This isn't a question about which subwoofer, but a question about shouldI buy a subwoofer. I currently have 4 way bass reflex speakers that have a 10" side-firing woofer, a 6.5" woofer, 2 " midrange, and 3/4 " tweeter. The system is primarly used for music, although my tv and dvd stuff also run through it. I don't want that big, boomy theater bass, just nice low bass for the music. I'm currently looking at a vented 150w powered sub that has a 10" front firing sub. The sub matches the speakers (color, manufacturer, etc.) and my wife wants it that way. Should I find something else to spend my $300 on, or would the sub be a nice addition? Thanx!:scratch2:

That's a very difficult question to answer. While the driver complement of your main speakers is relevant, speakers with 10" woofers still vary dramatically in their ability to go low. A sub may give you the ability to play with positioning for better bass in a way that's not possible with your main speakers. If there's any way to borrow one, that's the best way to find out if it works for you. If you tell us the brand and model of your speakers and the sub you're considering, there might be someone here with specific experience.

Oops, sorry. I have NHT 4's, and I am looking at their subwoofer "Ten". I have them running through two 200-watt mono blocks.

As RichPA said, perhaps freedom in the positioning of the separate sub can help reinforce the low bass from your mains. It should add to the bottom, however, I'd really not expect a big increase in deep, visceral rumble from a 150w 10" sub.

Another thing I'd consider is how often you crank it. A 150w sub probably can't "hang" with a pair of speakers that could get 200w each when pushed.

Hmm, that makes some sense (I think - I'm pretty new to this stuff). I was going to buy it on the web, so it would be hard for me to try it. Thanx so much for the input so far!

Normally, I prefer to recommend multiple subwoofers to a single subwoofer as 1 subwoofer is just about the hardest thing to setup. However, if the NHT 4s go low enough on their own, a single sub might be just what you need to get more uniform bass response throughout the room.

I'm a strong proponent of subwoofers as I have not heard too many subwooferless systems that couldn't be improved with proper placement of subwoofers.

A friend of mine is helping me play with this very subject right now. We are looking to run the audio through a rack mounted crossover that will allow us to send only the lowest frequencies to the subwoofer and the rest to my 4 ways. Will report back when up and running...

I hate to even say this, but I think I'm gonna spring for the $300 bucks. What's the worst that could happen? I don't think it will make the system sound bad, and if it helps just a bit, then so be it. I guess my motto here is that I've spent $300 and more on a lot worse things in my life than this! If I do it, I'll let you folks know. Thanks for the inputs. This helps a novice like me quite a bit!

Have you biamped the NHT 4's? That might be a good way to increase the bass response.

The NHT U2 subwoofer system is really cheap these days and would be a sonic match for your speakers. That's two 12" woofers (very small cubes, sealed), an X1 crossover and an A1 amplifier. You can find them new on Audiogon for $800. Don't throw money -- buy something that's perfect once and invest.

dew.

great point dew. i have a 105w stereo amp that could run the top ends and use the 2 mono blocks to run the bottom. but i thought i needed to buy the NHT crossover. i'll call them tomorrow and see if they can answer that question.

Chewy-Get the Yamaha Yst-SW315. You won't regret it! :thmbsp: :thmbsp:

Best bang for your buck for $300.
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=2_41&products_id=406

Really, you have classic 4's? I also have them, and while they perform very very well, my main speakers (Classic 3's + a pair of W1 subs) bests them. If I were you, I would go with the U1 or U2 system to mate with the Classic 4's.

You should know that it will be a PITA trying to get those subs to integrate with those speakers, however. If I was setting this up, I'd either run the Classic 4's without subs, or get Classic 3's and mate them up with the U1 or U2 setup.

Feel free to PM or email me with any questions, as I have first-hand experience with those exact speakers and subs.

PS - If you get the Evolution subs, you NEED the X1 crossover, as it has extra equalization built into it to make the subs flat to 26 Hz.

I've got a couple of places that I can hear some of the subs tomorrow. A place for the NHT subs and a place for the Yamaha. I'm gonna go listen but the Yamaha won't be paired with my speakers so it feels a bit useless. Oh well, live and learn. Updates to follow next week!

...I'm a strong proponent of subwoofers as I have not heard too many subwooferless systems that couldn't be improved ...

I agree, low end support/enhancement always seems to be improvement. Many people (including myself early on) seem to adjust to limited low end extension (freq range and/or db level) with tower speakers for example, especially those with large woofers (my mains have 12" woofers). Just because a set of mains can reproduce say 30-40Hz tones, doesn't mean you will be able to hear it at the same db level as the rest of the music (i.e., spekaer low end extension it often is rated/buried at -10db or more).

Buy the right sub(s) and you will quickly learn what you have been missing. I purchased a very musical Yamaha YST-SW500 that uses some interesting tech to make a 10" driver work really well in my system. Some interesting tech to look for include a phase switch, remote control, adjustable volume and crossover, presets (for movies versus music). Great for music but not quite enough grunt for movies, so I bought a Yamaha's YST-SW1500.