In my 2ch stereo audio set up, I had a very hard time getting good bass at the prime listening position until I added a second subwoofer. Now the bass is the same at all the listening positions. BIG IMPROVEMENT!!!
I have 2 subs and it makes a huge difference on the bass sound for my whole living room. You don't need as much power in them too when you have more than one.
Have 2 subs in a room designed for 19hz low end. Only used one for a while until room was cabled and ready. Subs are Paradigm Sub 25 with PBK, using 2 subs is vastly improved spread across the room, and easily flatter responses. The subs are 15inch with 3Kw continuous and 7500W peak. Never stressed even when LOUD and low.
That’s an ideal situation: Whenever possible you want to have enough bass headroom so that the subwoofers will never run out of steam. It can make for some impressive movie effects! Thanks for watching.
I just turned off EQ I Played Paul Simon still crazy after all these years sacd and it sounds better than ever! Thanks for the tip i've been trying to get perfect EQ forever but i can't so i quit!🎉
I've been producing music for 30 years, if I'm recording an acoustic Act and I decide to put the double bass on the left Channel and the drummer on the right Channel and you have one subwoofer, it all gets summed in the middle and I hear phasing problems. If you had a pair of big floor standing speakers with woofers and no subwoofers you would hear the two instruments doing what they're supposed to be from the correct side of the room. One sub does not give stereo Bass. Stereo is stereo. If all you play are the mono Beatles recordings this is not a problem for you.😊
Will 3 subwoofers (2 far-field, 1 near-field behind/on the corner behind the listening position) make an audible difference than 2 subwoofers (2 far-field)? If so, would the difference be bad in a way to stick back with dual or upgrade to 4 for a subtle upgrade?
If you had a budget of say $500 for a sub setup , would you buy two $250 "budget" subs or one $500 sub. And what size(s) would you shoot for. I've always had cheaper sound equipment and been pretty darn happy with it. I hope to build a much nicer system one day. And there is NO shortage of decent used stuff on line. I want to try two subs for sure! Get video by the way.
My preference would be for one $500 sub to start with. You can always save up for another in the future. Look at the subwoofer specifications and not the size of the driver.
Multiple subs should be any HT enthusiasts endgame. Throw in a mini DSP, REW, and get them to communicate well and its night and day compared to a single!
In the corners and mid-wall placements were both tried. The mid-wall placement resulted in slightly smoother response in most room, but it's not really practical for most setups. Thanks for watching.
Ok you've got me thinking about a 2nd GoldenEar XXL sub for my approximately 17 x 17 square room. In terms of listening to music and watching a movie, what are these nodes and modes, and peaks and valleys that you speak of? Does one even know you have these, unless you take measurements? I am an a/v enthusiast, not a critical audiophile and the only thing i can hear is that the bass is different in different areas of the room. When watching big bass movies my one sub rocks the room. Based on your experience, when listening to music do you think a 2nd sub would make a significant improvement and warrant the expense, given my square room?
i like the floor standing with say 12 inch drivers 4 way or 2 tweeters with active x-over set up .basically just copy and tweak the AR12 from 1978 them sound darn good by any standard. 4 woofers darn right the old ways are the best
@@AxiomHomeTheaters another LOL grip of mine yep most people think mono blu toothless speaker are acceptable or a boomy flashy light Walmart self system has a great sound just wild to me. i assume they never herd a good old system even a low buck set up
@@AxiomHomeTheaters you would not i should have written that in my rant lol..oh i guess most cars have descent sound incomprehension to a mono mini speaker anyhow .but yea its convenient junk theses days .i like decent stuff even some chip amps are cool wen pair with an EQ and or a set of good speakers .i modified a damaged late 1970`s 55 watt x2 receiver unit with a class d sure amp board it is loud and sound good to .fun tinker project and being the transformer is over sized she will do around 130 @ 8 ohms and more @ 4 but thats just playing i do not party any more so i use that power level very little .still need to install a modern preamp upgrade but that bit of hiss does not bother me much its got highs and deep lowes good cone control i am happy and lasts a long time most of all
So 2 subwoofer won’t be louder? can 2 subwoofer resolve or equal the loudness in some places where it’s not as loud as where a good spot is in? For example I have a pb 2000 pro in my room when I turn it up I can hear it loud in my kitchen but in some places in my kitchen it’s like it’s not even there will 2 subwoofer solve those empty places in my kitchen and fill it with loud bass?
