2 Subs vs. 1 Sub - not high end

[whipdancer]

Ok, i've done a good bit of reading (and searching) and it seems that there is quite a bit to like about using 2 subs. I'm curious about a single (inexpensive) sub vs. 2 (perhaps cheap?) subs.

My question is about general consumer grade equipment. I don't have $1k to spend on a sub. I have about $400-$500.

I noticed in the classified section that Matt34 has a pair of Premier Acoustics PA-120 for sale. How would a pair of something like this compare to a single HSU VTF-2 MK 3, or an SVS PB10-NSD.

Any guidance would be very much appreciated.

Thanks!
~Whip

Denon 3802
Xbox 360
Mitsubishi 42in.
Axiom Audio M3 (x3)
Axiom Audio QS8 (x2)

 

[j_garcia]

It is tough to quantify. The sound quality of 2 is still going to be the same, you just get more output. When comparing lesser subs, if they aren't heavy hitters, then even two might not have a significant increase in output over a single PB-10 or VTF-2, and likely won't have the same extension that those two are capable of in-room. I imagine it WILL be more output, but is more output going to benefit you more than a single with better sound quality and extension? I haven't heard the PA-120, so I can't comment on it.

 

[fredk]

The big advantage in two subs is smoothing out the in room response. The question is what you are giving up for that. Usually it would be bottom end extension.

I know nothing about the subs listed.

FWIW, if you are handy, your best bang for the buck in that range would be a DIY sub.

 

[KEW]

Gene DellaSala had this to say about inexpensive tSc subs:

"Although the ASW-8 is bland in styling, because of its smallish size, it doesn’t draw much attention to itself, at least until it's fired up. Make no mistake however that this little sub is much more capable than one would expect given its size and price. If I were on the market for a $300 subwoofer, I’d pocket $100 and buy two ASW-8s."

This is from the second paragraph of the conclusion:
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/satellite/tsat-1000-ht8-b/tsat-1000-ht8-b-conclusion

To quote Gene again, he says:
"In almost all circumstances, installing multiple subwoofers in your theater room will yield significantly better and smoother bass response across a wider listening area due to modal averaging."

Taken from a comparison of 2 Axiom EP400's vs 1 EP500:
http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/two-subs

You did not say how you would use them, but I believe the benefits of dual subs are better suited to music than to HT. For HT, the sacrifice of smooth bass response of duals to get lower frequencies of a more capable single may be beneficial. You're not likely to notice a drop-out or spike in the frequency response during an explosion - as long as it is deep and loud.

Matt is a good guy and that is a good deal on the PA-120's.
However if you like to determine things for yourself, and are willing to float some money on your credit card, you might consider buying two ASW-10's ($240) vs a T100 ($200) or T300 ($300).
tSc has their subs on sale and offers free shipping both ways. Although you can get the ASW-8 Gene mentioned above for $80 each, I'd have to go with the ASW-10 for $120 to get the bigger drivers and amps.

Good luck.

http://www.thespeakercompany.com/Subwoofers-C17.aspx

 

[no. 5]

You did not say how you would use them, but I believe the benefits of dual subs are better suited to music than to HT. For HT, the sacrifice of smooth bass response of duals to get lower frequencies of a more capable single may be beneficial. You're not likely to notice a drop-out or spike in the frequency response during an explosion - as long as it is deep and loud.

Rough and ragged bass response will unquestionable still be quite audible with an explosion (especially if comparable to a smooth reference), and most movies have more in them than just explosions, so I don't think it's a matter of diminished audibility of what the room is doing, but a matter of whether or not the OP would be OK with the response a single sub provides.

 

[MatthewB.]

It makes more sense to spend the money on a one great sub than to spend the money on two lesser subs. Either go for an awesome DIY sub or the SVS NSD10.

 

[KEW]

As Alex2507 so elegantly said in the "One uber sub vs 2 great subs" thread, another option is to buy the expensive sub, then buy another expensive sub later.
However, if you have some patience, I plan to make a comparison of this nature in the next 2-4 weeks.

Rough and ragged bass response will unquestionable still be quite audible with an explosion (especially if comparable to a smooth reference), and most movies have more in them than just explosions, so I don't think it's a matter of diminished audibility of what the room is doing, but a matter of whether or not the OP would be OK with the response a single sub provides.

True. I guess a lot depends on how bad the nodes are in your room. If you are lucky, the single sub might be pretty smooth.

 

[no. 5]

I guess a lot depends on how bad the nodes are in your room. If you are lucky, the single sub might be pretty smooth.

Yep, and EQ can help too.

 

[whipdancer]

Thanks so much for the great responses. Lots of good commentary and discussion.

I can comment on a couple of things.

I do primarily watch movies - but - I've never actually experienced a HT setup with subs. Most people I know would never consider a sub. Personally, I've never considered my setup complete because I don't have one (or two). So, I'm genuinely curious how much the experience would improve by adding subs. Given the small size of my room (we are moving, but I seriously doubt the next house will be substantially larger), I don't think I need that much sub.

One thing I would seriously consider doing is purchasing a single VTF-1 or a single NSD10 now and then another in 6 months to a year. I know that the Hsu and SVS subs are typically considered good subs. Would a comparison to the T300 be a fair comparison?

One last note - seems TSC is having a sale. I could pick up 2x ASW10 for $240 or 2x ASW-8 for $160. (um, seems I completely missed this info earlier - as already posted by KEW)

Again, thanks for the great comments. Any other thoughts?

 

[fredk]

So, I'm genuinely curious how much the experience would improve by adding subs.

The impact will be huge. I picked up my system as music first, but went with a bigger sub to hit those low pipe organ notes. I was thinking any improvement for movie watching would be a bonus. It has added way more to the movie experience than I would have thought possible.

 

[TVJon]

I second the recommendation for the SVS sub. I had two of them inside built-in cabinets in the front of my first home theater - they're front-firing so it worked out really well.

Now I'm building another one and I plan to choose SVS again.

TVJon

 

[Ito]