LSi9's With or Without Sub

[janmike]

I had a colleague over the other day to listen to music and at one point she indicated that in her opinion some of the bass was not there. The LSi9's were configured without the SVS PB12-PLUS - 2 CH only. The next day I configured the system to use the sub while playing music. I played with it for hours and came to one of two conclusions.

1) I did not configure it properly. I tried many levels.

2) I only like music in 2 CH.

Today I disable the sub for 2 CH and played the same music. The conclusion is that the sub will be used for video only. Am I missing something.

The music was by Josh Groban namely the title "My Confession".

[swchma]

Hey janmike,

I recently connected the 9's to my system and found them to be brilliant on the stereo mode, but need the sub to provide the bass that the 9's cannot produce. Foir the last 3 days I have not listend the system in 5.1 or cinima mode, the 9's by them self are that surrounding, but need the sub to fill out and feel the punch. Good luck.

[Lsi9]

If the lsi9 was a full range speaker then I say w/out sub is a good Idea but....it has limited frequency, I would keep the sub on for music.

[jm1]

I had the 9's for about three and a half years. During this time, I only had them running full range for about two weeks between selling some Def Tech subs and receiving my SVS subs. I preferred the sonic characteristics of the 9’s when relieved of bass duties.

I have always had the Def Tech and SVS subs located near (behind) their corresponding L+R speakers. Even when I had only one SVS due to shipping problems, the single unit was located behind the L speaker and provided excellent results. Until recently, I used the line level crossover included in the plate amp. I now use an external active crossover between the preamp and amp.

You do not provide any details so it is hard to determine if there is a problem and suggest any corrective action. Just guessing, but if your sub is placed in a corner, I would try moving it from the corner to a location within the boundaries of the L+R speakers and recalibrate. Corner placement activates all room modes which may not be ideal for music.

Keep trying as you should be able to obtain excellent results.

[Joey_V]

Had the 9s before and had it anchored by an SvVS 2531+, however, I could never get it to sound right. Probably due to peaks and dips in the FR of the SVS as a result of the room. Or it could be that the SVS couldn't keep up to my ears.

Not sure... but I preferred no sub after a while.

Joey

[Zero]

Hello Janmike,

There are a number of possibilities going on here;

First – you may simple be the kind of guy that doesn’t want or need a lot of bottom end. Before this woman made you self-system conscious, did you ever feel you needed more re-enforcement in the lower octaves?

Two – There is a good chance that SV just isn’t up to the task of mating well with your mains. The Lsi’s are by nature difficult to match well with a sub given their abnormal FR. While I have never owned SV subs, I have had a chance to tinker with a handful of their models. I really enjoyed their performance for HT, but always found they lacked texture, tone, and speed- all elements I consider crucial for stereo playback. Their forte seems to be trolling the bottom of the spectrum, not the upper to mid bass. In other words, maybe you wouldn’t mind a sub thrown into the mix if it were more suited for the stereo application.

A special note; There is a chance I just sucked at calibrating the sub’s - maybe it takes a level of patience/knowledge I don’t have… but its just my impressions.

[jm1]

Just for the record, I have the PC-Ultra model and have no experience with the ISD or Plus drivers. It did take some time to dial in the correct setting, but was well worth the effort. The room has always had some level of acoustic treatments and is currently at this level of treatment.

[Zero]

I've read numerous times that the Ultra sounds different than most other SV subs and is typically recommended for music-lovers. Would LOVE to gear my ears on the thing one day.

[Shizelbs]

Not that I have been exposed to all that many, but I have yet to hear an SVS sub that I liked with music.

[janmike]

I think I will do some evaluations this weekend. I do own another sub and that is an older REL STRATA I model. Perhaps the SVS is too much or I like you Zero, I do not hold the expertise to properly calibrate the sub.

[unc2701]

Try running the 9's full range, and bring in the sub around at 40hz, then dial the crossover up till it sounds right.

Also- how big is the room? have you tried moving around & listening for shifts in the bass?

[swchma]

Dude, put on the CD ERALDO BERNOCCHI, Harold Budd and play with sub and without and it wiil immediatly solve the problem. These speakers need the sub.

[janmike]

Try running the 9's full range, and bring in the sub around at 40hz, then dial the crossover up till it sounds right.

Also- how big is the room? have you tried moving around & listening for shifts in the bass?

The room is approx. 18.5 X 14.5. I need to find out if the Proceed processor can differentiate between subs. The REL for music and the SVS for VIDEO. Not both on at the same time.

[unc2701]

Can you get an SPL meter and a test tone CD? run tones in the 55hz-90hz range & wander the room while you do it looks for spike & dips in the response. It could be the room & the sub is just muddying things up more.

[organ]

I have a pair of 9's and I had a hard time getting it to blend in with my PSW650. I think I found the right setting at around 45-50Hz.

Yes, you are missing quite a bit of low end information when using the 9's without a sub. I believe the 9's cut off around 50Hz. Compared to my RF-35, which cuts off at the low 30's, I was able to hear the low bass that the 9's simply ingnored. But the bass on the 9's is very powerful and robust at the frequencies they're comfortable with.