Hi all, My first post so I need educating....thanks. My setup is as follows:Arcam A28 AmpArcam CD 17 CD PlayerArcam T32 TuberKef IQ70Kef IQ30 (unused) I mainly listen to music but sometimes I connect my TV (through the headphone out on TV) to the amp for decent sound on TV. Split between music/tv is about 80/20. I know that this system is a Stereo setup and not ideal for movies. I feel that I don't get "shuddering bass" but at the same time maybe that is how the music is intended to sound. I plan to buy a Sonos Connect AMP to drive the Kef IQ30's. However, as my AMP does not have bass management should i consider buying a AVR amp instead of using the Arcam FMJ A28 amp. So I would need to:- Buy a Center Speaker- Buy a Sub Woofer- Buy a 5.1 AVR I plan to buy a Sub anyway so that is cost neutral My budget would allow me to purchase the following- Kef 200C Center Speaker- Denon AVR-X2100 I am not really into surround sound but I am very happy with 3.1...maybe later I can go to surround So my questions are:1. For MUSIC, would I be mad to change my Arcam FMJ A28 with KEF IQ70 and new Sub (very good Stereo 2.1 system) for a DENON AVR X2100 with KEF IQ70 and new Sub and new center speaker (KEF 200C)2. For MOVIES, would my Arcam FMJ A28 with KEF IQ70 and new Sub be perfectly fine for watching movies for someone who watches movies maybe once every two weeks3. Any comments on pairing SONOS Connect AMP with my KEF IQ30's4. If I stay with Arcam FMJ A28 for music only DO I NEED AN SUB WOOFER?5. Should the KEF IQ70's be producing enough bass for music only?6. Is my stereo system fundamentally missing an SUB WOOFER?7. If i bought an SUB WOOFER, would it distort music with too much bass?8. FINALLY, please recommend a SUB for to go with A28 and IQ70's.....budget 500-700 Please help with recommendations. thanks,Tom.
Which Subwoofer
- Thread starter tomforan
- Start date
Hi Tom and welcome to the forum.
FWIW. Here are my thoughts:
- Given you much prefer 2 channel, unless you are prepared to shell out for an Arcam AVR450, you (imo) will take a backwards step for something that makes up 80% of your listening.
- Personally, I would get a BK sub and listen in 2 channel + Sub http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers.htm
- I used to own the IQ9s with an Arcam AVR350 (in a 5 channel IQ system), and I think you should certainly try doing the above suggestion (ie. 2.1). The IQ series are very clean and clear sounding, with a tight controlled Bass, and works very well with Arcam amps.
- Can't comment on the Sonos.
- Whether you "need" a sub for music is very personal. If you subtly integrate the sub, it will give greater scale and authority for music that requires such characteristics.
- Whether the IQ7s produce enough bass can (imo) be effected by things like, how the room is furnished and its size, whether the floor is suspended, the speaker cables and subjective taste.
- Set up correctly / subtly, the sub won't distort.
- BK XLS 200 or XXLS 400.....if you give BK details of the size of your room and what you want to achieve, they will advise.
FWIW. Here are my thoughts:
- Given you much prefer 2 channel, unless you are prepared to shell out for an Arcam AVR450, you (imo) will take a backwards step for something that makes up 80% of your listening.
- Personally, I would get a BK sub and listen in 2 channel + Sub http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers.htm
- I used to own the IQ9s with an Arcam AVR350 (in a 5 channel IQ system), and I think you should certainly try doing the above suggestion (ie. 2.1). The IQ series are very clean and clear sounding, with a tight controlled Bass, and works very well with Arcam amps.
- Can't comment on the Sonos.
- Whether you "need" a sub for music is very personal. If you subtly integrate the sub, it will give greater scale and authority for music that requires such characteristics.
- Whether the IQ7s produce enough bass can (imo) be effected by things like, how the room is furnished and its size, whether the floor is suspended, the speaker cables and subjective taste.
- Set up correctly / subtly, the sub won't distort.
- BK XLS 200 or XXLS 400.....if you give BK details of the size of your room and what you want to achieve, they will advise.
Kubs said:
A friend of mine has one, which I haven't heard long enough to make more than a cursory judgement.....which was that it is hard to beat for the money. It reminded me of the Rel Subs of old and MJ Acoustics.
IMO. Once there is a bigger budget on offer, subs like the Paradigm Seismic 110, Velodyne SPL Ultra series and the B&W PV1D are better.
There is no reason why they wouldn't work for 2 channel (I would stick to sealed) and they offer very good vfm.....I'm sure there are enough owners on here who can give better insight.
jonathanRD
Well-known member
- Jan 27, 2011
- 179
- 52
- 18,670
Kubs said:
I have a BK XXLS400DF - I purchased it as a compromise (rather than the Monolith) to go with my MA Bronze speakers for home cinema and to use for music with my hifi (bookshelf speakers). Now I'd never had a subwoofer previously, so I can't compare with other makes/models, but I am very pleased with it. Watching films, the downwards facing sub rumbles through my laminate floor into the concrete base - it's fantastic and makes me smile every time.
For music, it's also very effective for most (but not all) music, as I find it adds so much bass that my mission 780's cant produce. With some music it can be too much so I just turn it off, and at night I often turn it off so as not to disturb anyone upstairs in bed. But overall, I think that I have managed to set it up well enough to really enjoy the extra bass it gives to a lot of my music and I would not be without it now.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experiences guys .... I'm toying with a sub and have been drawn to the bk subs simply from a value for money point of view and reading a couple of reviews. I have a short list ... Kef r400, bw pv1d, bk, paradigm s110 and the new rel s2. Music comes first, movies second. Apologies for highjacking the thread!!
Another happy BK XXLS400 owner here, I don't think much can touch it for the budget, you could get an antimode too just about in budget which would help it intergrated properly which shouldn't be underestimated.
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