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Wayne and Group: I have been reading the latest thread regarding sub placement with interest. Is a subwoofer(s) recommended for a 2 Pi Tower? I have never hooked one up and would need some extensive 'hand holding' to go through the process.
Re: Subwoofer Recommended for 2 Pi Towers?
You could use three π subs but that might be overkill. You could also make some subs with Alpha 10's, same as are used in the two π tower. The main thing is to have several bass sound sources. That averages the sound field in the modal region.
Wayne: I am still confused. Do you recommend subs for 2 Pi Towers? If so, what do I need to consider if I wish to add a sub (or subs) to my system? This whole speaker/crossover/sub thing is rather new to me. While I could build a set of cabinets from you basic plans for my speakers, I am not able to intoduce subs without some more information. If you prefer, I can contact you by email. Thanks.
I don't run subs with my two π towers. When you asked about subs I gave some suggestions as to what could be used, but don't take that as a recommendation either for or against using them. The multi-sub approach is a strategy that smoothes the energy distribution below the Schroeder frequency in any room. Because of that, it is a useful improvement for any home hifi system. On the other hand, I'm not sure I see the advantage unless used with mains that provide a uniform reverberent field. Speakers like the three π, four π and π cornerhorns generate a wide pattern that provides spectral balance throughout the room. They cannot, however, do much about room modes. The best thing to do to make energy uniform in the modal region is to have a well damped room and/or use distributed sound sources below the Schroeder frequency. When that is done, the energy distribution is spectrally balanced through the entire audio band over a very wide listening area. Most speakers work best on-axis, and are not designed for uniform coverage over a wide area. In this case, the best place to listen is on-axis with both speakers. Other positions may not be unpleasant, but they generally aren't flat either. That being the case, it might be overkill to add a couple extra subs to smooth the modal sound field throughout the room. It wouldn't be completely unwarranted, because it would probably smooth the sound at the on-axis point too. But the multi-sub approach is done for uniform coverage, not for a single spot. The one π, two π and two π tower speakers are designed for on-axis listening. They don't sound too bad off-axis horizontally, but they don't provide constant directivity. I generally like to remain within about 20° horizontally and at the same height as the midwoofer, no higher than the tweeter and no lower than the bottom edge of the midwoofer. That's where the one π, two π and two π tower speakers sound best. The two π towers generate nice deep bass. They don't really need the extension from adding subs. And they aren't designed to cover a wide area, so I don't think multi-subs make sense. I don't run them with my two π towers. To me, thet sound great, all by themselves.
Ok , What about 8-Pis ? do they need subs ? THANKS
Bass from the eight π is deep and full, much like the two π towers. So you can certainly enjoy them without subs. But these speakers are a step up, in that they do provide uniform directivity. They can be placed in corners, much like a π cornerhorn, or they can be positioned along walls like four π speakers, possibly toed-in 45° for imaging. Since the reverberent field is uniform, it would be nice for the modal range to also be uniform. That means multi-subs would be an attractive setup to go with them.