Subwoofer pair under 5L

[SuyashMoorpana]

How to blend a subwoofer with speakers?
What's the subwoofer crawl?

I received this from JL audio. Easy and a very well explained step by step guide.

 

[insane79]

Hi everyone,
I’ve been a lurker on the forum for quite a few months now and I’ve learned much from all of you. It’s really great to be a part of the community!

I’m running a stereo system with the following setup -
Streamer + PreAmp - NAD M66
Power Amplifier - NAD M23
Speakers - B&W PM1s

I want to buy a pair of subwoofers which I plan to integrate using DLBC. I’ve currently shortlisted the REL T9x, the KEF KC92 and perhaps the REL S510 (if I can get 2).

I primarily use the system to listen to music. I do use it to watch TV but it’s not often. My room is about 20 feet x 15 feet x 12 feet (ceiling), and it’s a bedroom with all the typical furnishings - bed, cupboards, desk and side tables.

I’ve tried using a PSB sub before, but I had to return it because of the terrible rattling in my room’s false ceiling. I’m going to try and reduce it with foam tape on the ceiling light fixtures and with the SVS sound path isolation system.

I must add that I used a B&W ASW10CM subwoofer for many years without the rattling being particularly bad (it was low enough to be ignored). It used to sit under my TV cabinet on a wooden floor.

But when I got the PSB and moved it to the side of the cabinet (on marble flooring), the rattling was so bad that I returned the sub. Now, one year later, I’ve got the itch again and I wanted to ask if anyone here’s found a solution.

Have any of you tried these subwoofers? Have you faced similar problems with your false ceilings? What would you do?

Do consider the B&W DB subs, they are under rated but are excellent subs.
I had the S/510 for few years, lovely sub but then got the B&W DB3D & have zero regrets.
I got the 800 series stand mounts & pairing the sub was super easy with the DB App on the phone.
Thought the app you can choose your B&W speaker & the bass transition is seamless, as good or better then Rel which requires alot of work & time to do it seamless.

Cheers..

 

[raghavtib]

As you said "I primarily use the system to listen to music. I do use it to watch TV but it’s not often." this is exactly how I use mine too.
I am using a JL Audio E110 (Not anywhere close to the level of subs you are planning to buy) but have never been disappointed by its speed and bass authority.
With your room size I feel something like a Rythmik E15HP2 as suggested by @DB1989 or JL Audio Fathom F112v2 or a F113v2 (Same high level inputs as REL) would be a better solution. They will pressurise your room more effortlessly.

RELs of course are unbeatable RELs but more focused on tonality than the slam which you will never miss with JL/Rythmik.

I’ve been looking at the JL audio e110 (a pair of them). The f112 and f113 are too expensive to buy in pairs and two 15 inch subwoofers would be too much.

I won’t be using the high level inputs, I will be using the .lfe inputs (either balanced or unbalanced) for the Dirac Live Bass Control benefits.

Why do you say that RELs are unbeatable? I wouldn’t say that I’m looking for the slam in particular from a subwoofer, more like something that adds to my speakers’ sound and frees them from the low frequencies.

The B&W PM1s which I’m using, I’ve had them since 2015 and I still love listening to them after all these years. They sound even better with the NAD amplification, but I can’t drive them beyond 25W without a HPF because the speaker’s 5inch woofer can’t handle low frequencies beyond this point.

I’m buying the subwoofers to free the PM1s from this struggle and I would want them to integrate as neatly as possible.

 

[oldmonk]

As you said "I primarily use the system to listen to music. I do use it to watch TV but it’s not often." this is exactly how I use mine too.
I am using a JL Audio E110 (Not anywhere close to the level of subs you are planning to buy) but have never been disappointed by its speed and bass authority.
With your room size I feel something like a Rythmik E15HP2 as suggested by @DB1989 or JL Audio Fathom F112v2 or a F113v2 (Same high level inputs as REL) would be a better solution. They will pressurise your room more effortlessly.

RELs of course are unbeatable RELs but more focused on tonality than the slam which you will never miss with JL/Rythmik.

Am curious to know if on the E110 there is a method to filter out such that only the frequencies above the set cross over frequency go to the main speakers and anything at ot below the xover freq goes to the subwoofer ??

 

[hifimaddy]

I have RELs, Genelec & SVS.

If you want EASY integration - REL.
If you want pure pressure - SVS.
Genelecs are my favourite - but in this conversation pointless.

Both REL & SVS sound brilliant & disappear once well integrated, but it is way easier to get RELs to sound right.

I love playing games with SVS - the feel of a stadium in sports game is very real cause you can kind of feel the bass all the time. RELs not so much, they make the music - very easy to listen to and things like Tabla/drums sound closer to real. You only realise what is missing when you shut your REL. I love it. I am running even my HT primarily with an REL now. Sometimes though I put the SVS on - specially for games with massive Ambient sounds - like FIFA.

THAT is NOT to say one is better - they are different flavours and I like both.

I found your explanation really helpful. I’m not into gaming, and while I might occasionally use the setup for movies, I don’t want anything too punchy or overwhelming for my room. My main goal is to have something accurate, natural, and engaging for music listening and also a minimal footprint.

I had already been leaning toward REL, and your suggestion reinforced that—it does seem like the ideal choice for my needs. That said, the SVS Micro is appealing because of its compact size and minimal footprint, which is why I’m still considering it.

I think the best next step is to audition them myself. I may also try listening to KEF options before making a final decision.