If you're adding a sub to your stereo setup, is there a rule of thumb as to whether Bigger is Better or is a smaller sub tighter / faster and therefore punchier bass.
I'm looking at a BK Electronics sub as a most likely contender.
Well when you buy a subwoofer, especially for Stereo we’re trying to fill in something that's missing. Normal the last few octaves.
Generally, subwoofers are designed to take the burden away from the speakers and amp and this is where high passing comes in. That is why companies like MK only make sub-SAT speaker packages. So yes a subwoofer is a subwoofer is a subwoofer, BUT there are some differences! some lack controls because there expected to be used with an AVR. Some are only low-level and only have 1 LFE input, others have twin RCA low-level inputs. Some have both high and low levels. Something to be mindful of.
When working with stereo the size/capabilities of the subwoofer will be dictated solely by the capabilities of the speakers (as alluded to above) and the size of your room. And will normally be asked to provide a far narrower band of frequencies than that used with AVR’s and these frequencies are normally at the very extreme of the subwoofer's capabilities because stereo amps lack highpass filtering. For example 40hz and down. Rather than 120/80hz and down for AVR.
here is the rub!
In general, a 6-inch woofer won't cut it if your speakers can do 30hz because you can't physically x it over enough, for speakers this capable you're looking at 10inchs at a push 12-15 being ideal. With the caveat that you may have problems with gain in a small room.
Speakers that only do an in-room response of around 40-50hz, somewhere in that ballpark an 8 inch will be great. And should be good in all but the largest of rooms.
Hopefully that makes sense
Edit: sorry i should have put a a couple of brands in there that i feel are very good. Some are new but all can be had second hand some easier than others.
One brand that is looked over quite a bit is Volodyne specifically their ultra models from a few years back (and there previous model before that) absolutely bombproof cones, They start at 8 inches and they have in built room corrrection. Is very good to be quite frankly never heard a performance like it. can be had preowned for around the 200 mark I owned the 12inch ultra 12.
Newer Rels maybe not my first pick these days but seem to be the defacto for 2 channel listening.
BK subwoofers weren't a fan didn't really work in my room, YMMV
SVS Mirco 300 astonishing little subwoofer. smaller than a 12-inch lp (just) unfortunately the smaller subs get the more expensive they get.
This model is supposedly still current and i think the movie rooms sell it , that's the seismic 110 by Anthem has an in room response of 18hz and super long throw cone again built like a tank. Anthems room correction. Has an incredibly flat response, so much so it sounds like it's bearly doing anything till you take it out of the equation, an astonishing little beast. wish i never sold it. Pretty expensive these days new.