amp or sub?

[dougr]

ok... been looking at amps for a while now until I got the new receiver in place (HK 340), and am happier than I thought I'd be with it. It vastly improved the sound for my RT5s and sounds very good with the RT16s I just got up and running today. So, having listened to the RT16s for a while now, I am happy with the sound, and am questioning if amplification or a sub will improve the sound of the system more. The 16s sound wonderful with the HK from upper bass through higher frequencies and vocals, imaging and soudstage are more than I had hoped. The low end reach is pretty good on its own, but I do notice it having trouble keeping up with some of the lowest freqs in some classical music... if I had to guess based on the instruements that sound great, I'd say it is very nice down to 40Hz. The difference in sound between a crappy receiver and the HK is substantial... so now I'm wondering if a good amp will produce the same kind of difference (have heard here that the 16s crave power), or if I should go with the a sub to clean up the low end and set the crossover around 60Hz.

So... amp or sub?

[cfrizz]

I say BOTH are important to have. So start saving more money & flip a coin.

[Early B.]

Get a sub.

[G-2]

Get a sub.

yea, and start saving for additional WPC!!

[venomclan]

Both are important but the sub will be an immediate improvement. No amp will make the bass go lower than the RT16 can go which I beleive is 37hz. A more powerful amp will tighten up the bass and make them less muddy.
Get a sub that will mate well with the RT16. I had a PSW150 (10", 200 watt) I used with the RT16 and it was very good. The Outlaw subs or SVS are probably your best bang for the buck.
V

[G-2]

You're on a budget, SVS B-stock are some great deals, and good for folks on a budget...

I am not associated with SVS other than owning one of their subs (which I LOVE)