One or Two Subs?

scubalab

I have been running an older Paradigm PSW1000 subwoofer in our HT for YEARS now. I believe it's nearly 20 years old. It's just ok. Boomy and such. Not sure of the specs, but I think it's a 12" sub with a 250W amp.

My question is, would running two smaller subs be an improvement? I have one Boston PV600 (10", 120W downfiring) subwoofer and another on the way (came with a package purchase). I know it'll likely come down to how it sounds to me, but was wondering others' thoughts.

Also, my AVR has only one Sub out. I believe, based on what I've read, that it should be fine to just use a splitter on the sub out and connect the two. I can place them in the front and rear of the room (centered), which should be ideal placement.

So, is it worth dumping the old Paradigm and keeping the two Bostons?

Lastly, would a single ED A2-300 subwoofer be better? There's one local for $300... The guy also has a Velodyne DLS 3750R for $275... seems high priced though...

Thanks in advance!

Mystery

Dump all and get something better like 12" Velodyne, HSU, SVS etc...
I have the Boston and it's good with small bookshelf only.

Inspector 24

Splitter will be fine.

Generally speaking twin subs will sound better, ie provide flatter response throughout the room, more spl and more headroom than a single higher quality sub.

Try the two Boston each placed 1/4 wall length away from the corners and see how that sounds. So assuming a 20' wall place them 5' away from the corners.

scubalab

Mystery wrote: »

Dump all and get something better like 12" Velodyne, HSU, SVS etc...
I have the Boston and it's good with small bookshelf only.

That's the ultimate plan! Just not in the budget this year...

scubalab

Inspector 24 wrote: »

Splitter will be fine.

Generally speaking twin subs will sound better, ie provide flatter response throughout the room, more spl and more headroom than a single higher quality sub.

Try the two Boston each placed 1/4 wall length away from the corners and see how that sounds. So assuming a 20' wall place them 5' away from the corners.

Will experiment with placement. This is likely a temporary situation until the budget allows a better sub (or two...). The room is about 10' wide and 20' deep. There is an 8'x8' bar at the right rear of the room and directly behind (and open through an archway) is a 14'x14' sunroom. So, although the space is only 10x20, there is additional 'air' space connected to it. I currently have the single sub behind the rear row of seating on the left side. It's between the theater room and sunroom... if that makes sense. Ultimate plan is to close off the sunroom with French doors and blackout curtains, but the bar will remain. Cubic feet will then be approximately 2000 CF including the bar.

Based on those dimensions, would it be best to put the subs on the front wall (10') approximately 2.5' from each corner? (Or did you mean along a side wall?) Or would it be better to center one on the front wall, and center one behind the rear row of seating?

Thanks again!

rpf65

In most rooms, placing one sub in the center front and the other in the center rear of the seating area will give the best result. I'm pretty sure he meant the wall where your front mains are when he gave the general rule of thumb for corner placement.

Face

rpf65 wrote: »

In most rooms, placing one sub in the center front and the other in the center rear of the seating area will give the best result. I'm pretty sure he meant the wall where your front mains are when he gave the general rule of thumb for corner placement.

Not true at all.

Aside from nearfield placement of subs(flanking or behind listener's seat), there is no generic "best" spot for subs. Nearfield will alleviate most of the peaks and nulls associated with bass reproduction in the average room. The only other way around this is multiple subs throughout the room. http://www.harman.com/EN-US/OurCompany/Innovation/Pages/WhitePapers.aspx

Inspector 24

scubalab wrote: »

Based on those dimensions, would it be best to put the subs on the front wall (10') approximately 2.5' from each corner? (Or did you mean along a side wall?) Or would it be better to center one on the front wall, and center one behind the rear row of seating?

Thanks again!

That is where I would start.

I would also do a sub crawl test. It gets more interesting with dual subs, but do some searches and reading. Lots of good info out there. Even a few YouTube vids.

scubalab

Will definitely play around with placement once I get the second sub. If I can get any improvements until I find some hidden money somewhere to upgrade subs, I'll be happy!

Thanks all for the tips and info... Now to google what "Nearfield" and "sub crawl test" mean...

Inspector 24

Got bored.

Here's a head start.

http://youtu.be/AV3oLLMgS-M
http://www.audioholics.com/home-theater-connection/crawling-for-bass-subwoofer-placement
http://forum.blu-ray.com/showthread.php?p=4191757 <- lotsa info here probably more than you need, but good reading n

scubalab

That's good stuff! Thank you... And now I 'know'!