Is Anti-mode worth it?

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

Raymond Lin

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Listening to music today, a repeating bass note, sitting directly in front of the TV there is a very pronounced bass note. This is basically my viewing spot. However, if I move 3 feet to the left or right that peak disappears. Clearly there is a boom where I am sitting.

I have done the Pioneer MCACC so do you think I should give the Anti-mode a go, are they really as good as they say or a waste of money?
 
They are great, the MCACC won't EQ the sub so the Antimode will do it for you instead.

You can have a trial of one, I did and I ended up keeping it.
 
Simple Answer

They are excellent !! - couple things bear in mind


The standard C model is what I have its excellent - newer models such as the S only has slight tweaks so check if you need it.
The cinema model looks interesting but you will likely have to order direct and postage cost is high - however the service is very fast.

Also it comes with an addditional low level sub cable but I didnt like the look of it and bought another of my sub cables (I use QED Reference - best I have used by miles) - worth thinking about as well

Its one of those purchases you wont regret for 1 second
 
I have never used Audessey - or owned an av amp with it in.

I think Audessey does the same thing so whether its better or not...... it is measueable however ....

I think if you have Audessey especailly the better models XT32 etc I wouldnt worry - however if you dont then its an essential bit of kit.
With the exception of a room that treated with bass traps - which is the best solution by far
 
It depends on the room if you are getting a spot with heavy bass in your listening postion it will help, you could experiment with moving the sub to different spots. I have two surround systems and in the livingroom the antimode made no noticable difference however in my cinema room it smoothed off a lot of boom.

You could download REW software and get a sound pressure meter to see what the bass is doing in the room, antimode only removes peaks it won't boost dips in bass.

I used this guide for REW from avforums.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/subw...ers/728289-tuning-your-subwoofer-rew-how.html
 
Dangerous Dave said:
It depends on the room if you are getting a spot with heavy bass in your listening postion it will help, you could experiment with moving the sub to different spots. I have two surround systems and in the livingroom the antimode made no noticable difference however in my cinema room it smoothed off a lot of boom.

You could download REW software and get a sound pressure meter to see what the bass is doing in the room, antimode only removes peaks it won't boost dips in bass.

I used this guide for REW from avforums.

http://www.avforums.com/forums/subw...ers/728289-tuning-your-subwoofer-rew-how.html
Click to expand...

This is all 100% correct and measuring the subs perfomance this was is the only real way way to get good bass performance as you cannot hear it how you can measure it / see it.

Its very lucky / unlucky if the antimode will do nothing in your room to help your bass. If all yuo are getting is nulls in the bass - move the sub.
The anitmode combats the peaks so you cna get away with corner placement which is a good way to get deep bass out of a sealed sub.
More often than not a dip follows a peak - reducing the peaks reduces the nulls.
The antimode - also reduces decay time - not by a huge amount but it all helps to give you tighter, more defined bass notes

The tradeoff is bad bass for other positons in the room - but you dont sit there ;)
 
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When I had an old REL sub the Antimode absolutely transformed its performance. It honestly sounded like I'd put a new sub in the room. One of the best things I've bought in my system.
 
Interesting to hear what you guys are saying but I doubt I will be getting one myself, just a bit pricey.

Would be nice to hear the difference before and after though
 
Well, I don't think I'll get the dual core one, £680 is way out of budget!

Between the £260 and £300, which one should I go for?
 
For single sub EQ you would probably want the 8033 Cinema

http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/anti-mode-c.htm (only £235 delivered from here)

you could go for the more expensive 8033 S which EQs up to 250hz (over 160hz of the cinema) however this is likely not needed as you will have a 80-100hz high pass filter set on your amp for the speakers and the LFE channel doesn't go past around 120hz.
 
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If you end up getting one of these, keep this thread updated Raymond :p

I've got a Gemini II with suspended floors beneath it and there's a definite peak around the listening positions on the couch! I'd pay more than i paid for the sub for it though, so it's going to have to be worth it!
 
All i can say is that running Audyssey on my amp has made a very noticeable difference so if its like that are better its worth it, just accounts for a less than perfect position and setup, gets rid of any boom from the sub and the whole sound stage sounds better.
 
There are 3 to consider depending on what you need

The standard C model is what I have and will run 2 subs. it has 24 filters.
This is more than good enough for most people

The Cinema is a newer model with more filters which is better however will only work with one sub it has 28 filters so a little bit better - would you notice that.... not so sure

The Dual Core is a full systems eq based product so it will eq the full range - not just the bass thats why its more expensive and needs a screen etc

The S-II model has 36 filters and a larger range - the more filters is better, dont see the need to go to 250htz.

My advice buy the Cinema if only using 1 sub or C if you ever think you will want to use 2 - unless you have the cash to buy the S-II then please report back how good it is
 
Let me know how you get on. I've had my monolith a few months now and it's fantastic. Do keep thinking how much better it 'could' sound with an antimode as well.

I will get one. Just the joys of owning my first house does like to through up jobs that cost £££
 
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