Do I Need A Subwoofer?

[BringItBroski]

Hi,

I've currently got a pair of Tannoy V4 Floorstanders, hooked up to the Pioneer VSX-924. My room is pretty small and although the bass is already pretty impressive I just want that extra 'thud' if you knwo what I mean. Will an average subwoofer help? (Freq Response of 32Hz) and if so which one for around £200? I've seen the BK Gemini II but I need more advice.

Cheers Guys.

 

[CnoEvil]

This is a hard one to advise on as it's so personal.

FWIW. If you have an itch that needs scratching, get a Gemini and see what you think. The secret is subtle integration of a good (sealed) Sub ie. you shouldn't be able to pick out the Sub.

 

[davedotco]

The first question is to work out what is missing. Most importantly is it bass extension or bass 'punch'.

It is my experience that what most people find lacking is not deep bass, but power and punch reaching up to the mid bass. A lot of systems produce bass that is warm, often quite generous (not being specific here, I am not familier with your speakers) but lacking in 'attack' and 'kick'.

A subwoofer will give you low frequency extension that will underpin most 'conventional' music but will only make a real difference on a large orchestra or electronic music. If you play mainstream popular music of pretty much any kind, the sub output, below 50hz or so, is unlikely to make a real difference, unless you simply want to add low bass rumble, what you really need is re-inforcement in the couple of octaves above that.

The answer is simple enough, better more potent speakers rather than a sub, assuming your reciever is up to the job of driving them. Real world power rather than paper specifications are the issue here, you need to try some options.

 

[MeanandGreen]

I own these speakers. I've used them in a smaller room and I'm surprised you are lacking bass kick to be honest.

When I had them in my old house I had them positioned well out into free space and had a lot of bass presence. I see you are using an AVR is it set correctly for large speakers etc? Are you using this system just for music or movies too?

If you want room shaking low bass for movies you will need a sub.

 

[fr0g]

As mentioned, it depends on your flavour of music.

I personally listen to a lot of electronica which IMO demands a sub. You miss a great deal of sub-bass otherwise and even with good floorstanders it will be missing. I used my BK XXLS 400 with Dali Ikon 6 and for music as mentioned it makes a huge difference. Mainly IMO in the bass that you feel in your chest and stomach, rather than hear...

I would agree with the idea of purchasing a Gemini at the very least. The latest has a 10" driver so should give you that extra oomph you seem to be after...

 

[mond]

I recently bought an Anthony Gallo sub, these start at quite resonable prices, and mine does a good job of filling in the bottom end. I do find that I often actually turn the volume down on the sub though, as I dont think all music warrants the extra bass from the sub. And you can always turn it on and off as the mood / music type takes you.

 

[BringItBroski]

Thanks all for the responses - I think I'll think about the Gemini! It really is that bass throughout your body sort of experience that I'm looking for, a bit hard to explain.

@MeanandGreen, the bass is very good, especailly for a pair of floorstanders at this price, I was just looking for that extra room shaking bass

 

[MeanandGreen]

Thanks all for the responses - I think I'll think about the Gemini! It really is that bass throughout your body sort of experience that I'm looking for, a bit hard to explain.

@MeanandGreen, the bass is very good, especailly for a pair of floorstanders at this price, I was just looking for that extra room shaking bass

I know exactly what kind of bass you are talking about.

My Mercury V4s now live in a much bigger space and I've got 2 Tannoy HTS subs complimenting them. I've never heard a domestic setup like it!