1 or 2 subwoofers ?

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multiple drivers

You will find a paper at
http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/multsubs.pdf
about using multiple subwoofers. Adding subs improves the performance.
I might add that the subs all receive the same mono-sub signal.

But then if one used stereo subs , meaning a sub that recieves only the signal from that channel , I wonder if this is still applicable. Within limits I don't see why not !

Cheers.
 
Also agree on multi subs.

However as this is a DIY forum, perhaps it would be better to ask which subs to build, rather than buy. If you can do the woodwork, you stand to reap a larger performance benefit with DIY in many cases and can customise the size, shape and appearance to suit your needs.

Lots of build examples at HTGuide, AVSForum and Home Theatre Shack, all in the DIY speaker sections. HTS also has Illka's extensive SW test reports
 
frugal-phile™
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2 or more subs is a necessity to help kill room modes. The harman paper (info also in a JBL brochure) is a condensed version of what is in Floyd Toole's book where he gives a very understandable explanation of what is possible).

There is a thread here http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/multi-way/134568-multiple-small-subs-geddes-approach.html that discusses a similar approach.

To take full advantage of this it would be nice to have a JBL synthesis-like system that controls levels, delay & some EQ for each woof separately (and do the calculations that determine that)

dave
 
Just a quick thought on this,

Are you considering the spl matching of the two subs? In simple terms two identical drivers (double the cone area) will give a 3dB lift interms of acoustic output. If positioning is the root cause of the question then a great rule of thumb we used in the testing room was to place the sub in the listening position and move around the room listening for any room nodes until you found the best sound to your liking, then place the sub there and enjoy. OFC the best place ends up being the coffee table and your partner tells you you can't put in there cos the kids will trip over the cabling...

also you can take advantage of the 2dB lift per surface (6dB in a corner) if you are wanting more output in general.

Nice discussion btw

Cheers Richard
 
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