Sub - Why didn't I do this sooner

[AlexGSi2000]

Just wanted to create a post regarding my mediocre audio setup.

My setup is fairly minimal and has done me well since I purchased in 2008, it consists of a Cambridge Audio Azure 340a and a pair of Morduant Short 902i.
I run an old Technics SL-1310 as well as the TV through it and its always felt adequate.

That was until I came across a nearby listing on ebay for an old Yamaha YST-SW320 and had an offer accepted.

My word - I can't believe I have done without, its added a whole new dimension - I thought my Morduant Short speakers managed to get fairly low.

[Paul Drawmer]

Well, my set up is less extravagant.
Denon AV amp driving a pair of MS10 bookshelf speakers. It sounded OK to me.

Then on a whim, I bought an elderly REL 'Quake' sub. Required careful set up, but an amazing transformation. Not just music, but movie FX are fantastic!

The house manager is not interested in large speakers, but she's OK with this.

[AC43]

I've got subs on everything; a 5.1 set up in the front room, 2 x soundbar/sub combos on the smaller TVs, a sub on my main sound system and another on the smaller one in the master bedroom. I also added one to the car set up a couple of years ago. Love hearing the fuller sound be it for music, TV or films.

[toon10]

I hear you. I have a main setup with floor standers but decided to build up a budget second system for my garage conversion room. I upgraded my main setup with a Naim Nova so had an old and cheap Yamaha RN-602 amp/streamer left over. I added a pair of 35 year old Tannoy Profile 632 speakers from when I was a teenager which were up in the loft. I then bought a Cambridge Audio CD player on eBay and moved my turntable and phono amp. The system sounded OK but a bit flat. The Tannoys were never the best in the first place. I'd been looking at upgrading them but was persuaded into a buying a sub on a Peter Tyson deal which was cheaper than buying speakers.

Wow. It's the most transformational bit of hi-fi kit I've ever bought. Just an SVS 1000 Pro but the difference is night and day. I'd estimate that it's improved the sound, dynamics and musical enjoyment of the setup by 50%. I actually enjoy listening to it more than my more expensive main system now. Ok, the soundstage and imaging is better on that but in terms of pure enjoyment, I'd take the 2.1 setup. I did try the sub on my main setup and it did improve things but my monitor audio's dig deeper anyway so I'd say it was more like a 10% improvement on that.

[AC43]

toon10 said:

I hear you. I have a main setup with floor standers but decided to build up a budget second system for my garage conversion room. I upgraded my main setup with a Naim Nova so had an old and cheap Yamaha RN-602 amp/streamer left over. I added a pair of 35 year old Tannoy Profile 632 speakers from when I was a teenager which were up in the loft. I then bought a Cambridge Audio CD player on eBay and moved my turntable and phono amp. The system sounded OK but a bit flat. The Tannoys were never the best in the first place. I'd been looking at upgrading them but was persuaded into a buying a sub on a Peter Tyson deal which was cheaper than buying speakers.

Wow. It's the most transformational bit of hi-fi kit I've ever bought. Just an SVS 1000 Pro but the difference is night and day. I'd estimate that it's improved the sound, dynamics and musical enjoyment of the setup by 50%. I actually enjoy listening to it more than my more expensive main system now. Ok, the soundstage and imaging is better on that but in terms of pure enjoyment, I'd take the 2.1 setup. I did try the sub on my main setup and it did improve things but my monitor audio's dig deeper anyway so I'd say it was more like a 10% improvement on that.

Which Monitor Audios have you got? I went for Golds but the Head of Decor insisted that I bought the bookshelf version and not the floor standers. I said that was fine as long as I could add a sub. It works well. The speakers are on stands but are still reasonably discrete. The sub's hidden behind a chair. Everyone wins.

ETA I got into subs as I was intrigued as to how sound systems in top end bars could sound so powerful and yet not have speaker stacks on view. The answer was, of course subs. To a lesser extent, cinema set ups - as in I very rarely go to see a film but, again, they have big subs hidden away that can shift a LOT of air. That set me off on my one man sub quest :-)

Edited by AC43 on Tuesday 6th January 10:17

[MC Bodge]

AC43 said:

I've got subs on everything; a 5.1 set up in the front room, 2 x soundbar/sub combos on the smaller TVs, a sub on my main sound system and another on the smaller one in the master bedroom. I also added one to the car set up a couple of years ago. Love hearing the fuller sound be it for music, TV or films.

Same here. 2.1s all over the house (and garage). Under-seat subs in the cars.

[toon10]

AC43 said:

Which Monitor Audios have you got? I went for Golds but the Head of Decor insisted that I bought the bookshelf version and not the floor standers. I said that was fine as long as I could add a sub. It works well. The speakers are on stands but are still reasonably discrete. The sub's hidden behind a chair. Everyone wins.

