Only using Subwoofer for Movies

[MG42Maniac]

Hello,

So at the risk of sounding like a beta male, I need to try and keep the Mrs happy in regards to the new home cinema. She doesn't really appreciate decent quality sound but does approve of the OLED. So I have tried to make a few changes that make it less intrusive:

Order a large black IKEA besta unit (1.8m) to stuff all the AV gear in. It's big and black but hides most of the cables.
I changed the 601 S2 down to 685 S2 as they are smaller
I changed the CC6 S2 to a HT61 S2, this is a lot bigger but looks nicer apparently. Still too big though.
I have changed the rear Onkyos to B&W M1 mk2, these are quite a bit bigger but on the back wall so it's less in your face.

At this point, I was "warned" that my setup is now starting to look unsightly and bulky but it is "just about manageable". There is too much black everywhere. Other female visitors have also criticised the need for such a setup and said they would not let it fly in their houses.

For my unauthorized final change, I moved from a small Onkyo Sub to a BK XXLS400. This last change made a massive difference to the sound quality and gives a lot more weight behind everything, I am really chuffed with it. Sadly, this subwoofer is a lot larger than the old one and is overhanging the bay window recess by about 20cm. It does actually look some what excessive now that it is all in and there is a lot of "black boxes" everywhere.

Now, I fought my corner and everything is fine, apart from the subwoofer. Now, the front three speakers actually kick out a decent amount of bass, enough that normal non-movie viewing is fine. I am thinking that I could bring out and connect up the subwoofer and use it for when we watch movies. It is currently in a cupboard and takes about 30 seconds to connect up. This way I can enjoy it for movies (about once/twice a week) and then it does not spoil the look of the lounge the rest of the time.

Would this work okay? I was planning to just change the "Using Subwoofer" option in the Onkyo menu accordingly. It changes from 5.0 to 5.1. Nothing else will change, just the subwoofer will be plugged in when needed.

I know it's annoying and less than ideal but I need to try and live harmoniously.

 

[ubern00b]

I am in the same boat. I am being downgraded from a B&W 600 setup to a soundbar. I have nothing to advise on your questions, just wanted to offer some solidarity

 

[Haze]

I had a BK Gemini and loved it, but barely used it, I always found the center and floor standing speakers give bass for most situations, have sold it since, and can not really say I miss it

 

[james.miller]

All black gear is never a good idea, imo. the unit and the sub both come in colours other than black.

So at the risk of sounding like a beta male, I need to try and keep the Mrs happy in regards to the new home cinema.

Heh. You can remain alpha by letting her choose the colours.

Would this work okay? I was planning to just change the "Using Subwoofer" option in the Onkyo menu accordingly. It changes from 5.0 to 5.1. Nothing else will change, just the subwoofer will be plugged in when needed.

I know it's annoying and less than ideal but I need to try and live harmoniously.

It would work fine but geez I'd get tired of that quickly. How much vertical height do you have for the sub? something like an svs pc-2000 tube which stands vertically may be far less imposing as they have a tiny foot print at about 16" square. Shame they only come in black as well though

 

[signs]

https://www.divorce.co.uk/

 

[MG42Maniac]

I am in the same boat. I am being downgraded from a B&W 600 setup to a soundbar. I have nothing to advise on your questions, just wanted to offer some solidarity

haha, I knew I would not be alone in this. To be honest, she has been very accommodating so far both financially and cosmetically.

I had a BK Gemini and loved it, but barely used it, I always found the center and floor standing speakers give bass for most situations, have sold it since, and can not really say I miss it

I think because the 400 is a lot bigger it is more obvious when it is not there. I watched a bunch of test scenes and it's painfully obvious when it's not plugged in. I cannot live my life like this. I bought a detached house so I want to be able to enjoy bass!!

All black gear is never a good idea, imo. the unit and the sub both come in colours other than black.


Heh. You can remain alpha by letting her choose the colours.



It would work fine but geez I'd get tired of that quickly. How much vertical height do you have for the sub? something like an svs pc-2000 tube which stands vertically may be far less imposing as they have a tiny foot print at about 16" square. Shame they only come in black as well though

It's not actually that much of a pain to move, though it's pretty heavy, it may get tiresome but I think it's worth the hassle. I have plenty of height but will struggle to spend out even more money at the moment. Perhaps if I forgot to keep moving it back she might get used to it!!!??

https://www.divorce.co.uk/

I'd have to marry her first!

 

[signs]

[QUOTE="



I'd have to marry her first![/QUOTE]


walk away, walk away

 

[Mr_Sukebe]

You're not married and are already being "told" to downgrade. Good luck on that in the future...

