Page 1 of Someone please convince me that I need a subwoofer !

Hey guys,

I`ve been thinking about adding a subwoofer to my home audio system recently, and I`ve seen a few bargains posted in these forums, which is tempting me further !

Thing is, I probably don`t need one. I`m currently using my Philips stereo system (which has a subwoofer port) to listen to music, and for sound from my DVD player (LG 4710). I`ve got pretty hefty speakers as it is (75, maybe 100 watts each), and they handle the bass really well, but I also get a little concerned when turning up the volume, just in case I push them a little too far.

Anyway, as I say, I just need a little bit of convincing to get myself a subwoofer. I know don`t really need one, as I don`t get the chance to pump up the tunes that much, but I am still sorely tempted...

Advice required !!


Thanks,

Brian

I would only get a subwoofer if you have a full DD 5.1 set up with amp and 5 speakers. As you are only listening in stereo you won`t get frequencies going low enough to touch a sub unless you use DD 5.1 or DTS.(well not much anyway)

And if you havent got a full DD set up, (thats Dolby Digital by the way) then thats where your money should be going Mr Elliott !!!! Trust me, its the business, you wont believe your ears. I love demo`ing my set up to mates who`ve never sampled DD5.1, bung on Saving Private Ryan, or any mooooovie with explosions and bullets, and wait for the enevitable comments, "wow, it sounds like the bullets are flying over your head" and "Jesus !!!!!!!!!!!!" when something explodes !! hehehehe. As for a sub, if you do go down the DD road, I`d recommend the Sony SA-WM40, its very reasonably priced (I paid about £180 for mine last year some time) and it rocks !!!

I have to disagree with you gingerone. Adding a sub to a music (stereo) system can really add to the listening plesure. With some pieces it is a must a must. I am not just talking about drum and bass here

All the best,

The 42%er.

Thanks for all the comments guys.

At the moment, I`ve ruled out upgrading to a Dolby Digital system, because its hard to get good use out of it, what with the neighbours complaining etc. Besides, on the rare occasion I get to crank the thing up, I`m usually playing tunes instead of watching films.

I`ve been really impressed recently by my friends` systems, which use really tiny speakers, but whose subwoofers make it sound extraordinary. The logic being that, with a pretty decent set of speakers that I have, the sound could be incredible.

So, I was thinking that a cheapish (£100 ?) sub would really make a difference on the ears. I`d certainly pay more if I could justify it, but that might be difficult without incorporating a Dolby system too. :)

Any more opinions would be greatly appreciated. And Westy, I know you must want to comment on this one !!


Thanks again,

Brian

If you do get one, then you might want to ignore the subwoofer output on the amp and run the speakers cables to the sub, then on to the speakers. This means you would use the sub do the crossover (i.e. the frequency where the main speakers stop and the sub starts) - most decent subs will have good binding posts for the speaker connections, and will have a variable control for crossover frequency. This way you can tune the sound based on your speakers, rather than accepting what Philips think should be the crossover freqency. Only pain is more cables :-( but worth bearing in mind when shopping....

Don`t think that you need to crank up your system to get the use out of your sub.

Even at fairly low levels, it will really add an extra dimension and richness to your music.

But lets face it, it is more fun to crank it up.

all the best,

The 42%er.

It definitely is !

In light of this, can anyone recommend a sub that would do the trick ? Obviously, its not going to have to be anything incredible, just enough to make it more than worth my while !


Cheers,

Brian

Brian, Brian, Brian, you really can do no better than the Sony SA-WM40, its slightly over your £100 budget, but Ive just looked it up and you can get it for around £145 now....... trust me, the extra £45 is worth it !!! Have a look at this site, its gives you an idea just how cool this little box of tricks really is, some of the reviewers go on about modifications by adding damping, but I havent modified mine and it sounds superb, even at low volumes.

http://www.epinions.com/Sony_SA_WM40_626383/display_~reviews

Not sure, if above will work as a direct link, I`m a bit thick re computers !!! lol.