Sub woofer start off question...

[Timbot]

I've been given a glimmer of a green light to start looking into subwoofers by the wife (can start putting money to one side with a view to buying later in the year).

My question is this...

How much (realistically) should I look to spend on a subwoofer to go with / match the setup mentioned below?

Sony STR DH800 with bi-amped Kef Q35.2 floor standers at the front, Mission C77 centre speaker and Monitor Audio 1s as rear surrounds.

Obviously the speakers are all a few years old and the receiver is fairly entry level. I've been tentatively looking at either a BK sub (Gemini or XLS200) or the Wharfedale Diamond SW150. I tend to use it mainly for AV as it doesn't seem to handle music massively well. I wouldn't imagine spending huge amounts on a sub would be a great idea given the limitations of the system.

Any suggestions gratefully received!

 

[poolmaster]

Hi Timbot

Subs are a bit of a sore point with me at the minute, as mine appears to be broken!. Putting that aside looking at the system you have already got i think you are pretty much on the right lines.

If you are planning on up grading other speakers and your amp in the near future maybe get a sub that is more likely to match your future purchases.

cheers

Poolmaster

 

[The_Lhc]

I'd probably be more concerned about having mis-matching fronts and centre, that isn't going to do anything for your tonal balance across the front stage.

 

[Anonymous]

I have to agree, getting the front 3 L/C/R is a must for me, infact all 5 if budget allows

also I hope your glimmer turns into a bright light for you

 

[Timbot]

So what is the best suggestion? Should I be looking to go for a KEF centre speaker to match the KEF floorstanders? Or should I be matching impedance etc.? Should I save up and do this before I splash out on a sub? I seem to recall a few "debates" / opinions about the benefits and importance (or lack of) matching your front left, front right and centre speaker. Don't think I want to buy a pair of new fronts if possible!

I think I quite like the look of the BK XL200 incedentally...

 

[Andrew Everard]

Timbot:So what is the best suggestion? Should I be looking to go for a KEF centre speaker to match the KEF floorstanders?

Yes: I'd go for something like this or this

 

[Timbot]

Sorry if these are dumb questions but...

(wait for it...)

Would those be better than a new Kef centre speaker (such as the Q200C) because they are from the same range / era as my floor standers so would be properly matched? Or would a new Kef Q200C match just as well?

How would they compare to my Mission c77? I got this for a menial sum from a relative and it looks pretty reasonable (even if I haven't got a clue if it's any good or not). I guess I could try to sell it on so I'd be almost swapping the centre speaker.

 

[Andrew Everard]

A new one would in all probability match just as well, but I assumed you were trying to minimise the spend in order to fund the subwoofer.

And they would match your existing front left/right speakers much better than the Mission.

 

[Timbot]

You're probably right about trying to minimise the spend to fund the subwoofer. I'll try doing a bit more washing up and see what I can wrangle. From the posts above I assume having a matching centre is quite a key thing so may look into this first. There's always Christmas for the sub...

Many thanks to everyone for their most heplful information.

Tim