Sub is secondary for good bass?

Early B.

Home Theater magazine's most recent edition did an extensive two-part analysis of 8 mid to high end subwoofers. Here's part of the conclusion --

First, the author says you gotta understand how bass is influenced by the following:

1. The room your sub is in
2. Where you place the sub in that room
3. Where you choose to sit
4. What furnishings and acoustic treatments surround you
5. What equalization you apply

"TAKEN INDIVIDUALLY, EACH OF THE ABOVE FACTORS INFLUENCES BASS QUALITY TO A GREATER PERCEPTIBLE DEGREE THAN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ANY TWO SUBWOOFERS.... TAKEN AS A GROUP, THESE FACTORS OVERWHELM THE DIFFERENCES YOU'LL HEAR BETWEEN SUBWOOFERS IN A GIVEN PRICE RANGE."

Sounds to me like the author is saying if you don't learn to manage the 5 issues indicated above, even a $1 million sub that goes down to 1 hz isn't going to sound that good.

Any comments?
What is this "equalization" all about?

VR3

Piss Poor Planning Equals Piss Poor Performance!

Equiliaztion -- Like a EQ, to make the bass louder in some spots, etc etc etc

Tour2ma

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
Equiliaztion -- Like a EQ, to make the bass louder in some spots, etc etc etc

Ummmmmmm... no, not in this case.

Here Eq means signal equalization, boosting or cutting cetain bass frequencies to overcome room effects (cancelation and reinforcement) and/ or smooth out a given sub's anechoic performance. Many current AVR's and pre/pro's have this capability...

Early, one key qualifier in the article's statement needs to be taken into account:

IN A GIVEN PRICE RANGE

It's also been pointed out 'round here that SVS, which does no advertising outside of the classifieds, was not invited to this shoot out.

That said, all the other factors they list are important to maximizing your enjoyment of any sub, though I'd maintain that their list is not in order of importance...

Early B.

I think the author said "in any given price range" because his study examined subs in a particular price range. He didn't review cheap subs or very expensive ones, so he had to throw in that qualifier. Even the almighty SVS, if poorly placed, etc. may not outperform a much cheaper sub where the listener applied the proper bass management techniques.

Tour2ma -- don't leave us hanging... What order of importance would you place on these factors?

Also, the author said the use of two good subs of the same model are typically better than one great sub. Does anyone have two subs and does it make a significant difference? Where are they placed relative to your sitting position?

Tour2ma

Early B... suspense will end momentarily...

Sid, reading what you wrote in the light of day, I relaized you may have meant "certain frequencies" when you said "spots", but wasn't very clear. Last night I read "spots" as "listening locations in the room"... At 03:42, I think I was seeing spots...

1. The room your sub is in
2. Where you place the sub in that room
3. Where you choose to sit
4. What furnishings and acoustic treatments surround you
5. What equalization you apply

First let me qualify by satying that I am referring to true, deep bass here... Not 120 Hz, or 100, or even 80, but down where the demons grumble at 60, 40 and even 20 Hz...

I'd rank them 1 - 2/3 - 5 - 4

#1 is damn near all encompassing. Room volume is the first consideration. And even in this openings and adjacent space has to be considered. It's going to determine how much sub you need. A 202 might yield some satisfaction in a 12 x 12 x 8, but will get lost in a 24 x 20 x 10.
Room geometry/ layout is next... typical smooth, parallel surfaces in play or are there irregularities to disperse reflected bass? glass? Ground or 2nd floor? Corner(s) available? ... and more...

#2/3 are joined at the hip in my view. They are not independant variables and it's their linkage that lead to compromises. Also are you optimizing one spot or trying to let four viewers share in maximum delight? If you only focus on your personal sweet spot, don't be surprised when your co-worker is less than completely impressed sitting in position "B"...

#5 follows because it's the only economical method of taming unruly bass once 2/3 is "optimised" for a given room (price tube traps and see what I mean)... Forget carpet, drapes, furniture.... Deep bass is virtually unkillable, so you have to nip it in the bud...

#4 is a "when all else fails" expenditure... and "furniture" isn't a likely solution.

On your two sub question, a number of folks here double up, some by design, some just on a path from one unfulfilling sub to better bass. Some use dsifferent models and even different manufactuers. Many dual sub owners co-locate (stack) subs as it tends to make bass management more... er... manageable... Others place them L/R, F/R, etc.

Also note that the more powerful subs in the SVS line employ multiple drivers in one box...

gidrah

I'd say that the 5 points are mandatory for any bass freak. Even for anybody that wants to optimize what they have. I would also say that these factors should be determined prior to going shopping and hopefully doing any in home demo's.

Some subs do subsonic better, some subs do SPL better, some subs don't do 70 Hz very well, some subs sound worse on hard-wood floors, etc. Throw in musical tastes, WAF, room placement, etc. and there's much more to consider than brand, price, and specs.