Subs for Music

[RossK]

Pete (or anybody else),

I have a Marantz 2285B along with an NHT X2 crossover.

For strictly a near-field music-based system, which, in your opinion would be best?

1 VTF-1
2 VTF-1s (Ports facing about 1 foot towards each other)
1 VTF-2
1 VTF-1 + 1 MBM-12 (Ports facing each other again)

The sub(s) will have to fit under a decent sized desk. (I'll still have enough leg room).

I haven't bought them yet, but I'm planning on getting Paradigm Signature Series S1 monitor speakers. They would be mounted on the wall on either side of the desk. Right now I'm using Sierra-1s and an STF-1.

The room size is 14 x 13 x 7. The desk is about 20" from the corner and it cannot be moved.

The size of the VTF-2 is pushing it (width wise), and I'm not sure how much it will add over the VTF-1 strictly for music. The desk, where the sub(s) will fit under, is roughly 60" x 30".

I'm also considering sealed, but the ULS-15 would be out due to size constraints, so it would have to be from a different manufacturer unless you start selling smaller sealed subs. <-- I can wait if that's in the pipeline.

Thanks for any input!


Ross

[Pete_Hsu]

Hi Ross,

Will you be able to place the subwoofer(s) in the front of the room, and if so, will they have to be co-located or will you be able to separate them? Where exactly is this desk located?

I would go with a second STF-1 as the most cost-effective option. The vast majority of music program material (short of pipe organ music and sythesized effects) will not dip below the STF-1 operating range anyway.

A two way subwoofer system with MBM-12 and VTF sub would be fantastic too, provided that you can place the MBM nearfield and VTF farfield.

Perhaps the best system would be two MBM used with a true subwoofer.

Sincerely,

[RossK]

Hi Pete,

The only place in this room is under the desk, be it true subs or the MBM. There is no room for a subwoofer behind the desk (seat). 50" in width for one or two subs is the area in which I have to work.

The current STF-1 does sound excellent. I'm just wondering if the VTF-1 or combo would be even better in terms of overall sound quality. A dual MBM + true sub combo is a possibility with the MBMs to either side of the desk and the sub in the center.

The desk is in a bedroom, so there isn't much room with all of the other furniture.

Ross

[Pete_Hsu]

Tough choice Ross. For now, I'd just go with a second STF-1, with one on each side of the desk.

There is no doubt that an MBM + VTF sub would be a lot of fun. Even if you have to put everything under the desk, you can always place the MBM next to the true sub and run it in the 'Sealed' operating mode. And as you noted, two MBM's on each side of the desk with a VTF sub would be pure joy :)

[RossK]

Thanks Pete for your replies.

I'll probably save up awhile for the dual MBMs and a VTF-2.

Ross

[Pete_Hsu]

Cool, that will be a lot of fun Ross :)