Do I need a sub or am I too small?

[Gordon]

I have never thought about getting a sub before, but I have recently felt that when I watch a DVD, I don't get the same buzz from the soundtrack and feel something is lacking (i've probably got used to the current sound).

I have the Yamaha 596 and the Kef Cresta speakers (2's for the front & 1's for the rears). I am really chuffed with the speakers but I am now considering adding a sub. My concern is that my room is 12' x 17' and wondered if a sub would be too much for the size of the room.

I suppose the question is this: Is a sub really only much use in large rooms? And is my room too small to really get the benefit.

I don't want to go out and spend £150 - £200 on one and have the output turned down low.

Cheers
Gordon

[MikeK]

While there's not really a limit set for what is considered a small room, typically one measuring 10'x 10' or below would be considered small.
(and a square room is also another issue).

At 12' x 17', yours is comfortably into medium size (although by definition, medium size covers a fair spread). Given you choice of speakers, I would suggest that a reasonable sub would indeed give you benefits with movie soundtrack playback.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with Kef Cresta speakers as such, but even the Cresta2 will struggle to reproduce the necessary bass for convincing LFE in a movie soundtrack. Providing you don't like deep pounding bass in your music, they may be fine without a sub for CD playback though.

The issue of subs and room size is a complex one, but very generally speaking, it's small subs for small rooms, and large for large rooms (but there will always be exceptions - these are very loose "rules" and should be used for guidance rather than slavishly adhered to).
In your room, I would suggest one of the 10" relatively compact subs - something like the Paradigm PDR10 for £150 from Richers, or the Tannoy MXSUB10, soon to on offer at about £180 from UpgradeHeaven (with a 5yr warranty).
There's also a Kef sub at Richers, the PSW1000, which some refer to as the Cresta sub, (it's about £150) but I think you'd be better with one of the other two, to be honest.

[Justin]

Originally posted by Gordon
I have never thought about getting a sub before, but I have recently felt that when I watch a DVD, I don't get the same buzz from the soundtrack and feel something is lacking (i've probably got used to the current sound).

I have the Yamaha 596 and the Kef Cresta speakers (2's for the front & 1's for the rears). I am really chuffed with the speakers but I am now considering adding a sub. My concern is that my room is 12' x 17' and wondered if a sub would be too much for the size of the room.

I suppose the question is this: Is a sub really only much use in large rooms? And is my room too small to really get the benefit.

I don't want to go out and spend £150 - £200 on one and have the output turned down low.

Cheers
Gordon

If you are pushed for size, yamaha make some small but adiquate subs for £150ish. www.yamaha.co.uk

[Gordon]

Hi MikeK

Thanks for replying, you've definately gave me something to think about.

Cheers
Gordon

[SOUNDSTYLE]

I have a smaller room than you and have a REL Q100E which produces just the right ammount of low end.

As I like my music aswell the REL is the best for both worlds.

If you have enought funds I would go for the Q200E which has a lot of excellent reviews.

[Vinny]

Originally posted by Gordon
Re: Do I need a sub or am I too small?


I ask myself that question everyday ! :D :p :D

[Spikey]

My lounge is roughly the same size as yours and I run Tannoy M3s and M1s. I added a Paradigm PRD10, one of the ones MikeK recommended, and it has made a huge difference to my film watching.

It adds just the right about of deep bass for me, enough to feel but not enough to worry the plaster too much, and most importantly doesn't boom.

I don't use it for music as I don't like that much bass from music. The M3s are floor standers though and therefore produce more bass anyway than your 2s.

[Gordon]

Cheers Spikey, I'm definately gonna look at this sub (that's if I can get into the H.C section of Richer's site.

[MikeK]

Originally posted by Gordon
Cheers Spikey, I'm definately gonna look at this sub (that's if I can get into the H.C section of Richer's site.


Richers don't sell Paradigm on-line, so it's a personal visit, or a call to the sales dept (I believe they will do mail-order on them).

They also do a Mordaunt Short MSB20, which some on these forums have said is quite good, but I've never heard it - it's the same price as the PDR10.

Then there is the Paradigm PS1000, at £200.
Different design (and it needs a bit of space at the rear to avoid boominess), but it can certainly hit very deep, and will rattle the window frames of that's what you want. (I use one of these).
If you can accomodate it, it's a bit better overall than the PDR10, but there's not a huge difference.

The Tannoy shouldn't be overlooked though. Being a sealed box design (rather than ported) it's very easy to integrate into most systems, - this design suffers the least from boominess (if that's a problem in your room), and usually has the smoothest response, but it can come at the expense of outright slam.


PS - pound for pound, I still think the PDR10 is a hard package to beat for the price. Providing you aren't expecting REL busting performance for £150, there are few people who have bought these and been disappointed.