Two Subwoofers

[Hashpot]

Im getting the Onyo HTS790B system and the subwoofer doesn't have enough 'juice' for me. What conection am I looking for to connect a 2nd woofer? And the Sub that comes with the system is not magnetically shielded so does that mean im going to have to place it the back? I dont really have any space on the sides because the TV (Hitachi 50'' 50v720)Is on the corner of the room.

[Dusty Chalk]

There's a really detailed tutorial in the last issue of Absolute Sound (the one with the two subwoofers on the cover) of how to place one's subwoofer.

[royphil345]

Actually looks like a pretty nice little system for the money...

It seems the receiver is pretty standard... Will probably have a single RCA preamp output for a subwoofer.

You could use a Y-adapter to split the signal for two subs, which can effect the sound quality some in my experience, although many people do this. Or... some subs have an output to daisy-chain an additional sub.

If you get a better sub, you may find it's not necessary to have the original hooked up at all. Might just ruin the clarity / musicality of the better sub.

A fellow Hitachi owner!!! Hitachi is OK in my book... I have an aging Hitachi 55" rear-projection. While the picture's of course not as sharp as on the newer sets... It still looks good. Maybe even more theater-like than some. Never had a lick of trouble with it... knock on wood...

What sub are you thinking about? I'd suggest taking a look at the Sony SA-WX700. It's powerful, it goes low and it's far more musical and accurate than you'd expect for the reasonable price. A definite upgrade, yet not overkill for your system. It has an output for an additional sub as well. Don't bother with the single-driver, ported Sonys that all sound a bit boomy to me...

Oh and... Since your speakers are on the smaller side... your crossover frequency to the sub will be pretty high. Higher frequencies are easier for your ears to trace where they're coming from. Your sub will sound better as close to front and center as you can get it, especially for 2-channel music. Not magnetically shielded means it may distort the picture if placed too close to the TV. You'd just have too see if you could put it where you want without causing problems. Sometimes you gotta' do what you gotta' do to fit a system into a room. The results aren't always terrible.

[Robert-The-Rambler]

1. A fellow Hitachi owner!!! Hitachi is OK in my book... I have an aging Hitachi 55" rear-projection. While the picture's of course not as sharp as on the newer sets... It still looks good. Maybe even more theater-like than some. Never had a lick of trouble with it... knock on wood...

2. What sub are you thinking about? I'd suggest taking a look at the Sony SA-WX700. It's powerful, it goes low and it's far more musical and accurate than you'd expect for the reasonable price. A definite upgrade, yet not overkill for your system. It has an output for an additional sub as well. Don't bother with the single-driver, ported Sonys that all sound a bit boomy to me...

1. I have a new 65" Widescreen CRT Rear Projection HDTV with HDMI. It looks great!!! Who cares if it is 300 lbs? Who am I to judge? <>__<>

2. I have 3 Sony SA-WX700s behind the HDTV. The bass is thunderous without being boomy and it is not sloppy. More subs working less hard just sounds better. Actually I also have 2 18" Pyle DJ Subs being driven by a Behringer EP2500 amplifier with 450 watts each in the corners of the 20' * 12' room.

[filecat13]

Regardless of the brand of your equipment, having multiple subs provides a number of benefits. In addition to the article already mentioned above, the pioneering work in this area was done by Harman International as revealed in this white paper presentation:

http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/multsubs.pdf

I found this immensely helpful and benefitted greatly from following the overall process.

Good luck as you look for the perfect bottom end! (Keep it clean.)

[westcott]

Regardless of the brand of your equipment, having multiple subs provides a number of benefits. In addition to the article already mentioned above, the pioneering work in this area was done by Harman International as revealed in this white paper presentation:

http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/multsubs.pdf

I found this immensely helpful and benefitted greatly from following the overall process.

Good luck as you look for the perfect bottom end! (Keep it clean.)

Ditto!

Make sure they are on either side of a null or centered on two opposing walls to reduce room mode interaction. As said by others and the article, it provides better coverage for multiple listeners, like those found in a home theater.

[audio_dude]

2 subs will greatly reduce your "Dead spots" as well as increase the volume and quality of your bass

[Dusty Chalk]

2 subs will greatly reduce your "Dead spots" as well as increase the volume and quality of your bass

...if set up properly, if not set up properly, you will have more dead spots (more like dead bands). So count me amongst the naysayers.

[twochannelsonly]

agreed, always use 2 subs whenever possible

[audio_dude]

well, one sub is fine if placed well, but for dedicated stereo... i'd say two is best.

(if not, then single one should be placed in middle)

[Rock789]

using physics, one could argue both sides...

for simplicity, I would suggest purchasing a single better sub...
what is your price range?
check out parts express for some sub kits which are very nice...

edit: this being said, I am building 2 subs with 12s for my ht... (and have 2 10s right now)

[orgasmdonor]

In my experinence....I have a 20x25 ft room in the basement. One of my SVS subs could handle it with no problem. I purchased the second and stacked them. l immediately noticed a gain in pure depth. I link that to the amount of air two quality subs can push. You also gain decibles (around 3). If you just want one sub make sure that it can MORE than adequately push enough air per your room size. You always want to make sure you have more than you need in the bass area....given all the different ways and times things were recorded.

[Dusty Chalk]

Hey, you should try this: unplug the bottom one. Adjust the volume so that the top one is pushing the same amount of air that the two together were.

My suspicion is that getting the sub up off the ground made the bigger difference than getting a second one. Getting a sub up off the ground is a known improvement.

[westcott]

Harman International's testing has shown that placing subwoofers at opposing locations gives better coverage of the room for a wider listening area, and if placed midway of each wall, excite fewer room modes.

http://www.harman.com/wp/pdf/multsubs.pdf