Howdy all;
Any thoughts or ideas on my getting another sub to partner with my KENWOOD THX SW-X1, which I will drive with my KENWOOD THX KM-X1000? the amp allows for L&R with separate outs. should I put one in front & one in rear or both in rear as L&R? I wonder if it is that important to match specs (within reason) with subs in general? After all you have said on THX I'm not sure if that's an issue for the match?
I could also drive it with the other out on the Yam & using it for the front. Any thoughts on that too?
Dougofthenorth (trying to use up all the empty outs on the Yam)
SPECS: SW-X1 passive subwoofer - Bass reflex, floor type; 1 x 12" cone; impedance 8 W (nominal; minimum not specified); sensitivity 85 dB/W/1 meter; frequency response 20Hz - 5,000 Hz (no tolerance given); 150 W maxaximun input power, 75 W rated input power; maximum SPL. KM-X1000 amp - 130 watts rms output per channel at 8 Ohms (Stereo); 270 watts rms output per channel at 8 Ohms (Bridged);

Yo,DoftheYAM: I'd get a matching Kenwood, or ditch the Kenwood and get a couple of Klipsch (have you heard the new 12" Reference line.... $2400 CDN each!), or Jamos. My own Klipsch is a powered 440 W, and it is smooth and non-fatiguing. I don't know enough about the Kenwoods to know if they are good, but definitely for subs I would want a match: the crossovers and the timbre would seem quite important in terms of keeping "holes" out of the sound floor. ... Mike

Boy, I hate to disagree with you again, Mike.

Timbre-matching is really not valuable in subs. Our ears can't distinguish well enough to even know where a sub is located, let alone variances in anything but frequency and power. Perhaps if one sub was very slow and imprecise and the other was near perfect (say an SV Sub), you could hear timbre problems. But even then you'd probably notice clearer, tighter bass from one, rather than being able to distinguish timbre issues. And the only effect this would have is to make you want to dump the less good sub, not like spacial issues with non-timbre-matched L/R/C speakers.

There are problems with location of 2 subs, the sound could actually cancel out in certain parts of the room, leaving holes in your room at certain frequencies. Sometimes the best placement is right next to each other, although that sounds weird, it works.

I'm not sure of the price of the mentioned subs, but it's hard to beat SV Subwoofers in any price range starting at $500 and up. www.svsubwoofers.com

Thanks for the input Guys; Spiky: I guess I should try to scrounge up another matching sub first. Yo MoftheOnk: Since it is a THX (when there was 1 standard) approved it must be a good sub, right eh? (heh heh). Re: holes in the sound floor, maybe if someone showed up at my door with his tool in his hand we could find out (hint hint) & also how the Video Essential compares to the Ultimate Platinum I just got. Also, an experienced "high end" ear would be able to give me a clue as to how the sub stacks up. As for "have you heard the new 12" Reference line..." no I haven't but they sure would be nice to hear! Say with a matching Klipsch 440W powered sub & driven by say an upgradeable Onkyo. Gee ..if only I new someone with a config like that, who would be willing to invite me over, I would be able to give you a first hand answer Mike!!
Dougofthenorth (DoftheYam?- no keptheYam)

Spiky: I'm glad you're at least talking to me... after my last post, in which I included no friendly disclaimers, I thought maybe... Anyway, thanks for clearing me up on that. The discussions on subwoofers on this site are often so long that I fall asleep before I get halfway through 'em (not that Larry goes on and on or anything ;-) ), so I always miss the part about timbre.

D-YAM: Let's meet at AudioTronic; we can listen to two Klipsch Reference 15" subs going at once and see if the change jumps out of our pockets, or maybe our fingernails will just vibrate right off. Sorry about dragging my ass on the "tool in hand" but I'm not necessarily "master of my own domain" at this time of year, ya know? :-) ... Mike

Mike:

Well, I would've responded to the other one, but it was over the weekend or something else where I didn't come back to the thread for awhile. By that time the points had been rehashed by several different people so there wasn't much point in bringing it up again. :)

UPDATE: The Kenwood THX sub & amp are gone! - they found a nice home where my Kenwood THX amp went.
I Got the Avia from Mike Riley (finally got to meet the fellow - he is a fine & wonderful person)
Anyway, the RX-V1 can't increase the sub's level (damn!) so out it went.I read up on & tested the YST-SW320 & brought one home - I am very happy with it & was rather impressed! The Ken was wonderfull to hear & look at but I needed something I could use!
If I continue to like it I will get a matching one!
Dougofthenorth

"I Got the Avia from Mike Riley (finally got to meet the fellow - he is a fine & wonderful person)"


Mike won't appreciate you spreading lies about him..
Everyone know's he's a rotten old speaker hack....

Right Mike? :) lol

Doug,

Would you please keep me informed about how you like the 320. I've been looking at it (in a catalog) myself, but don't have any way to audition one (or two? :) I read some rave reviews about the more expensive Yam subs, but you're the first person I know who owns a 320. Thanks!

-Bruce

Brett; nice to see you around again. I have had to figure out e-lingo such as IMHO, WAF etc. Sorry I wasn't in on the proper way to describe Mike in e-speak. Therefore, he is a REALLY rotten, VERY old speaker hack! (heh heh!)
Bruce; email headed your way.
Dougofthenorth

Update 2: YST-SW320 temporary - SW800 on its way.
Reason? - if 320 is great 800 will be greater?
Dougofthenorth (1000 Watts?!)

More important than watts and size of woofer is how tight and musical it is...(for me music is somewhat more important that movies)

If your looking for just simply bottom end then go with a velodyne, if you want musical go with either a Monitor Audio or NHT. IMHO

Matt; Thanks for the advice - you are pefectly correct re the Wattage. I decided on the 800 over the 320 not because of the Watts. I want to see if a larger more powerful SW can match the Ken. Also, in reviews some are faulting the 320 for music (not HT), but no negative reviews at all on the 800. Some weakness is noted concerning music playback, but I played around with the bass management on the YAM & directed it to the BOTH setting (Mains & SW) & since the RT-11's can handle it, it sounds great!
Dougofthenorth

I just want you all to know you're a bunch of... geeks! Nyah, so there.

(PS: Thanks for the compliments, Larry. D-Yam: I knew we wouldn't get along, right from the start.)

PS: Thanks for the compliments, Larry.


Mayhaps you meant Brett?

Larry
www.fineelectricco.com