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More than 2 subs?

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7K views 40 replies 12 participants last post by  BeeMan458 
#1 ·
Just curious if anyone is using more than 2 subs and if so why? I'm currently planning out my dedicated HT in my basement and will pre wire for an 11.4 system. I currently have 2 SVS PB-2000s which are phenomenal. Just wondering what an extra one or two would do for me.
Anyone with more than 2 subs feel it's overkill? My room will be around 14x24x7
 
#2 ·
I have eight eighteens in my room... and it is just about right. :whistling:

I always say the more the merrier, but you do have to be careful with placement because if you get them all at different distances from the main listening position, the delay can get rather challenging to get a good unified response.

If setup properly, multiple subs can help smooth out the low frequency response in the room, and add a little more effortlessness to the "feel" you get from the bass.

What I have done is place my front subs symmetrically and my rear subs symmetrically, so that my front subs act as one sub and my rear subs act as another sub, for the sake of distance/delay. I have a 5ft delay added (via my DEQ2496) to my front subs to account for the difference in distance from my main listening position to front and rear subs.

I would not think twice about adding another pair of PB2000's to the mix and experiment with the placements until you get them where you like them. Speaking of pre-wiring, you will need to have quite a few power outlets to make sure you can place the subs where you need them, as well as possibly more than just one interconnect outlet, unless you don't mind a little stretch of interconnect running to the sub.
 
#3 ·
I currently only have one sub but I am selling it and moving up to at least 2 subs. Years ago I had 4 or 5 subs (can't remember which) and even though they were inexpensive subs they sounded great. Back then I was using multiple subs to get the spl up on the cheap, while at the same time evening out the sound around the room. This time i will be doing it strictly to even the sound around the room, and I will most likely end up with either 3 or 4 subs this time.
 
#4 ·
Indeed, Sonnie is correct, multiple subs can really even out the sound in a room. However, as everyone will mention, there is a caveat, measure, measure, measure because using multiples can also mess up a room. Audyssey does help a bit by measuring distances and what have you but be careful and aware of room nodes or modes or icky places to put them.
 
#5 ·
Thanks for responses. I will never go back to a single subwoofer system now that I've heard 2 but wasn't sure if more 2 would hurt my cause at all. It's not quite in the budget for 2 more but a third is tempting.

Thanks for the advice Sonnie, there will be plenty of outlets in the room. 8 eighteens eh? I like it!
 
#6 ·
What AVR/processor are you using... does it have Sub HT EQ? If so, then you can place two subs up front, keep them symmetrical... likely both front corners of the room. Experiment with facing them towards the wall (4" between baffle/grill and wall) and out into the room... varying angles. Keep those two on one sub preout (y-adapter). Place the third sub in the rear via the other sub preout and experiment with its placement along the back wall. The Sub HT EQ will keep your distance and levels matched and then equalize all subs together.

This is why I really like using something like a miniDSP or the DEQ2496 prior to Audyssey. I can get my distance/delay setup properly for better placement experimentation prior to running Audyssey. I can also knock down any drastic peaks that Audyssey may sometimes have issues with.
 
#9 ·
I've never used REW but once my room is built I'll be utilizing that for sure. I'm coming from an old Velodyne CT-8 so these subs are my first foray into the world of real bass. Just hooked up in my living room without any type of calibration blows me away so I'm very much looking forward to having a dedicated room to start watching my 800 Blu-ray discs all over again ha.
 
#10 ·
I have 3 PSA XV-15's...added the third to knock down a healthy peak around 32hz which it did. I use my subs as end tables in a nearfield enviroment and it works really well...the bass surrounds all seats seamlessly and the tactile sensation is unreal. I would never go back to a single sub and I would add a 4th if I had the room. When the time comes I can build a dedicated theatre, 4+ subs will be used. With REW and a good EQ, integrating multiples is not that difficult.
 
#13 ·
Years ago I remember seeing where there was a trend in the UK to build sub enclosures out of your basement and have the sound come through vents in the floor. There is a picture of one floating around on the net where they built a horn loaded sub that took up the whole basement.
 
#16 ·
#23 ·
Those are the exact dimensions of my theater room, I feel more than 2 subs would be overkill, but 2 are required. I have 1 on the front left 4 foot from the corner@45 Degree to room and 1 on the right rear same distance. It balances out the room modes for me in that config. Bass is in the center of the room with 2 units setup this way. If the room was a little larger 4 would not be out of the question though.
JMO
 
#24 ·
FWIW, I have 11 subs. 4 18's and 7 12's. There's some serious DSP horsepower running them and at some frequencies some of the subs even run out of phase. Net result is bass response is phenomenal in the room. Is 11 too many or not enough? Believe it or not at "excessive" spl's I've heard them run out. Fortunately for normal (reference level) listening they have plenty of headroom.
 
#28 ·
Good to know someone else has the same dimensions I do spytech. If you say 2 get it done nicely then I may be ok. Not sure how much room I'll have on my front wall though since I have a 135" screen and may be doing a wide 7.2(+) setup so I'll need to experiment with placement.
 
#30 ·
I will definitely try that placement thanks. I would like to put the two I have in the middle of the side walls and possibly add a third for the middle of the rear wall which would surround the listening field but not sure how it would sound. I'm sure my dual PB-2000s will be plenty but this is my first dedicated HT build and I want it to be as cinema like as I can get. From what I've read about properly built rooms they can sound better than the cinema.
 
#32 · (Edited)
In my opinion, above room smoothing issues, an extra one or two SB-2000s will do little as the gain is on the top end, not the bottom end.

One sub placed nearfield behind the MLP and one on the other side of the room near the flat screen side of the room will give you the best bang for you buck but if wanting more than what you currently have, you'll need to leapfrog the subwoofer system you already have. Just saying, if wanting more, sell the two SB-2000s, buy a pair of PB12-pluses or Ultras and be done with it. If that's not enough, step up to a pair of Rythmik FV15HPs and if still wanting more, go for a pair of JTR Captivator S2s.

The point, you get where you want to go by buying what you want to get.
 
#34 · (Edited)
It's a matter of baby steps vs BIG GIANT steps and where you want to be when you've made your purchase.

In my opinion, going from a PB1000 to a PB2000 is a baby step. Going from a PB1000 to a PC12-Plus is a GIANT step.

When you finish putting your subwoofer system together, what are you're expectation?

As to budgets and what you have, buy a single PC12-Plus and later when you're able, add a second matching PC12-Plus. Nothing says you can't buy one at a time. Place the first one nearfield and dial it in. This way you'll get the smoothing response and the most tactile sensation out of a single subwoofer system. Later, when finances allow, add a second PC12-Plus to add to output, depth of extension and smoothing out those nasty room nodes.
 
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