Should I buy another sub??

[Ras777]

I replaced my Aperion subs with a HSU VTF 15H MK2 about 5 months ago and I am very impressed. I am now thinking of buying another one to even out the bass response. Before I spend another grand I want to make sure it will make a difference in my HT. I have one large sofa that is placed 2/3 of the way back in the room. There is only one row of seating. I used the crawl method and SPL meter and found that the right rear corner gave me the best response. Would another sub really make that much of a difference in that same row? Or would I just be increasing the quality of the bass where nobody will ever be sitting? Are multiple subs really only worth it if you have a relatively large variation in seating like multiple rows?

 

[WaynePflughaupt]

If your concern is even bass response and not merely adding output (i.e. louder bass), then it makes more sense to properly equalize the sub you have. It’s best done along with taking in-room frequency response measurements (the “sub crawl” isn’t a terribly accurate method for determining subwoofer location). You can get the freeware Room EQ Wizard program for this from the Home Theater Shack. $100 for a measurement mic + ~$200 or less for an equalizer = way cheaper than a second sub.

Regards,
Wayne A. Pflughaupt

 

[shadyJ]

+1, you need to see what your response is. Get a calibration mic and hook it up to a laptop with REW installed, and take a measurement at your listening positions. I would bet the single sub response isn't too great and that a second sub can benefit you, but even then you need a way to see the frequency response to make that second sub count. I would look at getting one of these plus the Umik-1 microphone in addition to the second sub.

 

[Ras777]

Thanks guys. I will definitely invest in a mic and REW. If I decide to go with another sub can I expect it to increase the SPL at the seating position or would it just smooth out the bass response?

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Thanks guys. I will definitely invest in a mic and REW. If I decide to go with another sub can I expect it to increase the SPL at the seating position or would it just smooth out the bass response?

approx +3db if both subs on same wall, but your goal should be even bass first and most importantly.
HSU VTF 15H MK2's output is already likely higher than you'd ever need, except in huge spaces

 

[lovinthehd]

Thanks guys. I will definitely invest in a mic and REW. If I decide to go with another sub can I expect it to increase the SPL at the seating position or would it just smooth out the bass response?

It can increase spl if you set them up each separately at the same calibrated level then combine them, or you can set them up with combined response initially at a given level. Primary benefit of multiple subs is more about smoothing response throughout the room, but increased headroom is an advantage as well.

 

[herbu]

"Should I buy another sub?"

Yes! The answer is always Yes! Everything else is just blah, blah, blah...