Dual mismatched subs, 2.1, only for music

[corsara]

Hi,

So, I’ve got a question about adding an extra sub to my system.

The system is used exclusively for music only, 2.1, has the following speakers:

2 x Polk Audio RTiA3
1 x Infinity TSS-1200 (12 inch self powered sub, 250 W RMS, frequency response 29 – 150 Hz)

I am thinking about adding a 10 inch sub to the system by splitting the signal at the receiver with a Y-splitter. The 10 inch sub is the following:

Precision Acoustics HD S10 (10 inch self powered, 150 W Peak, 100 W RMS, frequency response 35 – 180 Hz).

What do you think? The room size is big, 23 by 13 feet. Since this is for music only, do you think the 12 inch sub performance will suffer when I add the 10 inch sub to it? How should I set the cross-overs and volumes on the two subs? Perhaps keep the volume of the 10 inch lower or how?

Thank you in advance for the advice. This forum has many great people and tons of info!

 

[djreef]

I've actually done this before with pretty decent results, but then again your mileage may vary depending upon how well the pieces fit together in the system. I paired a Def Tech with a Velodyne and smoothed the response out pretty well with the 2, on music only. Since it was a hybrid system - HT too - the extra sub helped fill the room with a little more depth on movies. Understand though, I had EQ running out the yin yang, so that helped considerably with the overall response. So, yes it can be done, but it can get complicated in order to get right.

DJ

 

[shadyJ]

I don't think running different subs in the same system will necessarily hurt much, as long as the subs are roughly equal in performance. If you mix a powerful sub with a weak one, than your setup can only go as loud as the limitations of the weak one while still sounding good. If you go past its limitations, than you get distortion, and all kinds of other nasty sounds, like overdriving and chuffing. That is assuming the weak one sounds good to begin with, and not a boomy, muddy mess with lots of overhang, in which case its best to leave it out entirely. This is why it is mostly recommended to keep subs identical if you want multiples.

 

[corsara]

I went to the store and listened to the 10 inch sub I was considering. It is severely underpowered as compared to my Inifinity 12 inch at home....so I didn't buy it.. it would have been bad to match those two.

 

[lsiberian]

You are best off using the same subs if necessary. But dual subs aren't always beneficial. I suggest you get a FR curve to see how your sub is doing in your room.