It will not necessarily mean that you can get more output, but you are correct that two subwoofers can fill in room dips and achieve more uniform bass in more areas of the room. Your kitchen is probably in a null relative to the subwoofer position.
Is it okay to mix subwoofer models in a dual subwoofer setup? What would be your advice on selecting a second subwoofer? Currently using one Klipsch R-120SW 12"
Certainly different subs can be used. I would recommend dialling them in individually and then adjusting the overall level with both of them running together.
I have a 700 watt kicker/pioneer system that came with the truck I bought. Curious on what would be the difference on if I had more wattage and put 2 12s vs the one 12 I have now. What’s ur go to brand ? Is it gonna be a drastic difference in sound quality?
It’s really a hard question to answer as it depends on the woofer, the cabinet that it’s in, and the amplifier driving it. If you go for dual woofers, you’re want to make sure you have a cabinet with twice the volume of your single woofer sub.
If I only listen to nearfield, do need 2 subwoofer? I ask because my listening setup is for desktop use and I only stay in one location which is in front of the computer. I can't remember the last time I positioned myself in any other way other than in front of my pc computer. Would you still recommend me to have another subwoofer added?
@@AxiomHomeTheaters Thank you friend! You are a wealth of knowledge!!! I was thinking I had to use the 2nd subs built in crossover to balance out the other sub using LFE. This is all new to me, excuse the entry lever questions, LOL!!!
I read in a online article that .2 is just number of subwoofer and not the tracks in the mix. Its the single LFE channel given out of the AVR through 2 pre-out port. But, if we need to use more than 2 sub's, then i need to use kit like MiniDSP 2x4HD. Am i right?
No, not necessarily. The .1 channel carries bass information from all of the speakers in the system, and because that information is largely omni-directional, you can just add a second sub using a y-cable if your receiver only has a single subwoofer output. Thanks for watching.
Possibly my imagination, but adding a 3nd sub to my 2 channel system seems to have opened up highs/mids. I feel I am hearing a little bit more. How is this possible?
Well, adding the additional subwoofer might have flatted out some room modes, reducing bass at some frequencies and giving the impression of more clarity and opened up mids and highs. Excess bass can easily cloud or cover up these details.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters many thanks...so this is not something I am imagining....It's very subtle but definitely there. I appreciate your response. The problematic bass frequencies were covering or masking some highs. OK...sounds good.
I for one would anyday prefer an x.1.1.1.1. ..instead of x.1or x.2 .. where the 1.1.1 would be ..1,2,3 as in 1) 20-60 Hz... 2) 60- 120 Hz... 3) 120-240 Hz..... each sub. W. handling only 1 octave wide Freq. range.. all with pref. 48dB/ Oct. on both slopes ....& better still for H.T. & L.F.E. { the 1) 20Hz.. }. capable of down to " body feeling vibes " down to 2-4 Hz.... (3-6)/4Hz has been researched as very +ve vibrations.. the give us humans a "very feel good " effect....
I would actually not recommend what you are suggesting as you will get none of the benefit of having multiple subs helping to even out the room response. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it is appreciated.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters thanks.. it's ok to even out the room response...but that is benificial in large area/volume.. i.m.h.o. > 200-230 sq.ft. rooms...but then large rooms should ideally supplanted with large dia. subs.. 15 or 18 inch. .. myself have 2× 12 inch.. in stereo..from an amp rated 30W R.M.S / ch @ 8Ohms (in a front ported cabinet).... playing upto 250-300Hz....& my room size is approx. 140 sq. ft. with ceiling @ 11.5 ft.. that's just ok..with flat settings and vol/gain not more than 10 o' clock position
I think you might be surprised at the performance of three small subwoofers in an average sized room. Your system sounds like it is well integrated if flat setting are giving you good performance. The fact that you have two 12” subwoofers is helping!
