View Full Version : When to add a second sub?


Shock96
01-23-08, 08:47 PM
I have and HSU STF-2 sub and I love it. It does everything I want.

I am building a new theater in a 13'x20' room.

My question is when is it time to add a second sub to the mix?

My current setup seems fine. But I did find a deal locally on a STF-2 sub and I thought...hmmm...maybe nice to have a second sub.

Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks

Mike

Sirquack
01-23-08, 09:16 PM
If you want to help flatten out the frequency response for all seats in the room, that is the time to add the second sub. Place them on opposite sides of the room, normally centered on the front/rear walls.

Shock96
01-23-08, 10:06 PM
Ok, I will be building a riser for the second row of seats and I think I will need to butt it up against the rear wall. Currently the sub sits to the right side of the screen.

Would I be OK placing the second sub diagonally opposite from the first?

blake18
01-24-08, 09:47 AM
Ok, I will be building a riser for the second row of seats and I think I will need to butt it up against the rear wall. Currently the sub sits to the right side of the screen.

Would I be OK placing the second sub diagonally opposite from the first?

That's what I do, and it works great. :)

Ethan Winer
01-24-08, 11:43 AM
when is it time to add a second sub to the mix?

After you've gone as far as you can with bass traps. :D

--Ethan

goneten
01-24-08, 12:22 PM
Shock, adding a second subwoofer should give you perceptively cleaner bass at all output levels with lower distortion. Where one subwoofer at high output levels might be struggling, dual subwoofers (properly calibrated) simply coast along.

You also have two luxuries at your disposal. Either you co-locate both subwoofers and gain a maximum output advantage of 6 dB's or you can position both subwoofers to achieve a smoother in-room frequency response and achieve around 3 dB's of clean headroom.

For all you know, you may be experiencing output compression in your room without actually knowing it. When the subwoofer voice-coil overheats (either from high levels of a continuous nature or the woofer voice coil is riding outside the magnetic structure where it gets the bulk of it's cooling as it draws air in with each stroke), your output will go down.

This is also known as power compression. Adding a second subwoofer will most certainly give you less power compression and greater dynamics when watching your favorite movie or music track.

If you don't watch your movies loud enough that you are stressing the capabilities of the subwoofer then there is still merit to using two instead of one.

--Regards,

mailiang
01-25-08, 12:06 AM
I have both subs placed symmetrically, (each in the same location on opposite walls). I suggest you experiment with the placement, starting with each corner and then moving them down each wall until you get the smoothest response. Also, you should calibrate each sub independently when you balance your system.



EthanAfter you've gone as far as you can with bass traps.
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c160/mailiang/hmmmm.gif
Hmmmm......Sounds like a plug to me. :D


Ian

ribbit
01-25-08, 12:24 AM
1) when the wife isn't around.
2) when you got some money below the wife's radar.
3) when you spend a few months in this sub-subforum.

mailiang
01-25-08, 02:44 PM
1) when the wife isn't around.
2) when you got some money below the wife's radar.
3) when you spend a few months in this sub-subforum.


I snuck my second sub into the den one day, when my wife was visiting her brother. ;)



Ian :D

lalakersfan34
01-25-08, 02:49 PM
I snuck my second sub into the den one day, when my wife was visiting her brother. ;)



Ian :D

I snuck BOTH PB10's into my room without anyone noticing...on two separate occasions :D. Of course, they found out soon enough...;)

Ethan Winer
01-25-08, 03:06 PM
http://i27.photobucket.com/albums/c160/mailiang/hmmmm.gif
Hmmmm......Sounds like a plug to me. :D

You bet - it's a plug for the importance of good acoustics. Why should someone accept anything less? :D

--Ethan

theddy
01-25-08, 03:13 PM
i also have the same question. but also one question is bothering me how will i calibrate the second sub with my onkyo 805.

1stHD
01-25-08, 03:36 PM
1) when the wife isn't around.
2) when you got some money below the wife's radar.
3) when you spend a few months in this sub-subforum.

These are excatly my case.:D




To whom it may apply: if you have ever cheated the wife it's absolutely the time to upgrade the sub, not necessarily the wife. :eek:

OldCodger73
01-25-08, 03:56 PM
OK, a really dumb question. When you add a second SW how will getting a more powerful SW than the original affect bass output and balancing the bass?

1stHD
01-25-08, 04:08 PM
OK, a really dumb question. When you add a second SW how will getting a more powerful SW than the original affect bass output and balancing the bass?

It's not dumb at all but a very serious question on using mutiple subs. This is just one of the threads.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=980432

It's quite complicated using mutiple subs expecially when they are not identical. Just like multiple people's interactions. Ever watched Big Love on HBO? I call them Polysubbers who use mutiple subwoofers.

Shock96
01-26-08, 03:53 AM
Great! Thanks a bunch guys. I just made a deal on the twin to mine here locally. It will sit in it's box until the room is done!

I can't wait!

mike

bigdaddy999
01-27-08, 08:55 AM
"in the box"??? Puleeze take it out so it can breathe and get acclimated to it's new owner!! :^)

Seriously, you're going to enjoy having two subs. I don't think i would ever go back to a single in my situation. But DO read up on the placement considerations if you find you don't like what you hear....