Just curious if anybody is doing this type of configuration and what your thoughts are, I might be able to give this a trial run sometime today/tomorrow but would like to hear from others that are currently running something similar or have done it?

I am considering adding two 10" powered subs to my mains, not for LFE as I have a large 15" powered sub that handles all LFE and would remain in use along with the dual 10's. I am thinking the dual 10's can handle all the mid bass and make my three way towers lives a bit easier (6.5 woofers in the towers). I am looking for something more visceral in the mid bass department, that punch in the chest slam. The current system does a great job but there's always room for improvement :D.

To be more specific, my plan is this...

AVR (L & R) front speaker level output into powered sub speaker level input then out of sub to main, one 10" powered sub next to each main. Would probably go anywhere from 60Hz to 80Hz crossover to the 10" subs/mains (currently at 80Hz). Of course I guess I could also use the AVR's L & R line level outs but I figured the blend might be better using the speaker level connections along with the crossover in the sub (probably better SQ with the line levels however).

I know there are many speakers that are configured this way out of the box (some Def Techs, some Polks) but I am curious if anybody has done the sub addition with good results (or bad, either way I would like to hear about it).

Thoughts...?

Thanks for any/all input ;).
Jason

The thing about midbass and small speakers is, unless you get above oh say 1000Hz or so, you really don't need anything smaller than a 15" unless - obviously high SPL is not required and/or space is a problem)

the reason you need smaller driver as you increase frequency - this applies to tweeters too, is the off axis response becomes very poor if the diaphragm is relatively large compared to the wavelength it emits. Having said that, using an 18" high efficiency woofer up to 300-400 Hz is no problem at all and that would actually provide you the best midbass (unless you used a 21") - ever been to a rock concert? Need i say more.

Now if you use a typical 10" subwoofer that only has average sensitivity, this is not gonna do one bit of good over your average 12, 15 or 18" subwoofer, so just because its a smaller driver, usually has nothing to do with it being better at higher frequencies. You flat out need sensitivity and the best/cheapest way to get that is to use a larger driver or the right kind of driver.

I'll give you an example.

the JL F110 is going to have worse mid bass than the F113 which has a 2dB sensitivity advantage and twice the power. On paper this should give you about 5 more dB even at say 80Hz - i'm just doing by the car audio specs here, but they should be close to their home products. One step further: I can find a nice lower xmax 10" driver that has 90dB or better @ 1 watt and this will outgun the JL13W7 by 4dB at the same power - that might be a better trade at say 100Hz when xmax is much less demanding.

hope that helps, good luck!

Just curious if anybody is doing this type of configuration and what your thoughts are, I might be able to give this a trial run sometime today/tomorrow but would like to hear from others that are currently running something similar or have done it?

I am considering adding two 10" powered subs to my mains, not for LFE as I have a large 15" powered sub that handles all LFE and would remain in use along with the dual 10's. I am thinking the dual 10's can handle all the mid bass and make my three way towers lives a bit easier (6.5 woofers in the towers). I am looking for something more visceral in the mid bass department, that punch in the chest slam. The current system does a great job but there's always room for improvement :D.

To be more specific, my plan is this...

AVR (L & R) front speaker level output into powered sub speaker level input then out of sub to main, one 10" powered sub next to each main. Would probably go anywhere from 60Hz to 80Hz crossover to the 10" subs/mains (currently at 80Hz). Of course I guess I could also use the AVR's L & R line level outs but I figured the blend might be better using the speaker level connections along with the crossover in the sub (probably better SQ with the line levels however).

I know there are many speakers that are configured this way out of the box (some Def Techs, some Polks) but I am curious if anybody has done the sub addition with good results (or bad, either way I would like to hear about it).

Thoughts...?

Thanks for any/all input ;).
Jason

I run something similar with excellent results, but I'm doing it all at line level. I run a pair of SVS SB12's in stereo which I cross over at 100hz to the front right and left mains. I also have two larger LFE subs.

A good choice of subs you might consider are the HSU-12 Mid-Bass Modules. They are designed for 50-150hz.

Kyle,

Thank you for the insight, I am aware of what you mention but cost is a factor here and as such adding 18" or 21" drivers along with capable enough amps to push them would be more than I am willing to spend for this project ;).

I do very much appreciate you taking the time to respond however :).



mojomike,

Thank You, that's what I was looking for (a positive experience) :).

Jason

I run something similar with excellent results, but I'm doing it all at line level. I run a pair of SVS SB12's in stereo which I cross over at 100hz to the front right and left mains. I also have two larger LFE subs.

A good choice of subs you might consider are the HSU-12 Mid-Bass Modules. They are designed for 50-150hz.

Then you would run your speakers as "Large" and then what would your LFE crossover be?

Bill

Then you would run your speakers as "Large" and then what would your LFE crossover be?

Bill

I used to run the speakers as "large", but recently switched to a "small" setting with a 40hz crossover. I leave the LFE at the full 120hz.

I run something similar with excellent results, but I'm doing it all at line level. I run a pair of SVS SB12's in stereo which I cross over at 100hz to the front right and left mains. I also have two larger LFE subs.



Dim bulb here- so you use Preamp outs to the subs and the subs have high-level outputs driven by their own amps?

Dim bulb here- so you use Preamp outs to the subs and the subs have high-level outputs driven by their own amps?

Most of the subs discussed on this forum have their own built-in amps that are fed a low-level sub-out signal from a receiver or a processor. Alternatively it can be fed from the left and right pre-amp signal. Many of the subs, but not all, also have high-level inputs which can be fed from speaker outputs. This still goes through the sub's own amp.

Most of the subs discussed on this forum have their own built-in amps that are fed a low-level sub-out signal from a receiver or a processor. Alternatively it can be fed from the left and right pre-amp signal. Many of the subs, but not all, also have high-level inputs which can be fed from speaker outputs. This still goes through the sub's own amp.

yes but your AVR would not send the proper signal the way you described the crossovers- it would send 0-40 out the subout phono jack, not 40-20K or whatever. you seemd to suggest you had line level out 2ch stereo.

yes but your AVR would not send the proper signal the way you described the crossovers- it would send 0-40 out the subout phono jack, not 40-20K or whatever. you seemd to suggest you had line level out 2ch stereo.

That's correct. In my case, I use the pre-outs and split them between my front L&R main speakers and my pair of small subs. I use an in-line 100hz crossover to keep the lows out of the main speakers. I also use the LFE out for the LFE signal as well as the <40hz content and send this to my larger subs.