@@AxiomHomeTheaters yes ..the 2 12inch..do make a huge difference...earlier for stereo I had 2× 8 inch horn loaded full range in a sealed cabinet with passive 8 inch cones..
3 subs will also work, it's just that the placement becomes a little tricky, because ideally you have them in a triangular layout. Thanks for a great question!
In my 2ch stereo audio set up, I had a very hard time getting good bass at the prime listening position until I added a second subwoofer. Now the bass is the same at all the listening positions. BIG IMPROVEMENT!!!
I run dual SVS SB-3000's in my living room home theater, sounds GREAT ❤
I have 2 subs and it makes a huge difference on the bass sound for my whole living room. You don't need as much power in them too when you have more than one.
Yes There is an audible difference between 1 or 2 subs added to the system, stereo or HT. Thanks for the informative video (as always).
Thanks, glad to hear you're enjoying the videos! Let us know if there are other topics you'd like to see covered.
Have 2 subs in a room designed for 19hz low end. Only used one for a while until room was cabled and ready. Subs are Paradigm Sub 25 with PBK, using 2 subs is vastly improved spread across the room, and easily flatter responses. The subs are 15inch with 3Kw continuous and 7500W peak. Never stressed even when LOUD and low.
That’s an ideal situation: Whenever possible you want to have enough bass headroom so that the subwoofers will never run out of steam. It can make for some impressive movie effects! Thanks for watching.
Great vid and advice! Once you go 2 subs you dont go back. 🎯
Glad you enjoyed the video, and thanks for watching. 👍
I just ordered my speakers and avr. Going for a 5.2.2 Atmos set up with dual subs to bring that BOOM!
Congratulations, can't wait to hear how your setup goes.
Bet you have at least 9 channels by now
I just turned off EQ I Played Paul Simon still crazy after all these years sacd and it sounds better than ever! Thanks for the tip i've been trying to get perfect EQ forever but i can't so i quit!🎉
I've been producing music for 30 years, if I'm recording an acoustic Act and I decide to put the double bass on the left Channel and the drummer on the right Channel and you have one subwoofer, it all gets summed in the middle and I hear phasing problems. If you had a pair of big floor standing speakers with woofers and no subwoofers you would hear the two instruments doing what they're supposed to be from the correct side of the room. One sub does not give stereo Bass. Stereo is stereo. If all you play are the mono Beatles recordings this is not a problem for you.😊
Thanks for your comment. Would this still apply if using a y cable or splitter for dual sub configuration? Thanks kindly if you respond.
This vid helped a lot thanks I went from a single Onkyo 8inch to a dual system and added a 8inch Sony
Will 3 subwoofers (2 far-field, 1 near-field behind/on the corner behind the listening position) make an audible difference than 2 subwoofers (2 far-field)? If so, would the difference be bad in a way to stick back with dual or upgrade to 4 for a subtle upgrade?
Right. I wouldn't trust a salesman, who says one is all you need... 😉
If you had a budget of say $500 for a sub setup , would you buy two $250 "budget" subs or one $500 sub. And what size(s) would you shoot for. I've always had cheaper sound equipment and been pretty darn happy with it. I hope to build a much nicer system one day. And there is NO shortage of decent used stuff on line. I want to try two subs for sure! Get video by the way.
My preference would be for one $500 sub to start with. You can always save up for another in the future. Look at the subwoofer specifications and not the size of the driver.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters 8
2 subs are a must.4 even better.
Not really
@@vaughnwolf101 afraid so Vaughn my friend.2 is a must.
Multiple subs should be any HT enthusiasts endgame. Throw in a mini DSP, REW, and get them to communicate well and its night and day compared to a single!
@@sethpettman5491 100%agree thank you Seth
Thanks for watching and commenting 👍
And what was the placement of the four subs from the research? Corners?
