Giving The Sub The Boot

[Beakman]

Just for the heck of it, I decided to see what I'd get if I were to cut the sub/amp/crossover out of the picture altogether on my system. This would be the first time listening to the speakers with the full signal after building and placing my bass traps.
Conclusion? Well, the traps are doing their thing very well, AND the Vantages are more coherant in transitions to the low signal, both by the bass traps and just inadequate intergration of the sub. Rather than put everything sub related on a shelf though, I may just get a better crossover and a driver that will go down to the mid 20's Hz.

 

[JonFo]

Amazing how the absorption of room modes radically improves low-frequency balance in the room.

If the sub is detracting, then you are correct, you need to better configure the crossover and just as importantly delay and phase.

It could be that the sub energizing other (very low freq.) room modes whose harmonics are interfering with what the Vantages are putting out.

For instance, in my room, even after extensive treatments, I still have a room induced resonance at ~20Hz. So I have to EQ to reduce that particular peak.

In my book, it takes BOTH room treatments as well as EQ to fully integrate a sub. Tools like the Velo SMS-1 and other low-freq. room correction are highly beneficial.

Soon, the SMS will soon be joined by the long-gestating Audessey based unit from SVS: http://www.svsound.com/CES2007/SVS_AudyessyRelease.pdf

Thread on this unit here: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=793007