Do I need the same sub?

[alkalinesi]

Hey guys, I have a quick question about adding another sub. As of right now I have a Polk DWS 600 Pro and I was thinking about adding another one. It seems like there aren't much deals on the 600 Pro right now but I did see the 500 Pro. The only difference I guess is the 12" sub for the 600 compared the 10" for the 500. I know a lot of people say match the sub, get the same one. But would it be that bad to have the 600 and the 500? or should I just get the 600? Thanks.

[Kryptonic]

Ideally you would want two of the same sub, but being that they're from the same manufacturer and the same style and design with the only difference being the size of the woofer, that would certainly be better than buying a different brand subwoofer.

[frogmort]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Ideally you would want two of the same sub, but being that they're from the same manufacturer and the same style and design with the only difference being the size of the woofer, that would certainly be better than buying a different brand subwoofer.

I have two different subs from two different manufacturers, but I made sure that they were both the same size. I think being the same size is more important than different sized subs of the same brand.

Hopefully Big Daddy will drop by here.

[Reference_head]

Originally Posted by alkalinesi

Hey guys, I have a quick question about adding another sub. As of right now I have a Polk DWS 600 Pro and I was thinking about adding another one. It seems like there aren't much deals on the 600 Pro right now but I did see the 500 Pro. The only difference I guess is the 12" sub for the 600 compared the 10" for the 500. I know a lot of people say match the sub, get the same one. But would it be that bad to have the 600 and the 500? or should I just get the 600? Thanks.

Using different subs can make it harder to get everything in phase, and dialed in (the two subs can fight with each other). I use 3 different subs from 3 different brands. And getting them all in phase and working good together took some tinkering. Unless you like that kind of thing (tinkering) I would stick to the same one if you can.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Reference_head

Using different subs can make it harder to get everything in phase, and dialed in (the two subs can fight with each other). I use 3 different subs from 3 different brands. And getting them all in phase and working good together took some tinkering. Unless you like that kind of thing (tinkering) I would stick to the same one if you can.

Tinkering is half the fun of this hobby.

I have three subs as well & they are all different sizes, 15" - 12" - 10" ... All 3 have the same brand aluminum drivers in them & they do not have plate amps. I run them off one of my XPA-5's & it was vary easy to have them all match & play together

[Reference_head]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

Tinkering is half the fun of this hobby.

I have three subs as well & they are all different sizes, 15" - 12" - 10" ... All 3 have the same brand aluminum drivers in them & they do not have plate amps. I run them off one of my XPA-5's & it was vary easy to have them all match & play together

I agree tinkering is a big part of the fun. Buts it’s not for everyone. Subs can be so picky. Sometimes it’s as easy as just setting it down and boom it’s perfect. So you run all your subs on 1 amp? How do you control the timing differences between your back two subs and your front one?

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by Reference_head

I agree tinkering is a big part of the fun. Buts it’s not for everyone. Subs can be so picky. Sometimes it’s as easy as just setting it down and boom it’s perfect. So you run all your subs on 1 amp? How do you control the timing differences between your back two subs and your front one?

I personally don't think there is any timing issue with them after hundreds of hours having them placed as they are.

When I run MCACC I have the 2 back ones unplugged. All 3 speaker wire lengths to the subs are the same. If there is a timing issue it is not something I have noticed or hear.

[Reference_head]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

I personally don't think there is any timing issue with them after hundreds of hours having them placed as they are.

When I run MCACC I have the 2 back ones unplugged. All 3 speaker wire lengths to the subs are the same. If there is a timing issue it is not something I have noticed or hear.

One way to check it would be to turn on one sub with a test tone using a db meter set to about 75db. Then plug another sub in, if the level goes up 1 or 2 db your good. Then unplug that sub and plug the other one in. Run this with every combination of two subs possible. Then do the same thing with all three one at a time. If you plug any sub in and the db level goes down (-) you know that sub is out of phase. With the sms-1 I just look at the screen but before that I used that trick to get all the subs at the highest output working together. If one is way out of phase in your set up like the front one. Since you use only 1 amp for all 3 subs your best bet would be to flip the + and – on the terminals. Which is the same thing as flipping a phase switch from 0 to 180(then retest) I was very surprised at how far off my stuff was cause it sounded awesome already.

[Beerserker]

Originally Posted by Kryptonic

Ideally you would want two of the same sub, but being that they're from the same manufacturer and the same style and design with the only difference being the size of the woofer, that would certainly be better than buying a different brand subwoofer.

I would rather see him get the same, or larger sized sub of a different manufacturer , than a smaller sized sub of the same manufacturer.

