You will find the title appropriate regarding these topics. I have the following:
Onkyo TX-SR705 receiver
Focal 7W4411 woofers, 7" diameter - 2 per cabinet
Audiom TLR tweeters - 1 per cabinet
The two speakers are located on either side of my 50' TV in a bookshelf setting in the den. The subwoofer will be placed on a shelf above them. I have the room for a nice size subwoofer.
I am 61 years old and use the system for only 2 things: listening to the TV and music, period. I do not have a HT system. My choice of music is Barry Manilow, Paul Anka, Queen, Phantom of the Opera type stuff. I am looking for the subwoofers that will offer the best reproduction of music. I don't need to break windows, but do want the availability of low base. I'm investigating the HSU VTF-2 MK 3, the Outlaw LFM-1 Plus and the Dayton RS1200K Kit, and would like to remain in that price range.
Your comments will be greatly appreciated, as I am mentally fatigued from Googling and speaking with company reps.
The thing that caught my attention is that you are going to place the sub on a shelf above the speakers. I imagine that you considered this already, but if not - consider the weight-bearing capability of that shelf. Some of those subs aren't lightweight.
I have medium sized 12" sub from eD.. and I think shipping weight was 118 pounds. Not only would I think a shelf mounted sub sound particularly poor, but I wouldn't feel safe with it up there! Have you considered other placement ideas? Why not up front with your speakers (on the floor) or maybe in a front corner? I think you would be dissapointed in the sound you would get out of just about any sub, sitting on a shelf.
Shortly after my posting I spoke with a company rep who told me I would probably be better off with no subwoofer at all than to place it on a shelf - which is 80" high. Unfortunately, my house is designed such that there is no other place it will fit. However, a technical rep from another company assured me that even though it wouldn't sound as good as having it on the floor, I would still have lots of bass.
If the shelf is strong enough as you stated, then their is no problem except for the fixed location you have to use the sub. Normally, people position a sub where it will have the most even frequency response and you seem to be stuck with a very limited position option. Now, one thing you need to do is to use a type of soft cushion between the subwoofer and shelf. This will prevent unwanted vibration from contacting the shelf and wall structure, which would likely cause unwanted coloration of the signal. A high grade medium stiff cushion foam of 3" would be sufficient. Forget the garbage you buy at the local fabric store. You usually have to order the high grade foams from specialty shops like www.foamonline.com and you would want a high grade foam like evlon, high resiliency, or very firm latex foam. Latex is the most durable and will last for decades. The cheap foam like you buy locally will be flattened in several weeks to months.
-Chris
The Following User Says Thank You to WmAx For This Useful Post:
Thanks, WmAx. I'll take your advise and order a quality foam. The location of the subwoofer may not allow the best sound quality, but I'm encouraged that it will significantly enhance the overall sound quality of my system. My speakers and receiver offer crystal clear sound, but I am quite surprised with the lack of bass.
Just some things to consider:
How will you deal with the power (AC) wire, and cable from your receiver to the sub?
Do you have an AC outlet near the shelf? Where will you hide the cables?
Thanks, WmAx. I'll take your advise and order a quality foam. The location of the subwoofer may not allow the best sound quality, but I'm encouraged that it will significantly enhance the overall sound quality of my system. My speakers and receiver offer crystal clear sound, but I am quite surprised with the lack of bass.
Don
I'm surprised by the lack of bass also. Those are good drivers. Who built and designed the cabinets? You should be able to achieve good output to 40 Hz in a 2.5 cu.ft cabinet, with a 4"diameter port, around seven and a half inches long.
Here is the alignment for two of those drivers.
Name: 7 W 4411
Type: Standard one-way driver
Company: Focal-JMlab
No. of Drivers = 2
Mounting = Standard
Wiring = Parallel
Fs = 39.5 Hz
Qms = 7
Vas = 33.9 liters
Cms = 0.885 mm/N
Mms = 18.33 g
Rms = 0.65 kg/s
Xmax = 5.5 mm
Sd = 165.1 sq.cm
Qes = 0.38
Re = 7.8 ohms
Le = 0.69 mH
Z = 8 ohms
BL = 9.67 Tm
Pe = 90 watts
Qts = 0.36
1-W SPL = 89.3 dB
-----------------------------------------
Box Properties
Name:
Type: Vented Box
Shape: Prism, square (optimum)
Vb = 2.439 cu.ft
Fb = 35.57 Hz
QL = 6.69
F3 = 41.46 Hz
Fill = minimal
No. of Vents = 1
Vent shape = round
Vent ends = one flush
Dv = 4 in
Lv = 7.417 in
Those drivers do have a step response with a slightly falling response below 200 Hz. This should be correctable in the crossover to the lower fill driver. However if this was not done, it might give you your perceived lack of bass. A sub will not correct this by the way. Also the drivers have a significant breakup mode at 1.8 K Hz which might also make the speakers sound bright and unbalanced if this was not notched out in the crossover.
However properly used you should be able to get superior results from those drivers.
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Marantz DV 9600 Oppo BD-83 Marantz AV 8003 Quad current dumping amps X 7 Direct TV HD 20 HD DVR Carter audio workstation RME Fireface 800 Fujitsu 50XHA40 Front left and right Carter dual transmission line studio monitors MK II. Center Carter coaxial transmission line center speaker Rear Carter NFM-1s Center backs Carter dual transmission line studio monitors MK I. My system: - http://mdcarter.smugmug.com/gallery/...27077317_Pufg7
Just some things to consider:
How will you deal with the power (AC) wire, and cable from your receiver to the sub?
Do you have an AC outlet near the shelf? Where will you hide the cables?
I had a outlet built into the wall above the shelf. The receiver will be situated next to the sub.
Moron
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