Floorstanding or Bookshelf with Sub

[mike c]

always ON.

 

[billy p]

I keep my on at all times!! You must also remember that listening to music the bass frequency is much less then that of movies. LFE of movies most speaker couldn't handle it to begin with.

 

[zumbo]

I am simply interested in other people's opinions on the subject. Obviously I would prefer the floorstanding speaker, but usually can't afford anymore than the bookshelves I want : ) People are discussing X-over points and how they would be different between a bookshelf and floorstanding. I look at the need for a floorstanding speaker completely different: I prefer to keep the sub off. With a floorstanding the bass usually goes a littler lower and is usually a little fuller than a bookshelf. I don't think I like a floorstanding any better with a sub (but I should audition this combination now that I think of it) than a bookshelf. Therefore the floorstanding speakers usually perform a little better in the bass department. However, I 100% agree that imaging seems to be ruined when you go to the floorstanding speakers (at least in the B&W 600 range).

I'm attempting to keep the thread generic and not linked to any particular speakers. But I haven't really decided what is most practical for me.

How about this question: Do you generally listen to music with your sub on or off?

Keep your opinions coming!

Always on.

It looks as though you may be a little mixed-up. Unless your floorstanders have the powered sub in them, I don't recommend this, using fullrange speakers for HT is not the best idea. The LFE channel is mixed into the dvd. It is the .1 channel. When you select the audio track (5.1) on the dvd, it sends the LFE seperate. The floorstanders being discussed are not fullrange. Also, once you have your system set-up and calibrated, it will have a set x-over point for the mains. You will want the sub on.

Discussing the x-over point is very important. It is the main reason to consider floorstanders vs bookshelf. It is also important to know the facts about the speaker you choose. It's FR determines how well it will work with the sub.

If you want to discuss different brands, you may want to say so. Also, changing brands will mean changing your center channel as well. Hope you understand all this, as it seems you don't.

 

[zumbo]

?

Let's limit this to music only. I don't think anyone would argue the necessity of a sub for HT - bookshelves or floorstanding.

I have reread the original post. Somehow I continued to talk about HT. Let me try again.

1) If this is a 2-channel set-up only, I wouldn't even use an HT receiver, bookshelf speakers, or a sub.

2) If this is an HT that will sometimes be used for 2-channel, then all other posts by me apply.

 

[emorphien]

I use bookshelf speakers with decent extension (42ish Hz) and no sub. I pretty much accomplished all the criteria I set out to accomplish when I began shopping. But I use them strictly for 2.0 music.

Floorstanders have their pros and so do bookshelves. For home theater I don't find it to be as much of an issue, however if you speakers can reach reasonably low without distortion, you can set your X-over lower which is beneficial IMO. Some bookshelf speakers can accomplish that, and obviously floorstanders can as well. For HT with a reasonable amount of 2 channel usage, I'd go with floorstanders as mains unless I was short on space or bookshelves could reach the depths necessary for 2.0 music in the room in question (and for your taste in bass and the music you listen to). Most of the music I listen to I find has little to lose below 50Hz, and less so below 40Hz but home theater really depends on getting low and loud for many effects.