the learning curve

[slr9589]

I was playing around with my setup last night when it dawned on me,...Why not add the powered sub woofer to the mix.?!
went and lugged the big ole Sony 90 watt,12 inch SW to the Yamaha a/v receiver..this has new Klipsch RB 61's attached and a Pioneer pl-518 TT...Viola! Adele's 21 album came alive!!!

why didn't i think of it sooner? and i think what speakers offer bass as satisfying as the SW?

[Zaimejs]

An audiophile friend of mine says he never uses a subwoofer for music... only for movies and such.

I have my Boston A-100s and they dole out the bass... much more satisfying than when I change my system to Dolby or another setting that incorporates the sub. What are your front speakers? I'm not judging... just telling you what I've heard.

[slr9589]

Thanks for the reply..
my front speakers are Klipsch RB 61's,vintage 2011...i would dearly like to try a 12 or 15 inch woofer model ie the heresy or cornwall....
this is my setup in my bedroom,carpeted floors,drapes etc...14 by 20 room with 8 foot ceiling.

[Tedrick]

Size of the woofer does not always indicate how deep and/or powerful the bass will be. Size of the cabinet and type of enclosure have as much or more to do with bass performance than woofer size.

As an example, the Heresy's have a 12-inch woofer but only reach down to about 58 Hz. There are numerous examples of speakers with 6, 8, or 10-inch woofers that will reproduce sound much deeper than that.

[duficity]

generally, a larger woofer will be slower, perhaps muddying the sound. A smaller woofer can be quicker and cleaner and more in sync with the midrange and tweeter. However, there are plenty of exceptions. But cheap speakers that slap in 12" woofers generally sound bad, with lots of cabinet vibration and boomy, one note bass.

[slr9589]

Points well taken....Now what would you add to a tube system circa 1961. I have a 30 watt Stromberg/Carlson that has been fully rehabbed.
the speakers from 1961 are long gone and most people say get a highly sensitve type...but which one?...An old JBL,an old Klipsch...i am all ears!
thanks for the reply

[moray james]

Points well taken....Now what would you add to a tube system circa 1961. I have a 30 watt Stromberg/Carlson that has been fully rehabbed.
the speakers from 1961 are long gone and most people say get a highly sensitve type...but which one?...An old JBL,an old Klipsch...i am all ears!
thanks for the reply

A pair of Forte ll or Quartet would be an excellent choices for the money and size if you like a fifteen inch woofer a Chorus ll would be the way to go. All three of these speakers use the same mid horn. If you want a better mid horn then look to either a KLF20 or a CF3 and if you want to move air in a more serious way look for the KLF30 or the CF4 which use dual twelve inch woofers. Note that the KLF20&30 use poly tweeter diaphragms and they should at the least be immediately replaced with phenolic diaphragms or better a set of new titanium diaphragms. I would also highly recommend changing out the phenolic mid diaphragms for titanium versions from Klipsch. There is much which can be done with these speakers but I think that you would be thrilled with any of them. There is lots of support and info at audiokarma and at the Klipsch forum. If I had to pick just one three way it would be the KLF20 and if I had to pick just one two way it would be the CF3. Look forward to seeing you there. Take the plunge you will not be disappointed. Best regards Moray James.

[moray james]

Size of the woofer does not always indicate how deep and/or powerful the bass will be. Size of the cabinet and type of enclosure have as much or more to do with bass performance than woofer size.

As an example, the Heresy's have a 12-inch woofer but only reach down to about 58 Hz. There are numerous examples of speakers with 6, 8, or 10-inch woofers that will reproduce sound much deeper than that.

The rwelve inch woofer used in the Heresy is running in a sealed box volume of about 1.9 cu. ft. The same woofer in a Forte cabinet (roughly double the volume) will easily see you down to 32 Hz. The Forte uses a 12 or 15 inch passive (depending upon the version). Reflex cabinet designs are also available for Heresy woofers. Typically high efficiency woofers are low Qts designs which will require larger volumes to tune low when compared to a higher Qt design driver. If you want high system efficiency you will have to go with large woofers at the least multiples of ten or larger. Best regards Moray James.

[slr9589]

i have an opportunity to purchase a pair of Forte's that are in good condition(i have not heard them) for 500.00 . Was there a significant between fortes and forte II ?
i would appreciate anyones input....

[midfi]

the Forte 2 has a 15" radiator over the regular Forte's 12 inch. The crossover points changed as well I know for sure but I can't remember the exact value. I think the Low pass went down about 50 Hz lower and the High pass went up about a 1000 higher. I had both in years past and I remember the bass on the 2 being a little stronger but I liked the original better but this was thru an old Dynaco ST-70 so YMMV.

[Zaimejs]

How do you know how low your speakers can go?

JW.

[slr9589]

I think if I am going to invest a small fortune in speakers that i will go for a new set of Heresys. E-Bay can put you at a disadvantage judging a set of horns you've never heard. 20-30 year old electronics will need repair....
Buy new,get a warranty and a manufacturer that embraces customer support.

[jake]

How do you know how low your speakers go?
Most test records have tracks that allow demonstration of every frequency.
Downside?
You may find that it is your hearing that doesn't go so low no mo'.

[vinny]

wish i read this before..... my experiance is ,to use, when practical mass amounts of power for a sub to blend in . i use car audio subs powerd by a huge commercial amplifier,(3000 watt, 100 pound), that blow circuit breakers. sounds low class but i contain it in a seperate room with portholes cut in the dry wall. i tried to use less power and/or powered subs of many brands and the sound got muddy and seperate with the exception of movies. these days its about being compact,neat and fancy. unfortunatley low frequency calls for more and always did. NO, i dont listen to rap music. classical music sounds amazing ! its not practical but if you try it you will be amazed