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PLACEMENT
You can try symmetric placement, keeping each subwoofer as close to the mains as possible. In
fact, I believe that best results will be realized only if the subwoofers are the exact distance from
the listening position as the main speakers. You can also achieve equidistance placement using
an asymmetric placement of the 2 subwoofers if you measure as outlined above, in some rooms.
This requires some planning, listening and testing, as all subwoofer placement techniques also
do. Tweak placement from these guidelines in small increments until you feel satisfied that you
have the best of compromises for your room.
Phase adjustment is also accomplished as outlined above, one subwoofer at a time. The
disadvantage of this configuration, in my opinion, is that with multi-channel audio sources that
contain LFE signal, this is what happens:
The mono LFE signal will be equally distributed to the front left and front right speakers, which
means that some of it will be fed to the mains as well as the subwoofers, resulting in a collapse
of the stereo effect. I've been chided for this (and many others) opinion, but I stand by it.
Of course, if you like stereo CD formatted, live acoustic types of music, this configuration
definitely adds to the listening experience with a sense of realism and added space, or air. I've
used this setup and found this to be the case.
DUAL SUBWOOFERS, REBASE ROUTING CONFIGURATION
:
This one is my baby. I devised the scheme, reasoned the advantages and tested the theory in
my 3,000 cubic feet multi-channel audio room over the past 2 years. Most of my comments on
this routing scheme are tested facts. The rest of my comments are pure bias...forgive me.
The idea is simple. Use one subwoofer system for discrete LFE playback, and another subwoofer
system for discrete redirected bass playback. The execution is a PITA because, apparently, no
preamp designer seems to see the merit in adding an output jack and a switch to the output
options.
YOU MUST HAVE:
1.
A DVD player that has 6 analog outputs (in other words, a DVD-A and/or SACD player).
2.
5.1 analog inputs on the Pre/Pro or Receiver.
3.
Analog bass management for the bypass mode, either built into the Pre/Pro or Receiver,
or, outboard, ala the Outlaw ICBM.
4.
And, of course, 2 powered subwoofers.
