Bookshelf Speakers - When to add a Sub?

[Witterings]

I appreciate room size will make a difference as well but putting that aside for a second, how else would you decide whether to add a sub to a pair of bookshelf speakers.
Would you look at the speaker's lowest frequency and depending o how deep they dig decide from there (in which case what level limitation would you consider it necessary) or are there other more important things to take into account in helping decide?

 

[Integralista]

Hi, I think there is a lot of subjectivity in this topic. For me, speakers with output above 40Hz (+/- 3Hz) do not need subwoofer. Probably except when you listen organ music or grand piano. Than you will be thankful for the sub. More important I think is how do you feel reproduced music from your system. There are bookshelf speakers with subjective "full" sound, where e.g. acoustic bass is not so comprimated. Speaker like Dynaudio or Focal are quite good in this aspect. BR.

 

[Witterings]

Speaker like Dynaudio or Focal are quite good in this aspect.

I was watching a video just before I posted and they said the Dynaudio Evoke 10 were very good for bass in their size range.

 

[Integralista]

Hi, which amp do you have? And how big is the room? Dynaudio need very good amp to shine. BR.

 

[Witterings]

Hi, which amp do you have? And how big is the room? Dynaudio need very good amp to shine. BR.

Ok ,,,, this is where it may fall down, it's a Denon M39 DAB so may ne underpowered for those.

 

[Messiah]

I would always add a sub. Full stop. 😁

 

[PieterG]

If you're looking for objective criteria, the low end of the speakers' frequency range is the first one i'd think of. Integralista says that anything around 40Hz should be ok without sub - i couldn't put a number on it but it sounds reasonable.

You mention room size, and i would include speaker placement as well. Bass might improve if you tweak the distance to rear and side walls/obstructions a bit... or it might not. Maybe you don't have a lot of options to reposition the speakers.

Subjectively, i would consider a sub when the lows don't have the impact that i prefer. For example, i played with the sub from my tv surround setup in combination with my floorstanders, and i had to dial it down at least 6dB to avoid exaggerated bass. I decided i didn't need a sub with those speakers, but that's a decision based on personal taste and musical preference.

 

[Fandango Andy]

I would suggest if you think you need one there is a chance you do! It's all about personal preference.

I have never used a sub in my stereo system having never felt the need. However, my current speakers go down to 39Hz, around 10Hz lower than anything I have had before. If I went back to smaller speakers with less low end would I find them lacking and feel the need for a sub?

On the other hand, I have a small. Sub in my AV system that makes a massive difference.