Do you need a subwoofer with the BP-9080X's?

[David Machowski]

Just curious, as i have 2 Subs now, and want to upgrade my main's to the BP-9080X's. I have heard that you do and you don't so wanted to know other's opinions and the why's and why not's.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[ryanosaur]

Even if those towers respond as claimed, I would still say yes. Without getting into the conversation about DefTechs claims, I will say that the more LF sources you have in your room, the more even your bass is going to be.

What are your current subs and how big is the room? LxWxH, pls.

 

[David Machowski]

The room dimensions are W 19ft L 16ft with 8ft ceilings. Currently have a paradigm seismic 12 in the rear of the room and then adding the 9080X's into the mix.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Speaking only for myself, there’s no way on earth I would believe those specs, and even if they could do 16hz I doubt it would be at any appreciable volume. To answer you question, I would absolutely use at least one sub with those. Also, a freestanding subwoofer gives you more placement options for better integration. If you have a suspended type floor like the upper part of a split level, it will take less bass sources. But if you’re on concrete that’s different, however the room isn’t that big either.

Anyway, you have a sub, so yeah, use it.

 

[David Machowski]

yeah we are single story concrete sub floor slabs in Arizona... I have the Yamaha RX-A1060, should i use a y slitter for speakers into Sub 1 and then the Sub into Sub 2?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Lol! That’s awesome. We(in MN) just had visitors from Arizona. They were treated to some overnight lows of -25 to -15°. Painful to say the least.

Anyway yeah. I’d go splitter to the mains and the second one out to the sub.

 

[David Machowski]

Thank you!

 

[ryanosaur]

IIRC, you can do speaker level connections with those... I'd experiment doing that, and running LFE to your sub. If you could get another matching one, it would be worth it. Either way, yes, splitters are very workable, too.

My limited experience with DefTech is that you shouldn't think of that as a subwoofer. The cabinet size just doesn't match up with anything that I've seen capable of delivering that kind of infrasonic bass.

 

[everettT]

Those are not subs, but powered woofers. Always get a real sub

 

[slipperybidness]

Just curious, as i have 2 Subs now, and want to upgrade my main's to the BP-9080X's. I have heard that you do and you don't so wanted to know other's opinions and the why's and why not's.

Thanks,
Dave

For music, likely they are fine without a sub.

If you are focused more towards movies, then not a chance and add a sub!

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

IIRC, you can do speaker level connections with those... I'd experiment doing that, and running LFE to your sub. If you could get another matching one, it would be worth it. Either way, yes, splitters are very workable, too.

My limited experience with DefTech is that you shouldn't think of that as a subwoofer. The cabinet size just doesn't match up with anything that I've seen capable of delivering that kind of infrasonic bass.

Glad you added that. I started typing to let the sub do the lfe but changed my mind.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Just curious, as i have 2 Subs now, and want to upgrade my main's to the BP-9080X's. I have heard that you do and you don't so wanted to know other's opinions and the why's and why not's.

Thanks,
Dave

What are you UPGRADING from?

If you already have subs, I think it's a waste of money to add speakers like that.

I used to own the DefTech BP7000SC and BP7001SC.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Speaking only for myself, there’s no way on earth I would believe those specs, and even if they could do 16hz I doubt it would be at any appreciable volume.

I never thought about it until now, but since these speakers have built-in amps with volume knobs for the woofers, if they were to crank that volume knob all the way up to 100%, I bet they could get some loud bass.

Back when I had the DefTech BP7000SC (14" woofer, 1800W amp), I had the bass volume at 50%. I never went to 100%.

As far as the 16Hz bass response, because of the built-in bass amp, I think it's more believable (especially if you crank up the bass volume knob) than the advertised/spec bass response of the B&W 802 D3 which is 17Hz @ -3dB. Stereophile measured about 39Hz @ -3dB.

 

[David Machowski]

What are you UPGRADING from?

If you already have subs, I think it's a waste of money to add speakers like that.

I used to own the DefTech BP7000SC and BP7001SC.

I am upgrading from Klipsch Epic CF-3. I have one sub in the rear of the room right now which is a paradigm seismic 12.
Thanks,
Dave

 

[ryanosaur]

Forgive my curiosity, but what is drawing you to the deftechs, pls?

 

[David Machowski]

Forgive my curiosity, but what is drawing you to the deftechs, pls?

I can get them at an insanely good price trough a friend, as well as the powered 12's is a included benefit. i was looking at the Klipsch RP-8060FA, but i am not 100% sure.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I can get them at an insanely good price trough a friend, as well as the powered 12's is a included benefit. i was looking at the Klipsch RP-8060FA, but i am not 100% sure.

You need to do a lot more research and not rush into this. Let's get more people involved to spend your money for you.

Exactly how good is insanely good price?

They retail $3500/pair.

Would people here be willing to pay $1750 per pair if they had the option?

 

[David Machowski]

You need to do a lot more research and not rush into this. Let's get more people involved to spend your money for you.

Exactly how good is insanely good price?

They retail $3500/pair.

Would people here be willing to pay $1750 per pair if they had the option?

it's about 45% off retail, as he is a Def Tech dealer.

 

[ryanosaur]

What is your goal with this upgrade? Are you "Just a rocker?" (It's OK, I am too, at heart!" After all I left music school to move to SF with my band!!!)
If you want a rig that's gonna bump, sure, go for it. If you are interested in reproducing accurate sound, there is a whole other world out there. A lot of good gear can be had for the cost of a $2000 pair of speakers!

Please understand, its not my desire to knock your choice. Its your ears and your ducats. My experience with DefTech, though, was... unispired.

I'm a chef, and the best analogy I can come up with is from the wine country: you go to the store and see a low cost brand like turning leaf, claiming gold medal awards from wine competitions... for what is quite mediocre juice... but the reason they stand out from the crowd is that after tasting 20 wines and your palette is fatigued, you get this wine with a touch of residual sugar left in after fermentation was killed off. And when the judges look back over all the wines they tasted... what stands ouT?

The one with powered woofers. (And yes, that T was intentional).

I would surmise that a large part of their cost is putting amps and passive radiators in every speaker. Not to mention the up-firing atmos module, which is not super effective if you really want to have good sound from an atmos rig.

Conversely, for the retail cost of two of those Def Techs, you could get two SVS Ultras and a PB3000 and be blown away by the sound difference. I'm not trying to sell you that either! Just putting a counterpoint out there for perspective.

Fluance Signatures get recommended as an excellent budget tower... add the matching Center, AND 2 PB2000 subwoofers from SVS for 2350.

Happy Hunting!

 

[Paul DS]

Those are not subs, but powered woofers. Always get a real sub

That speaker has a 12" subwoofer with built-in 455-watt Class D amplifier. How would that not qualify as a first rate sub woofer?