I have tried(and still do use) stereo subs. While I try not to dispute what people say they hear, I know for a fact that the cues that represent soundstaging are not found in the bass frequencies. Phase information is not easily discerned in the bass region, and few sources have directional bass. Movies come to mind as the only sources that contain bass in multiple channels. Classical music may contain stereo bass, but it takes a specific microphone placement to make it audible, and the acoustics of the recording venue may prevent it from sounding discrete enough to be interpreted as stereo. If you hear any stereo information, it is likely because of audible harmonics associated with the fundemental bass tone. You may be able to feel the direction of the bass wave, but I seriously doubt you can hear it.

I will admit the possibility that my mind is tricking itself. If it is, it's doing a great job! So for now, I'll reserve judgement. What advantage do you attibute to stereo subs? Followup: How do you look at it differently due to Richards' input? I have to admit, he gave me a lot of advice early on, but I have to learn the hard way - stubbon like a ........?mule? lol

Are you getting you bass from a sub channel, or from the mains directly?

Current setup:
Preamp -> active crossovers (24db slope, all outs in phase) -> +80hz to amp, mains; -80hz to amp, subs.

I would say any directionality that you experience would have to come from the mains. You may perceive some directional bass in very large rooms, but the size of most listening spaces prevents any phase variances between channels from beng heard in the deep bass region.

Again, I will reserve judgement but continue to observe? with your input in mind.


Oh straighten up your bloomin posture my good man. Chin up, gut in and all that rubbish

Yessir! But I don't know if I can get my gut in anymore......

Pete