Anybody using a 2.1 speaker configuration?

odysseyhk

I'm planning on setting up 2.1 speaker configuration to improve the overall sound quality.  Depending on the kind of music I listen to, I may turn on subwoofer.   I haven't heard much ching here mention about 2.1 configuration.  Appreciate experience sharing here.

I knew some audiophile would say "no way using sub-woofer for audiophile".  But based on my preliminary research, subwoofer design for audiophile do exist.  And could be a more cost effective bass improvement than replacing the speakers.  It could be an interesting experiment and will give it a try after looking into different options.  

It is likely that I will choose Hsu Research ULC-15.  ULC-15 is claimed to be subwoofer for audiophile with low distortion.  It is sealed cabinet with tight control.   It accept XLR input and I plan to have my second pair of XLR output of W4S ST-SE preamp connecting to the ULC-15.  Thank you!

http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/uls-15.html

odysseyhk

Any Ching share experience?  

ai_0301

Check-in  
I tend to run 2.1 more often than 2.0  


Shown in the pic
Let those DSPs to futher improve bass quality with both Mains & SW at the same time.   
I'd recommend to use DSP SW if affordable.   

breadvan

I am also interested in exploring 2.1 using stereo pre-amp with dual output, any sharing would be nice.  especially when the sub is being also used for HT.

beerboy

我之前用2.1 的.... jbl 4312 拍yamaha sw1000  

odysseyhk

ai_0301 發表於 2014-2-28 00:16
Check-in   
I tend to run 2.1 more often than 2.0  

Thanks.  I'm not planning to use DSP.  I would like to avoid digital/analog crossover.

I'm using ATC SCM19 with frequency Response (-6dB): 54Hz-22kHz"

So in this case, if I set the sub frequency range up to say around ~54Hz, probably I don't need a cross-over and have good bass.  With Hsu Research sub using a 15" woofer, a separate amplifier and a sealed box, likely to get deeper and higher quality bass.  

I hope somebody have done something similar to share experience.  Does it make sense or we have to use some sort of cross-over to get good sound?

ccscho

For music but not home theater,  I'll suggest you to match ATC speakers with the ATC subwoofers.  Although it's not a popular choice, please do try it with even the lowest model.

odysseyhk

ccscho 發表於 2014-2-28 23:11
For music but not home theater,  I'll suggest you to match ATC speakers with the ATC subwoofers.  Al ...

I have read the manual and ATC C1 Sub is actually recommend to set to 18- 54Hz to match with ATC SCM19.

So what it means setting up 2.1 is quite feasible indeed without crossover.  Just set up the upper frequency of the sub, volume and phase.

Thanks!

haha12

odysseyhk 發表於 2014-2-28 23:07
Thanks.  I'm not planning to use DSP.  I would like to avoid digital/analog crossover.

I'm using ...

ODysseyhk Hing

For home use, I think crossover is not mandatory for using Subwoofer in a 2.1 system

I have been using subwoofer with classical music listening for more than 15 years.  A high quality subwoofer with correct setup will enhance the completeness of sound stage. It applies to both bookshelf and floor standing speakers.

The pre-requisite is that the room accoustics should have reasonably linear response. Subwoofer could make the situation worse if there is booming at the low frequencies. Excessive corner reflections should be taken care of to improve bass clarity.

My first subwoofer was an active REL to partner with a pair of floor standing speakers capable to deliver 30Hz at -6db.  It is amazing to appreciate the improvement in bass resolution and the positive contribution to the sound stage for big orchestral pieces.  

nagramen

2.1 is difficult to be played well. For example, even if you use 2 subwoofers to get equal balance from amp, how to extract the low freq output signals with 分音器to feed them to avoid overlapping with the bass units of the 左右喇叭呢？

nagramen

玩Wilson Benesch torus 算唔算2.1 ???

odysseyhk

nagramen 發表於 2014-3-1 07:09
2.1 is difficult to be played well. For example, even if you use 2 subwoofers to get equal balance f ...

Seems like atc sub 2.1 also not require crossover.  It is not perfect but the overlap may not be a big issue practically.  Of course, need to try it out to be sure.

nagramen

the most difficult part to play 2.1 well is how to ensure the subwoofer and the speakers' bass units are in-phase and not overlapping at the low freq. Any successful setup that expert c-hings can name?

haha12

Odyssey and Nagraman Hing

For home use, the crossover is not mandatory and the phase issue is not as critical as we thought.  For the latter we are working with low frequencies (long wavelength)and therefore a few feet away from the optimal position may not produce significant audible differences.

The tricky part is the room accoustics that we should take seriously due to the highly restricted spaces in HK.  The best subwoofer is unlikely to breathe happily in a small room without proper sound treatment.

breadvan

I would think it is important to fine tune the low pass filter on your sub for 2.1 setting and to match the sub output to compliment the low frequency output of the main speakers, rather than letting the sub calls attention to itself.

nagramen

Agree that the key is to tune the subwoofer to compliment with the bass units of the 2 speakers. But it is easier said than done 魔鬼盡在細節。Maybe easier for WB Torus to work that way as the manufacturer has done the tuning in the design.

odysseyhk

haha12 發表於 2014-3-1 10:44
Odyssey and Nagraman Hing

For home use, the crossover is not mandatory and the phase issue is not a ...

haha12,

Many thanks for your experience sharing. I agree with you that phase matching in low frequency would be much less critical than high frequency.  When I have it set up, will try switching the phase and have blind test if there is audible difference.

Yes. The room acoustics would be key.   Comparing not having the bass with a book shelf, I like to try adding the sub with a low volume to have a more balanced sound but not try to make it a boom box.

haha12

Odyssey Hing

Pls share the findings with your investigations.

It is amazing experience if there is a chance to experience top of the line speakers, like Wilson Audio  and Kharma Exquisite  floor standers working seemlessly with subwoofer of the same brand. In most cases you may not observe its existence, but something is missing if the subwoofer is turned off.

odysseyhk

haha12 發表於 2014-3-2 06:54
Odyssey Hing

Pls share the findings with your investigations.

May delay this 2.1 plan for a while.  Will upgrade the power amp first.  

leoking

nagramen 發表於 2014-3-1 07:14
玩Wilson Benesch torus 算唔算2.1 ???

Nagraman hing

Why mentioning Torus? I have tried numerous of times try to fit the torus into a two-channel. But as of today, the big wheel is sitting right beside me covered with newspaper !