In the corners and mid-wall placements were both tried. The mid-wall placement resulted in slightly smoother response in most room, but it's not really practical for most setups. Thanks for watching.
If people are worrying about too much bass I would make sure your subs have a separate bass knob
Ok you've got me thinking about a 2nd GoldenEar XXL sub for my approximately 17 x 17 square room. In terms of listening to music and watching a movie, what are these nodes and modes, and peaks and valleys that you speak of? Does one even know you have these, unless you take measurements? I am an a/v enthusiast, not a critical audiophile and the only thing i can hear is that the bass is different in different areas of the room. When watching big bass movies my one sub rocks the room. Based on your experience, when listening to music do you think a 2nd sub would make a significant improvement and warrant the expense, given my square room?
i like the floor standing with say 12 inch drivers 4 way or 2 tweeters with active x-over set up .basically just copy and tweak the AR12 from 1978 them sound darn good by any standard. 4 woofers darn right the old ways are the best
Yes, with active you have that option, but it’s probably not for most people.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters another LOL grip of mine yep most people think mono blu toothless speaker are acceptable or a boomy flashy light Walmart self system has a great sound just wild to me. i assume they never herd a good old system even a low buck set up
@@overbuiltautomotive1299 until you hear a good system how do you know what you're missing?
@@AxiomHomeTheaters you would not i should have written that in my rant lol..oh i guess most cars have descent sound incomprehension to a mono mini speaker anyhow .but yea its convenient junk theses days .i like decent stuff even some chip amps are cool wen pair with an EQ and or a set of good speakers .i modified a damaged late 1970`s 55 watt x2 receiver unit with a class d sure amp board it is loud and sound good to .fun tinker project and being the transformer is over sized she will do around 130 @ 8 ohms and more @ 4 but thats just playing i do not party any more so i use that power level very little .still need to install a modern preamp upgrade but that bit of hiss does not bother me much its got highs and deep lowes good cone control i am happy and lasts a long time most of all
@@overbuiltautomotive1299 Audio is a great hobby, and fixing audio equipment can be rewarding, enjoy!
How would I add two side surrounds for side left and side right.
So 2 subwoofer won’t be louder? can 2 subwoofer resolve or equal the loudness in some places where it’s not as loud as where a good spot is in? For example I have a pb 2000 pro in my room when I turn it up I can hear it loud in my kitchen but in some places in my kitchen it’s like it’s not even there will 2 subwoofer solve those empty places in my kitchen and fill it with loud bass?
It will not necessarily mean that you can get more output, but you are correct that two subwoofers can fill in room dips and achieve more uniform bass in more areas of the room. Your kitchen is probably in a null relative to the subwoofer position.
How about placement?
I have one in front left and one in rear right corners.
The same phase ?
Is it okay to mix subwoofer models in a dual subwoofer setup? What would be your advice on selecting a second subwoofer?
Currently using one Klipsch R-120SW 12"
I wouldn't. It would be like mixing your front mains. Just get another R120. Nice sub and 2 sounds even better.
INTERESTING!!Does placement still important?
Yes, but not nearly as critical. I do think that having matching subs with identical or very similar characteristics is important.
Can I use a 15 and an 18 inch? Or do they have to be the same for better performance? The 18 is on sale for what my old 15 is when I purchased it
Certainly different subs can be used. I would recommend dialling them in individually and then adjusting the overall level with both of them running together.
I have a 700 watt kicker/pioneer system that came with the truck I bought. Curious on what would be the difference on if I had more wattage and put 2 12s vs the one 12 I have now. What’s ur go to brand ? Is it gonna be a drastic difference in sound quality?
It’s really a hard question to answer as it depends on the woofer, the cabinet that it’s in, and the amplifier driving it. If you go for dual woofers, you’re want to make sure you have a cabinet with twice the volume of your single woofer sub.
If I only listen to nearfield, do need 2 subwoofer? I ask because my listening setup is for desktop use and I only stay in one location which is in front of the computer. I can't remember the last time I positioned myself in any other way other than in front of my pc computer. Would you still recommend me to have another subwoofer added?
