Dual subwoofers in home theater (bear with me)

[HarisH]

Dear audioholics,

Thank you for your continuing support and advice. I learned a lot from this forum. However I have stumbled upon a bit of a hiccup that I couldn't find the answer to.

I'm building a home theater (5.2.4) with Klipsch speakers (RP 600 M for mains and R41 M for the rest- surround and height channels), svs for subs(dual PB 2000) and finally a Denon AVR X 3600H. The setup will be used as follows : 50% listening to music in stereo, 25% gaming and 25% movies. Here is the thing that is giving me trouble. I would like the subs to be in stereo at least for music. While watching movies and gaming its not really important, I know that the avr (even tho it has 2 pre outs for subs) sends the same signal to both of them. However, I was wondering if it would be possible to set them up in a way that I get a stereo image on the subs as well. I know the frequencies sent to subs are mostly omni-directional and you cant pinpoint them, however I would like them to be an extension of the bookshelves one sub for the left channel and one for the right. I know this would easily be possible if I were to use a separate amp (this particular avr has pre outs for all channels) for the main front speakers and run the subs from there but then I lose the LFE channel in the setup. Since the avr has 2 pre outs for subwoofers is it possible to somehow set this up in the settings. I contacted Denon them-self however they didn't answer and I couldn't find the answer anywhere else.

Looking forward to your reply.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Hi!
So for starters, the 3600 has separate dual sub outs. Audyssey will measure each separately, set the distance for each and eq them both as one sub.

For stereo subs. Well it’s not really a thing. Almost ALL bass is recorded mono so even if you could set up a system as you’ve asked, you’d notice no difference. Tom noussaine did a really nice deep dive into the stereo sub thing a few years ago. It was very enlightening, and unfortunately I can’t find any of his work online anymore. Seems it was all purchased, or part of an estate thing I guess. Idk. In any case, I would let go of the idea.

 

[shadyJ]

I think it should be technically possible, by using the left and right pre-outs on the AVR. However, you lose bass management features by doing that. It really wouldn't be worth it.

 

[HarisH]

Hi!
So for starters, the 3600 has separate dual sub outs. Audyssey will measure each separately, set the distance for each and eq them both as one sub.

For stereo subs. Well it’s not really a thing. Almost ALL bass is recorded mono so even if you could set up a system as you’ve asked, you’d notice no difference. Tom noussaine did a really nice deep dive into the stereo sub thing a few years ago. It was very enlightening, and unfortunately I can’t find any of his work online anymore. Seems it was all purchased, or part of an estate thing I guess. Idk. In any case, I would let go of the idea.

Thank you very much for your swift response. "In most pop music, hip hop, and synthesized music you wouldn't notice. But in recording real instruments, it's not uncommon for something in the left channel to cancel out something in the right channel. Especially when you are recording something live. That could be a drum cancelling out a bass guitar, vocals cancelling out guitar, etc. It happens over the entire range, and it's usually accidental, but it's real." If possible I would like to have the option to switch from mono to stereo bass. Thats why im asking now before I buy this avr. I know there are avr's that have this option and I would like to find out which ones those are.

You might find this video interesting. Gene and Matt discuss Mono vs Stereo Bass:

 

[HarisH]

I think it should be technically possible, by using the left and right pre-outs on the AVR. However, you lose bass management features by doing that. It really wouldn't be worth it.

That is my concern as well. If i did the afore mentioned, in that case all the speakers that were set to small the bass would have nowhere to go since there is no lfe channel.