I just have the silver 6's. They sounded great with the Yamaha but I suspect I'd get more out of an upgrade with the Nova. I've not heard the golds but they have a great reputation. If I were to build again, I'd probably go with the bookshelf's and a sub over floor-standers. Having a dedicated sub taking care of the low frequencies really frees up the mid and treble on the speakers.

[AC43]

toon10 said:

AC43 said:

Which Monitor Audios have you got? I went for Golds but the Head of Decor insisted that I bought the bookshelf version and not the floor standers. I said that was fine as long as I could add a sub. It works well. The speakers are on stands but are still reasonably discrete. The sub's hidden behind a chair. Everyone wins.

I just have the silver 6's. They sounded great with the Yamaha but I suspect I'd get more out of an upgrade with the Nova. I've not heard the golds but they have a great reputation. If I were to build again, I'd probably go with the bookshelf's and a sub over floor-standers. Having a dedicated sub taking care of the low frequencies really frees up the mid and treble on the speakers.

Yeah I like having the book shelves + a dedicated sub. I have a mate who works in music and so has to listen to everything on studio monitors. He likes the slightly bass heavy way I have mine set up - it's easy to adjust the bias by just reaching round the back of the sub :-)

[AC43]

Paul Drawmer said:

That's neat - it actually took me a while to locate the speakers & sub.

In the last 20 years there's been a big move to things like tiny AV speakers, Sonos systems with ceiling speakers etc etc.

But the laws of physics mean there's still no substitute for decent-sized magnets and cones.......

[PT1984]

I can only agree to all the above.

[Digger]

In chronological order...

REL Q200E
REL Storm III
SVS 25-31 PC Plus
SVS PB12 Plus
Paradigm Seismic 110 (current)

Might sell the above & replace with either a diminutive SVS 3000 Micro or a REL Tzero MKIII due to limited space & neighbourly-appeasement requirements



Subs are great, as attested to with the above posts

[AC43]

Digger said:

In chronological order...

REL Q200E
REL Storm III
SVS 25-31 PC Plus
SVS PB12 Plus
Paradigm Seismic 110 (current)

Might sell the above & replace with either a diminutive SVS 3000 Micro or a REL Tzero MKIII due to limited space & neighbourly-appeasement requirements

Subs are great, as attested to with the above posts

I went to bed last night and Cost Centre 1 was watching something LOUD on the soundbar/sub combo in the back room (Yamaha YSP 2700) and Cost Centre 2 was watching something LOUD on the 5.1 system in the front room. Detached houses are great for that.

When I retire/move/downsize I'll no doubt end up in a terrrace/end of terrace/semi and will have to rein it right in.......

[Frane Selak]

I need a new sub, I've got a 5.1 system (well 5.0 currently) that's about 10 years old or more now, Tannoy speakers and a Yamaha amp. Paid about £400 from richer sounds at the time.

The sub though started rumbling even when the system wasn't switched on, it sounded like it was thundering outside and apparently it was a common problem, I did try fixing it but ended up blowing it up altogether so it went in the bin.

I would like to replace it and I'm happy to go second hand, its a mains powered active sub but I liked it as it had lots of controls on it so I could make it so it didn't shake the house to bits. There are loads on ebay but not sure what to get, would like to pay around £50-£100 really.

Edit, just found the specs of my original sub :-

Power output 100 Watts
Frequency response (-6dB) 45Hz - 140Hz
Driver 200mm (8.00”) paper cone
Dimensions H x W x D 345 x 250 x 370 mm (13.58 x 9.84 x 14.57”)

Edited by Frane Selak on Saturday 10th January 11:51

[Oilchange]

From a stack of separates I had in the 90s I have only kept my little Technics Amp and added a slightly less ancient cd player and some modern speakers but as with the OP I added a sub (or two) and the sound is phenomenal!
It wasn't easy to set up, couldn't understand why at first, but once plugged in it seems to shake whole house.
Which is pleasing.



The subs are a MinX201 and a REL thingy

[Digger]

Oilchange said:

The subs are a MinX201 and a REL thingy

Is that REL thingy by any chance a T Zero Mk III ?

If it is I'd be interested if you ever think of getting rid?

[Oilchange]

I believe it is, I can't remember honestly but it certainly looks like it. I bought it in 2020 after returning from a rather stressfull 9 months contracting.

I rather like the fact I have 2 subs attached so not up to sell unfortunately.



I am curious if anyone runs two subs and what tips I can use to maximise performance. Or even whether it's worth running two at all...

Edited by Oilchange on Saturday 10th January 17:29