Stereo mode, sub or not?

outlander

Just wondering how many of you with full size / full range speakers (front mains) in your HT setups don’t use the sub when you listen to stereo music. I love my PSW404 for movies but I think the system sounds better in two channel with the sub off. I was wondering if anyone else noticed the same thing.
O

steveinaz

I tried to integrate an SVS with my 2-channel system towers and didn't like the results. I like a clean bass line, and although I had some great response curves, the bass was still too plummy for me. I opted to sell the subwoofer and won't attempt that again...

gregure

I've actually found the opposite to be to my tastes. I prefer running my two-channel listening w/ my SVS as part of the mix. The Rti 10's sound superb w/ the B&K 507, but the SVS really adds an element that I have gotten to like.
W/ the 10's x'd over at 80Hz, I don't find rock to be too boomy, in fact the bass is powerful but tight and punchy, without being too boomy or overbearing.
American Idiot sounds great, as does the Led Zeppelin DVD. Again, the bass is full, but not too much. As a result, I now find running the 10's full output results in too little bass, at least in my house.
Additionally, I listen to a lot of classical, which really benefits from the sub, as the dynamic range is so much fuller and effective w/ a truly full range setup. Bass drums and string basses never sounded so full and resonant. And the score for Gladiator shakes the whole house, which it should with its very bass-heavy effects.

therealjeepguy

I used to feel the same way about two channel. I was striving for the purist sound coming from my RTi6 as front mains, but I would have to boost the bass gain on my receiver in order to attain the depth I was listening for and a 6 1/2" driver just doesn't fill the room. Don't get me wrong, they do sound great on their own, but in a smaller room perhaps. I was actually surprized at how deep they go. I earned a new respect for bookshelf speakers...well, at least these anyway.
Since then, I've intergrated my sub for two channel playback and I love it! I also have a PSW-404 and while it's not a bad sub at all, I do believe that one day I will bring myself to purchase an SVS or HSU based on the feedback I've received here as well as all the editorial reviews.

www.ecoustics.com has alot of editorial reviews from many resources. Check it out. I keep them in my favorites!!

ohskigod

my problem for my 2 channel was the basement. i have a listening area that opens into the rest of a very lrge basement. bass responce in that room is not the best. i got the SDA's to fill it, but the speaker itself looked like it was working way too hard to do so. Since it is a vintage speaker and getting a replacement driver could be a challenge, i opted to try a sub.

I tried my old modified PSW 505 but couldnt get it to sound right at all. I then found a phenomenal deal on a HSU stf-2. It was touted as a very musical sub, so i bought it to give it a whirl. Plopped it down, crossed it at 60 Hz and never looked back. gave my system just the subtle little oomph it needed. Took some of the stress of the SDA's, so they do what they do best, provide sweet sound, and leaving the lowest of bass responce to the sub.

for my listening area it works like a charm, but it might not work as well in other listening areas.

the key is to get the sub to reproduce the bass without it being readily apparent that you are using a sub, and i must say, unless i point out the sub itself, you would never know it is there.

steveinaz

If I did go back to a bookshelf or limited low frequency speaker, I might try a sub again, of course SVS. I just don't care for them with full range towers or anything that digs below 40Hz on its own.

TroyD

I think integrating a sub into a 2ch system is a lot more difficult than it sounds and that without a LOT of work, you are better off without it.

Of course, when you've got real full range speakers, why use a sub at all??

BDT

outlander

Maybe that’s my problem. You guys that like a sub in a two channel mode, are you running your sub off your mains or are you running the LFE out of your receiver to the LFE in on the sub? I’m using the LFE input on the sub but perhaps I should change over to running the sub off the mains. Talking to the folks at Polk they recommended sub out on the receiver to LFE in on the sub.
O

therealjeepguy

I have mine going to the LFE input on my sub. I have it, as well as my front mains crossed over at 60Hz through my receiver (Sony STR DA-4ES).

gregure

I also use the LFE sub out on my reciever. For one thing, the PB 10 does not have speaker wire inputs, for another, why add all the extra wires when one cable from receiver to sub is so much easier? With the sophistication of bass management in receivers, it makes things so easy to tweak to your particular tastes.

ohskigod

this probably wont help, but my 2 channel uses an older rotel pro logic preamp (which happens to sound great in 2 channel) it has a subwoofer output, which in itslef has a 80 hz low pass filter. the mains get full signal (i have no bass or treble boost, just flat) i then have the sub crossed over at about 50-60 hz, just to give some oomph in the lower frequencies. like i said, not very scientific, but with the HSU, it sounds great. with my other sub, the same set up sounded horrific.

sucks2beme

I run a pair of RTI6's with a Kef 30b sub in stereo mode for
my office setup upstairs. This sub brings the RTI6's to life.
The 30b is a small, fast sub that works great for music.
I only added the sub because i got it cheap, but it was
most likely the biggest bang for the buck i could of added to the system.

therealjeepguy

I would also like to point out, as it has been many times before in other posts, that when you run a sub you reduce the load on your receiver. This may help your receiver run cooler and more efficient as well as distribute a cleaner signal for mids 'n' highs!