On a serious note, I think it's the wrong approach. Instead of being small, find something that looks good and appealing, such that she likes them, regardless of size. The same for the sub (if you want one).
So for example, my speakers are anything but small, but at least have a front baffle made of a lovely cherry wood (NOT veneer I hasten to add). So whilst imposing, they're not just about black blob.
Either that, or simply draw in lines of demarcation, i.e. some things that are simply NOT negotiable.
In our house, I get the corner in a back bedroom for my PC gaming kit, and in the lounge, get my speakers and a corner for the pile of electronics. The rest of the house, she can do what she likes with.

 

[sk3lph]

You could try a bass shaker and hide it in your chair?

 

[lude1962]

could you disguise the sub, some sort of table cloth or other fancy covering and a nice plant on top?

 

[Washout]

would you need to recalibrate your amp each time to adjust for the sub not being there? So it can set it's crossover whatsits properly? As you can tell I'm an audiophile

 

[hornetstinger]

I had a BK Gemini and loved it, but barely used it, I always found the center and floor standing speakers give bass for most situations, have sold it since, and can not really say I miss it

1) your main speakers probably don't go that low
2) bk gemini is budget sub, only 10"

If you had a decent sub you wouldn't get rid of it and no way would say that speakers are similar to a sub and you don't miss the sub.

My main speakers are huge and they don't even come close to the room pounding bass from my sub.

Yes you would need to calibrate the sub and possibly run eq again.

The xls400 is a small sub it's only 12" sealed box. Compare it to svs pb ultra 16.

 

[d_brennen]

could you disguise the sub, some sort of table cloth or other fancy covering and a nice plant on top?

This would be my tactic to out maneuver 'er indoors

 

[Buffman]

How do you find the bk xxls sub? I was considering buying one (for a large room) , but it would fit neatly in the space I've got for it. Would be pairing it with tannoy eclipse range of 5.0 speakers and Denon 2400 amp.

Does it significantly improve on 5.0?

 

[hornetstinger]

How do you find the bk xxls sub? I was considering buying one (for a large room) , but it would fit neatly in the space I've got for it. Would be pairing it with tannoy eclipse range of 5.0 speakers and Denon 2400 amp.

Does it significantly improve on 5.0?

A good sub does help movies and music frees up power to other speakers.

The xls400 is a good sub however if it's like my 12" £500 sealed box I'd aim higher, especially for large room and for movies. It'll be perfect for music system but if you want to earth moving bass I'd loonat higher end sub. There is a massive difference between my two subs the higher end one is 13.5" 1000w sealed box

 

[Buffman]

A good sub does help movies and music frees up power to other speakers.

The xls400 is a good sub however if it's like my 12" £500 sealed box I'd aim higher, especially for large room and for movies. It'll be perfect for music system but if you want to earth moving bass I'd loonat higher end sub. There is a massive difference between my two subs the higher end one is 13.5" 1000w sealed box

To be fair I don't want it too physically large and generally I've been ok thus far with 5.0.

Would the bk monolith be a lot better? (slightly bigger)

 

[hornetstinger]

There are pros and cons of sealed and ported, imo

I've owned both ported and sealed and have settled on sealed.

 

[jpaul]

She doesn't really appreciate decent quality sound

your comment reminded me of this post I read recently - brought my appreciation back to earth then again who does

Hypnox- You seem to be hypnotised (pun intended) by sound quality. I am a video/ audio engineer with 50 years experience. I have installed hundreds of home theatre hif-fi and casino/night club PA systems.
As we age, our hearing deteriorates rapidly from the age of 12 onwards. In today's world with attendant noise pollution, headphone use, aircraft and motor noise and concert visits, our hearing is far worse than previous generations at an earlier age. Most people over 30 will have difficulty hearing any signal over 12,000khz.

There is a hearing testing app in the google play store, https://play.google.com/store/apps/d...diologia&hl=en using headphone/earbuds why don't you check your own hearing before embarking on a quest for excellent sound in your equipment, you could well save yourself a bundle of dosh and a heap of time!
As we age, the viscocity of the fluid in our ears gets thicker, which is why older people hate the boom boom of bass notes youngsters love so much, it literally resounds inside our heads and is painful. Older folks turn up the treble/high equaliser settings in a vain attempt to hear those high notes we once could hear. This in turn is painful to young people who cannot stand high levels of higher frequencies, because they can actually hear them!

When you try to put a high-fidelity sound system into a car environment, you are basically pushing **** uphill. As soon as you open a window, all the careful measurements an audio installer makes literally goes out of the window.
My advice, forget hifi in a car, it's is a nonsense. If you must have hifi in your car, use headphones and let someone else do the driving.
Sorry for the lecture, you don't want to get me started on the monster cable and oxygen-free cable rip-offs

 

[Dazstoke]

Put a nice pink cushion on the subwoofer,that should placate her

 

[hyperseven]

If she doesn't like the black carcass:
-get it 'wrapped', ask at one of those car places if local
-buy some fablon and DIY.

Both are non-permanent. Used fablon on a previous sub I had, went from Walnut to gloss white and turned out quite well.

Also if forward firing why not change the colour of the grille cloth.