Adding a subwoofer to my home theatre setup

Forums › Home Theatre (incl HTPC) › Adding a subwoofer to my home theatre setup

jamesla

85 posts

Master Geek

Topic # 68359 20-Sep-2010 11:59

I am wanting to add an sub and a center speaker to my 2 speaker setup (currently running http://www.wharfedale.co.uk/Products/Product/tabid/78/PID/10/CID/52/language/en-GB/Default.aspx) to effectively run 3.1 (I have been told that the amp will do this automatically and it is quite a common setup for people who can't be bothered running cables around the lounge).

Is anybody running 3.1? and how does it sound?

Secondly when buying a sub what should I be looking for, i realise my options are really between 10" and 12" and then named or no named (ie from jaycar).

Jaycar has some really cheap boxed subwoofers ie http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView.asp?ID=CS2457&CATID=15&form=CAT&SUBCATID=831. What do you experts think of that? Or would it be worth sticking with the same stuff as the rest of my setup ie Wharfedale diamond branded sub.

Also 10" vs 12" for gaming and movies what is better?

My speakers have 8" subs in them but they don't sound very good, am I likely to notice a huge increase in bass ie huge punches with explosions when adding a proper boxed sub?

xcon

113 posts

Master Geek
+1 received by user: 12

Reply # 382232 20-Sep-2010 13:12

Go the Wharfdales !!!!
im in the same boat ,so got a cheap solution currently
I have a pair of wharfdale xarus 5000 ( 8" woofers) and a JBL 12" GT3 for the extra
THUMP - powered by a rockford fosgate amp

But ideally a proper 12" Home sub with built in amp would be perfect
A Branded decent 12" is $1000 + from Paul Money HiFi (QUALITY)
http://www.paulmoney.co.nz/

The jaycar 12" would do the job on a budget

the 8" woofers gives the punchy bass - 12" sub would be nice for the deeper bass

sorry if this doesnt answer your question

andrew027

1243 posts

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Reply # 382287 20-Sep-2010 15:12

My general advice would be:

If you're going to get a centre speaker, try to get one that matches your front speakers as much as you can. Go for a Wharfedale in the same range, or as close as possible. When the centre is carrying the dialogue in a film, it's really noticeable, and really annoying, if it doesn't match sonically (too bright, too dull, or too much difference in volume, although the last point can often be compensated for in recevier setup).

This matching is not so important for the subwoofer, but go for the best one you can afford. I'd avoid no-brand subs unless my budget was seriously restricted. No matter how good you think the bass is in your front speakers, a sub will make a huge difference, and a good sub should shake the room at low frequency, regardless of volume.

What kind of amp/receiver are you using?

jamesla

85 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 382306 20-Sep-2010 15:29

Thanks for the advice guys, I'm using a Onkyo sr-576 http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?class=Receiver&m=TX-SR576 and have my 2 speakers Biamped.

Since I already have 2x8inch subs in my speakers should I really be looking towards 12"??

Are the 8inch subs in floor standing speakers known to be not very effective? The speakers are 200w RMS and my amp is 160w RMS and the speakers are biamped.. I kind of expect more punch than they are currently giving.

Jaxson

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Reply # 382312 20-Sep-2010 15:36

My 2c,

Get the best centre speaker you can afford.
It really is the most important in a movie situation in my humble opinion.

[Several people actually recommend not getting a centre speaker if you have good front Left and Right speakers and cannot afford a good centre one. They use their receivers in 'phantom' centre mode.]

Make sure your receiver is working properly, so it really is sending just the centre speaker content to the centre speaker.
And add to that, make sure your gear can do 5.1 all the way through, like you're not feeding the Amplifier the sound from a DVD via 2 analogue RCA cables or anything like that etc.

Subwoofer.
Depends on your room and how much you need from it.
A good quality 10" may sound better than a budget 12" etc.
Go for 12 if you have the option.

The smaller Wharfedale subs are fairly standard as the cheapest name brand option.
If you are strapped for cash, then Trademe for a well loved 2nd hand unit might be an option.

It's about power and the cleanliness of the amp, also the strength, travel distance and robustness of the speaker, and then the design and strength of the cabinet. That's a lot to get right so you kinda get what you pay for.

jamesla

85 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 382313 20-Sep-2010 15:38

So would something along the lines of this http://www.wharfedale.co.nz/default.asp?ObjectID=443&StockCode=SW250B be quite punchy since it's named, 250w and not 12" I will use this for games a lot so when tanks/guns shoot i want to really feel it

Jaxson

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Reply # 382314 20-Sep-2010 15:41

jamesla: I'm using a Onkyo sr-576

That's not a hugely powerful receiver really, but it is quite well featured.

You may find the speakers have a low level cutoff / subwoofer crossover frequency applied to them. (It's buried in the settings). This means some of the bass is redirected away from the speakers anyway, so never makes it to them. There is a setting called double bass somewhere in the settings which routes the subwoofer bass to the speakers as well as the subwoofer, and you might like that effect.

Remember you can only hear the subwoofer effects if they are there in the source material.
If you've got good front speakers you might need to spend a bit on a subwoofer to get a pleasing merger of the two.

Jaxson

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Reply # 382316 20-Sep-2010 15:42

jamesla: So would something along the lines of this http://www.wharfedale.co.nz/default.asp?ObjectID=443&StockCode=SW250B be quite punchy since it's named, 250w and not 12"

Yeah, that's the next step up from the standard into subwoofer, the SW150 which comes with the surround speaker packs.

jamesla

85 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 382464 20-Sep-2010 21:16

so whats the next step after that?

Also my AV receiver is 160w that's quite a bit isn't it :P?

Dunnersfella

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Reply # 382465 20-Sep-2010 21:21

Personally, I believe one of the easiest ways to get a smooth transition through out your home theatre system, is to stick to the same family of speakers.
Personally, I quite like Velodyne subs, they onlt make subs, don't cost the earth - and some of the more featured versions come with a remote that would allow you to tweak the performance to suit movies / games / jazz etc...

andrew027

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Reply # 382688 21-Sep-2010 14:11

jamesla: ...when tanks/guns shoot i want to really feel it

I go back to my earlier post... Everybody expects to feel that vibration when the big explosion goes off (as they should) but you want a sub that rattles the crockery for low frequency, regardless of volume.

For example, there's a scene near the end of Saving Private Ryan where Tom Hanks and co. are staked out around the bridge, and the Germans are just turning up on the edge of town. The tanks are still far away so the engine/track sounds are quite quiet, but the popcorn bowl starts moving across the coffee table and you know Tom's in trouble! That's what I'm talking about...

cgrew

860 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

Reply # 383052 22-Sep-2010 09:55

andrew027:
jamesla: ...when tanks/guns shoot i want to really feel it

but the popcorn bowl starts moving across the coffee table and you know Tom's in trouble! That's what I'm talking about...

Yeah mate definitely. That movie is epic on Blu-Ray - lossless audio DTS-HD Master all the way!