For PC use, I think a single subwoofer should be fine.
I have one doubt ,which gives deep bass in movies..
One 20 hz 12 inch sub or two 28hz 10 sub ?? plz help.
Well, it’s clear the 12 inch sub will go lower, but the two 10 inch subs might load the room better and give smoother output.
My sub suddenly stopped appearing even during testing. This happened after I moved. I'm not such a good audiophile.
I would double check all of your settings, the controls on your subwoofer, and the cables feeding the subwoofer.
If you have an amp with 2 sub outputs, can you wire 2 subs using LFE???
No problem at all!
@@AxiomHomeTheaters Thank you friend! You are a wealth of knowledge!!! I was thinking I had to use the 2nd subs built in crossover to balance out the other sub using LFE. This is all new to me, excuse the entry lever questions, LOL!!!
@@bfilz Entry level questions are some of my favorites, it’s great to see new people picking up the audio hobby, ask away!
I read in a online article that .2 is just number of subwoofer and not the tracks in the mix. Its the single LFE channel given out of the AVR through 2 pre-out port. But, if we need to use more than 2 sub's, then i need to use kit like MiniDSP 2x4HD. Am i right?
No, not necessarily. The .1 channel carries bass information from all of the speakers in the system, and because that information is largely omni-directional, you can just add a second sub using a y-cable if your receiver only has a single subwoofer output. Thanks for watching.
Possibly my imagination, but adding a 3nd sub to my 2 channel system seems to have opened up highs/mids. I feel I am hearing a little bit more. How is this possible?
Well, adding the additional subwoofer might have flatted out some room modes, reducing bass at some frequencies and giving the impression of more clarity and opened up mids and highs. Excess bass can easily cloud or cover up these details.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters many thanks...so this is not something I am imagining....It's very subtle but definitely there. I appreciate your response. The problematic bass frequencies were covering or masking some highs. OK...sounds good.
@@RBHADD Happy to be of help, you’re welcome.
If my first subwoofer is sitting on the inside of the right bookshelf speaker and slightly behind it. Where does the second sub usually go?
I for one would anyday prefer an
x.1.1.1.1. ..instead of x.1or x.2 .. where the 1.1.1 would be ..1,2,3 as in
1) 20-60 Hz...
2) 60- 120 Hz...
3) 120-240 Hz.....
each sub. W. handling only 1 octave wide Freq. range.. all with pref. 48dB/ Oct. on both slopes ....& better still for H.T. & L.F.E. { the 1) 20Hz.. }. capable of down to " body feeling vibes "
down to 2-4 Hz.... (3-6)/4Hz has been researched as very +ve vibrations.. the give us humans a "very feel good " effect....
I would actually not recommend what you are suggesting as you will get none of the benefit of having multiple subs helping to even out the room response. Thank you for taking the time to comment, it is appreciated.
@@AxiomHomeTheaters thanks.. it's ok to even out the room response...but that is benificial in large area/volume.. i.m.h.o. > 200-230 sq.ft. rooms...but then
large rooms should ideally supplanted with large dia. subs.. 15 or 18 inch. ..
myself have 2× 12 inch.. in stereo..from an amp rated 30W R.M.S / ch @ 8Ohms (in a front ported cabinet).... playing upto 250-300Hz....& my room size is approx. 140 sq. ft. with ceiling @ 11.5 ft.. that's just ok..with flat settings and vol/gain not more than 10 o' clock position
I think you might be surprised at the performance of three small subwoofers in an average sized room. Your system sounds like it is well integrated if flat setting are giving you good performance. The fact that you have two 12” subwoofers is helping!
@@AxiomHomeTheaters yes ..the 2 12inch..do make a huge difference...earlier for stereo I had 2× 8 inch horn loaded full range in a sealed cabinet with passive 8 inch cones..
What about 3 subs?
3 can work ray.
3 subs will also work, it's just that the placement becomes a little tricky, because ideally you have them in a triangular layout. Thanks for a great question!