OP. You want a sub with nearly the same output capability and frequency response as the sub you currently have. Secondly you would prefer a sub with the same group delay as the one you currently have. With the DSW 500 you will get neither. Obviously the sub that gives you equal response, output and group delay will be the DSW 600. Also, I really think a 10" sub is out of it's league in HT, and 12's should be considered the minimum, unless you use quite a few subs, or use them horn loaded, or have a very small room.

There is price to consider as well though, and I don't really know the price difference you are looking at between the two. If you can get the 500 for a steal maybe you should consider, because it will add something. But to sum it up, if you cant find a deal on the DSW 600, I would look to the popular internet direct manufacturers and try to get a good 12+" sub in your price range, because when it comes right down to it, quality extension and output trump timbre matching in subs any day. I would not be afraid to have different subs from different manufacturers. If they were quality subs they would sound great.
.

Originally Posted by Reference_head

Using different subs can make it harder to get everything in phase, and dialed in (the two subs can fight with each other). I use 3 different subs from 3 different brands. And getting them all in phase and working good together took some tinkering. Unless you like that kind of thing (tinkering) I would stick to the same one if you can.

The brand of sub will have nothing to do with phase. Phase is an issue of the arrival time of signals played from different drivers. The signal from multiple drivers should arrive at the listener at the same time. You will have phase issues with any multiple sub setup where the subs are not equidistant from the listener, regardless of brand or type.

[Reference_head]

Originally Posted by Beerserker

I would rather see him get the same, or larger sized sub of a different manufacturer , than a smaller sized sub of the same manufacturer.

OP. You want a sub with nearly the same output capability and frequency response as the sub you currently have. Secondly you would prefer a sub with the same group delay as the one you currently have. With the DSW 500 you will get neither. Obviously the sub that gives you equal response, output and group delay will be the DSW 600. Also, I really think a 10" sub is out of it's league in HT, and 12's should be considered the minimum, unless you use quite a few subs, or use them horn loaded, or have a very small room.

There is price to consider as well though, and I don't really know the price difference you are looking at between the two. If you can get the 500 for a steal maybe you should consider, because it will add something. But to sum it up, if you cant find a deal on the DSW 600, I would look to the popular internet direct manufacturers and try to get a good 12+" sub in your price range, because when it comes right down to it, quality extension and output trump timbre matching in subs any day. I would not be afraid to have different subs from different manufacturers. If they were quality subs they would sound great.
.


The brand of sub will have nothing to do with phase. Phase is an issue of the arrival time of signals played from different drivers. The signal from multiple drivers should arrive at the listener at the same time. You will have phase issues with any multiple sub setup where the subs are not equidistant from the listener, regardless of brand or type.

It’s more than just placement. Processing speed of a different sub or even a sub design (port vs sealed) can all affect phase. I was just trying to keep it simple. With 2 identical subs the only issue will be placement (timing with each other)

[cyde]

It took a few hours of fine tuning & experimenting with sub placement, but I got two different units of different size & make firing in harmony. I'd imagine it being a lot easier if they're identical subs, but with a little patience you can get mismatched subs sounding great. As mentioned before wait for the resident subwoofer guru BigDaddy to chime in and drop some knowledge.

[slimdude]

Is it beneficial to use two subwoofers in a home theater because, I've been using only one, and the sub that I have is quite powerful.

[crazyBLUE]

Originally Posted by slimdude

Is it beneficial to use two subwoofers in a home theater because, I've been using only one, and the sub that I have is quite powerful.

This is taken from Big Daddy's sticky thread ~ http://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers/...justments.html

Two or more subwoofers are better than one: According to some experts, the way multiple subwoofers interact with the room is the single biggest factor in being able to get great bass in every seat of your home theater. Depending on your budget, you should use either two or four subwoofers. There is not much benefit from using more than four. Multiple subwoofers can reinforce each other’s bass response and will yield a smoother and more dynamic sound. If using multiple subwoofers, you must use identical subwoofers. Different models, even from the same manufacturer, may cause uneven response.

When using two subs, they can be placed in the front corners of the room close to the main speakers or one can be placed in the front and the other one in the rear. For even better bass and smoother frequency response throughout your home theater, use four subwoofers. As a starting point, put the four subs at the midpoints of each wall.

[slimdude]

Originally Posted by crazyBLUE

This is taken from Big Daddy's sticky thread`http://forum.blu-ray.com/subwoofers/...justments.html

Oh my goodness, I had no idea, after these many years! Thank you, that was quite informative... Well, I'm on a mission!