subwoofer enough for these speakers?

[andrewturk1970]

hi all,

WOW, i am learning alot here on this board, and although new to the dedicated HT world, I am already well educated.

QUESTION for you experts.
as mentioned in a previous thread... i have the following speaker that i just bought:

Definitive BP7002 fronts
http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...oductid=BP7002

Definitive CLR 2500 centre
http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...ctid=C/L/R2500

However, i inherited a ENERGY xl-s10 Subwoofer (400wats max)

I know its older, but would it be a good match for me or would it be underpowered? I see that Definitive has a bunch...
one of which is 1500 watts and about $1200

http://www.definitivetech.com/Produc...=SuperCube%20I

What would be your opinion on this? If underpowered, i will buy the definitive instead....

thanks....

Andrew in Toronto

[TECHNOKID]

1. Subwoofer DON'T have to be timber matched to speakers therefore any brand subwoofer that produces quality low frequencies will do the job.

2. Power rating of any type of speakers can be misleading and should be taken lightly and shouldn't be the focus of your decision.

3. The size of your room and your personal likes will actually determine your power needs.

4. An actual auditionning of this subwoofer in the room you intend to use will determine if it satisfies your ears!

In conclusion, set-up with what you presently have, play your favorite CD and/or DVD and let your ear decide. If you have a test CD and an SPL meter, you can experiment for optimum set-up placement of your gear and measure the actual output and see if everything fills the room adequately.

[rick240]

I agree. Listen to what you have and if you're happy - do nothing.

If you are upgrading go to SonicBoomAudio for an SVS or a local Paradigm dealer for something in the DSP line.

[eljay]

However, i inherited a ENERGY xl-s10 Subwoofer (400wats max)
...
What would be your opinion on this?

Keeping in mind that you're trying effectively to reproduce low frequencies - not to outperform your full-range mains - hook it up and try it out. If it gives you the low-end grunt you want (it's rated at 100W RMS, 25Hz +/- 3dB), you don't have to buy another sub.

That being said, there's a whole lot of satisfaction to be derived from having an 325-watt, 18Hz (+/- 3dB) subwoofer (SVS' PB12-NSD) shake your house...

[Bent]

if you can try it first, then by all means go ahead.
But keep your expectations realistic - your '7002's and 2500 might appreciate something better.

[TECHNOKID]

That being said, there's a whole lot of pleasure to be derived from having an 325-watt, 18Hz (+/- 3dB) subwoofer (SVS' PB12-NSD) shake your house...

Heart quake are natural phenomenon in some area of the planet... You simply have to decide if you prefer shaking the house or watch a good movie. Eljay has finished his basement renovations and needs to "break in" his new HT room, I therefore understand why he would need a sub to create the heart quake effect Could this have been the joke that was "s-canned" out yesterday?

[eljay]

You simply have to decide if you prefer shaking the house or watch a good movie.

My subwoofer lets me do both...and that's no joke!

[Bent]

there is no reason you can't do both.

If I run a 800 watt sine wave test sweep at 16hz, I don't hear a thing from my subwoofer, not even suspension noise - but the dishes, china and wine glasses upstairs make quite the racket. Oh, there are also some physiologial effects from sustained operation like this - like nausea and blurred vision.

[eljay]

Cool...