjoyment, it is fine. Room is 15x18 foot.

Over the years, I've been picking up speakers from thrift stores. Cerwin Vega,Polk,Lineaums from RCA and RS,Sansui,etc....and getting them in friends hands (plus stockpiling a few rears and bookshelves). Yesterday,while at work, my son set us up from 5.1 to 7.1 using what he figured as the best use for what we had and.....kid did NICE!!!! (I'm sure we'll grow from here but wow.) Without listing all the details as that is not needed here. Mid-range receiver,LS70's, CS10 center, PSW10 sub,ADS rears and RS Minimus 77 Pro's for sides (Di-Polar).

Being ignorant....and for the first time, I'm seeing "blending"? The whole room is one resonant chamber and nothing stands out until it's assigned task is called upon? (The only thing that my newb ears wish for is some added high detail with my LS70's.) Now to my questions:

What should my ears be listening for in a sub? (Things seem tight enough.)
What are the distinguishing traits of the different "families" of subs?

Thanks, Scott

Upstatemax

What you should be listening for in a sub is not only how low can it go, but how clean it can get down there and how loud.

I have a PSW10 also and I really don't use it at all. Only reason it's still around is I have a 1yr old that has her bedroom right above the HT system and I would still barely use a better sub.

I find the PSW10 is not that loud and it gets VERY muddy and breaks up with sustained/loud LFE.

I've compaired it to something like an Epik Legend and it's such a night and day difference. The Epik is louder, hits lower and is nice and tight. The Legend is also much faster, and that is great for music.

Syndil

That's a rather broad question, so rather than try and answer it myself, here's some good articles to get you started:

http://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers/43669-guide-subwoofers-part-i-characteristics-placement-adjustments.html

http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/subwoofer-placement-the-place-for-bass-part-1