Sat/Sub or Econowave?

[vputz]

Okay... bear with me; I'm pretty sure I know the answer, but...

I'm in the process of a move to the UK, so it's a good time to review my audio stack, which until now was a prefab consumer audio stack with a receiver and a 5.1 satellite/sub speaker pack (the satellites are... Bose... I'm so ashamed...).

Anyway, since the receiver wouldn't work on UK voltage, I built myself a wee little 2-channel gainclone. I hooked up some of the Bose sats and my li'l gainclone sounded pretty good! (with a little hum if I got close; I may need to reevaluate my grounding design, but I don't feel like milling out more boards).

However, obviously the wee sats can't handle anything basslike. I could try and retrofit the powered sub with a 220V-capable power supply, but...

...is the sat/sub combo even worth it? I have to admit to some non-audiophile things: A) I don't listen to a ton of music, C) mostly the sound system gets used for HT and gaming, and C) I used to be a helicopter pilot. But even so, when I do listen to music, that's all I do: sit there and appreciate it; so I do like it to be good.

So from the perspective of people who have been doing this a while: is there any point to trying to keep the old sat/sub system (keeping in mind that it's done me OK so far), or should I just cut my losses, sell the old equipment, and build a set of econowaves in my last couple months and prepare to be blown away by the increase in quality?

[Godzilla]

I would build the Econowaves and move the older system somewhere else. Then I'd build a sub for the Econowaves.

[vputz]

Hmm. Although at the moment there's no "somewhere else" (I'm going through a radical downsizing of stuff, unfortunately post-divorce, and moving into an apartment overseas--so pretty much all entertainment is going to be centralized around my computer for a bit; if I'm not going to get use out of them for a few years, may as well sell 'em).

Sounds like the econowaves are the way to go--I may just sell the 5.1 set to someone more interested (or sell it as 3.1 and keep two satellites for rear speakers if I do 5.1 again at some point).

Eh, I know myself. If I go ahead and build the econowaves I'll get so attached to building my own stuff I may as well build everything.

[TMHutson]

I usually use the term "satellite" for very small speakers that pretty much need a subwoofer. Econowaves can be built to hit deep enough so you don't need a sub for music (Just get the right woofer). If the size of a cabinet with a 10 or 12" woofer does not scare you for use "around your computer", then that would be a nice option as you can add a sub for going louder and cleaner for both music and movies. And you would not need to upgrade, either.

[vputz]

The ones I have are indeed the tiny ones that need a sub. And naw, given the size of the computer (it's a beastly gigantic tower; easier to work on) having big speakers around won't kill me. I may sell my current (110VAC) commercial 5.1 computer speakers and my Bose/Yamaha 5.1 HT setup and consolidate to some econowaves and see how that goes... it'll be interesting in any case.

[AllenB]

If done well, a set of econowaves would sound much better than your average out of a box HT system. There are a couple of things you need to know about speaker sizes.

The Econowaves have large woofers, but this is to make use of their directivity. Although they could be designed for deep bass, they normally aren't in favour of other things like efficiency.

Secondly, subs are often just used to make up for small speakers that have no bass but this is not the way that many here see it. Being in a separate box, a sub allows you to decide what part(s) of the room your bass will be produced helping you to overcome the issue of room modes. Often Econowave builders would rather not try to extend and compromise their (main speaker) bass as their subs will do the job more thoroughly.

[Inductor]

You don't say the country you go to.
Maybe (if UK) you could buy old vintage nice-speakers/nice-price there, like Kef, IMF, PMC... instead of bringing all with you. Isn't it an option?
The Studio's - IMF electronics
PMC Speakers
Q. Can I use vintage hi-fi for monitoring?

[vputz]

It's the UK, and that's certainly an option (and as I ponder my upcoming moving expenses, it's a pretty good one!). I'm just more familiar with US part sourcing and remember a fair amount of VAT/price increase last time I was in the UK.

[gainphile]

Econowaves have their benefit. But you really need to consider the size. Especially if you had not lived with large speakers before.

I went to HiFi shop, and was stunned at how small loudspeakers are, like dynaudio bookshelves etc. I expect that for normal electronic shop like Harvey Norman, but not audiophile shop !!

For sure with the size you'd get great directivity and healthy bass extension to 20hz if needed (if active). I built a 12" version and the family complains before they run out of excursion.

[vputz]

Good points, gainphile, and I never have lived with my own large speakers before. However, the house I'm renting now (furnished) has speakers about the right size and I don't find them too intrusive... and after all, my current living arrangement has one room devoted to my computer rack, workshop, and PCB mill, so I can't say my style of decoration is particularly elegant for the most part--and as shabby as some of my homemade furniture is, I have a certain amount of pride in having built it myself (the desk I built is still going after four moves and about 10 years).

So I'm still inclined to give it a go. The worst thing that happens is I spend some money and learn something, I suppose.