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Hehehe.....isn't it always the case that we think what we have is great until we hear something much better. After my speaker purchase 4 months ago, I can't afford to hear anything better for awhile. Late last year I did try SVS's sub EQ (AS-EQ1) but was dissappointed with the results. At first I just thought I wasn't use to "flat" bass, but the low bass just seem to be missing. Some of my favorite classical recordings that have bass much like I remember hearing in live performances sounded downright anemic with the EQ. So I ended up returning the sub EQ to SVS.Of course there's also the question of preference. It very well could be that I don't like a flat bass response.Perhaps when I have the funds and the motivation I might try one of the EQ's that allows you to customize the curves to one's preference.In your opinion, would the best performance boost value come from EQing my existing sub or upgrading the sub itself? I don't want to derail this thread, so please PM me (or we could start a new thread).BTW, to answer your last question, I seem to get the best response by setting low pass to 80hz and high pass to 125hz. This gives me a nice smooth transition from the HT2-TL to the sub.
I often wish I wouldn't hear better. It would save me a lot of money and stress. It's tough when you have friends that are in the hobby and contribute to your hearing better all of the time.
.....I honestly think any system could benefit from a sub. I think the OP should go the sub route without question, but that is me...
I am a firm believer that one can and does develop a preference with sound. For example, many people like a bloated bass sound. For movies, bloated is fun, for music, it is unacceptable to me. I think we get used to various sounds and can certainly be trained to enjoy properly tuned systems. If someone doesn't want that, fine by me.
I'm not at all familiar with the SVS AS-EQ1. I've heard it's a very nice piece of gear, but it is too much money for me and you have too little control. I agree with you that the best option is an EQ you can customize the sound to your preferences.
Thus far my favorite EQ is a Behringer Feedback Destroyer (1124P). The price is low (~$100.00), it has 10 parametric filters, and it's very flexible. The only issue with it is that it's ugly. It's not a piece of gear you proudly display in your rack. I'm currently using a Velodyne SMS-1, and it's ok. I'm thinking about moving back to the Behringer, but I'm not sure.
Anyway, we could take any further stuff to PM. I'll PM you later on whether to upgrade your sub or not. I will just make a quick comment that only YOU know the answer to that question. If you're happy with how your sub is working, I'd say stay happy and keep it!
To my ears my SVS 16-46PC+ (powered vented cylinder sub) integrates very well with my HT2-TLs. No sub EQ, btw.
That's awesome! I've had my SongTower's and DIY subs in three rooms now, and not until my current one was I able to remove the PEQ from my system. The other two rooms had large peaks in the midbass. TJHUB came over to my home and we experimented with subwoofer placement, and the second spot we tried followed the REW 24dB slope octave curve perfect, so I was happy to remove the Behringer 1124p. I am very fortunate, and it sounds like you are as well. But as TJHUB mentioned, sometimes we just don't know until we hear better. In your case, I'd try working with what you have, adding an EQ device that allows more customization. Also, using a piece of software like REW, in which you can actually see what's happening, is pretty crucial IMO. The only problem with REW is it is advanced, and many people get scared away. I'd be more than happy to help you (or anyone) complete the initial setup, though. Once that is completed it's as easy as pie to use.@ BRM - LOL! Well, I won't blaspheme God, but I'll happily do it concerning the 2-channel/subwoofer debate. After all, audio is just audio, and is based on subjectivity more than anything. An active design may be the best solution for the purist IMO. After all, if you (we) are supposedly purists, wouldn't that mean we need to take the room out of the equation to be taken seriously? What the room can do to the overall sound quality is far more detrimental than adding a subwoofer output and sub, no?P.S. This is a good conversation, so let's keep it public unless the OP requests otherwise.
Blasphemers!!!
Very good read. I've had many PM's with Nuance about the possible integration of a sub to my ST/RT's, but my tube preamp choice (AVA T8) along with my severe lack of knowledge to all of this EQ/measurement stuff keeps me thinking that I'll eventually just purchase HT2-TL's for the added low end I'm looking for even though it's probably the more expensive option.
If I decide to give sub EQ a serious shot, you and TJHUB will be the first people I contact for help. Better yet, wouldn't the two of you enjoy a nice relaxing vacation in SE VA helping a fellow AC member fine tune his system......... If you need help I'll be out back by the pool.
As we are talking about preamps and bass management, how would one switch between movies and music for the sub with a preamp like T8? Manually pull and change cables?
Unfortunately, yes. You'd need a preamp with HT bypass. There are dozens out there, but none offered from AVA that I am aware of. Wouldn't something like this work, though?http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=71464
I just saw that Frank FINALLY gave in and is offering home theater bypass on his preamps. It's only a $100.00 upgrade. I'd do it in a heartbeat. Frank just put his preamps back on my list of consideration for the future. I saw some have sent there existing preamps back for retrofit. It works with the preamp powered off too!
Yep, that's what I thought about the AVA pre-amps.OK, even if one used the manual way, does it have a high-pass for the main speakers? I didn't see any info about that too. The questions might be more suitable for AVA forum I guess Yes, that's certainly good but still a bit of hassle for the sub, and I am also not sure about HP for the mains.Any other decent tube pre-amps out there with these features?
There would be no HP filter on the AVA preamp even after adding HT-bypass.The best solution I've found for preamps without bass management (like mine) is using FMOD's as a high-pass filter for your mains. I use them and they work great. They are also the least degrading filters I've been able to find. Search "FMOD" at Parts Express.
Wow, thanks! Had no idea such products even existed! Am curious how they perform compared to electronic crossovers in pre-amps that do have HPF, like the Parasound 2100 or AV receivers?
I just picked up a pair of the 50hz high pass, im pretty interested in the quality. I will post my thoughts.
8.3k, will the FMOD have any issues?
You're welcome. They are cool little filters and work well. One of the best features of these little guys is that you don't need to use another pair of interconnects with them. I ran a 2100 for over a year. The FMOD is a very similar filter and performs nearly identically to the filters built into preamps like the 2100. For ~$26.00, they are worth a try to see for yourself how they work. Just know that you need to know the input impedance of your amp to properly size them. If you need help, let me know.
