Bi-amp vs. subwoofer ??

wehavtwins

I need some advice... I have a pair of Polk LSi9s - which I love (in fact, they are the sixth pair of Polk speakers I've owned). They are hooked up to a NAD C372 amp w/ an Arcam CD192 CD player and a Dual CS5000 turntable. I love the sound of my system, but would like to "enhance" it if I could. I am wondering what would be better: bi-amping the speakers or should I invest in a subwoofer. I've been getting alot of conflicting advice as to which is better... help!!!!

tonyb

Sub will add another dimension and be more noticable.I would use a different amp though,but hey,if it works for ya.What amps are you considering to bi-amp with ?

pearsall001

Without a doubt, adding a quality sub will give you the best option & overall performance. The 9's are great on their own but will excel with the addition of a good sub. Comparing bi-amping to a sub is like comparing apples to oranges.

TECHNOKID

Bi-amping can worsen speakers performance if not done properly. Here some interesting reading when one is serious about proper calibration of such

http://sound.westhost.com/bi-amp.htm

However, this is something that can be done without extensive cost providing you already own a suitable amplifier to do the task. You try and if you like the set-up stays! If you do not like, you go back to your previous set-up. If you are looking at bass enhancement, it should easier to simply add a good subwoofer to your set-up.

Comparing bi-amping to a sub is like comparing apples to oranges.

+1

Cheers

TheMARPATNinja7

He's right, bi-amping will pretty much just make things a little louder and adding a sub will totally transform your listening experience. For a bassaholic like me, I can't believe that some people don't have subs. Forget the economic stimulus package, "The Basstimulus Package: A Car in Every Garage and a JL Gotham in Every Living Room."

comfortablycurt

Go for the sub...hands down. That's going to give you a much more noticeable improvement.

Spike111

Wehavtwins, get a sub. Mine blends in nicely with my LSi 9's. Gives them that extra low end punch, but I will say the LSi 9's have pretty good bass even thought they are a bookshelf size speaker.

lumpy

I am no guru, but I think that a sub would be the first choice.

if you want more staccato / tighter punch, or you want more detail at lower volumes - go with a matching amp to drive the lower end of the Lsi9's.

If you want fill that full sonic range down to 20hz the sub is the ticket. A powered sub would take a bit of the load off the amp that you currnetly have, and give you some of the same results as another amp.

Having said that - I have matching amps and a sub with my 9's. if I had to choose between which to take away (never), I would probably loose the sub.

Mike21

Go for the sub for all the reasons already posted.

What is your budget?

Bass_Pedal

I am going to do just what you are discussing, this week. I've been using a pair of 9's for about a year now. I've done the bi-amp thing a few times with a couple of different amps and hand varying degrees of success. Recently I tried bi-amping my Musical Fidelity A3cr on the highs and an Adcom GFA 555 on the lows and found it was harsh compared to the A3cr powering them alone. I suspect, because of the harsh nature of the Adcom amp. Unless I'm mistaken, when bi-amping the lsi9's the two woofers are powered by the amp designated to the low frequencies and only the tweeter is powered by the higher frequency amp. The vast majority of the work would then be done by the lower frequency amp, so if you have an amp that you like I would just use it to power the whole speaker. As for a sub, I haven't been using one but I am picking up an HSU VTF 3 mk 3 this week. From everything I have read it should make quite a bit of difference. I think going this way will be your best bet.

wehavtwins

It sure sounds like the sub is the way to go... I'm thinking of the DSW MicroPro 2000 - sticking with Polk. Price isn't a big concern - since the matching amp to my NAD C372 costs the same as the DSW sub.

I've got quite a history with this maker... My first pair of Polks was the Model 7s. Went to the '10s a year later, followed by the RAT12s then the SDA2s. Now I have the Lsi9s - to make the speakers seem less overwhelming in my listening room. Many of my friends are serious jazz musicians and they are always impressed with the sound of the 9s. I can just imagine what the 15s and 25s sound like...

Many thanks to all who responded. I'm relatively new to forums n' such, but it's sure fun!

Cheers,:)

organ

I'd have to say, go for the subwoofer. Get a high quality one for the LSi9. I have a pair and a sub can really enhance the sound.

Don't bi-amp unless you know the gain on both amps are identical.