Stand alone Sub?

WillSpengler · 4 May 2008 at 00:22

Anyone make any that are good, anyone have any experience with adding a sub to a 2.0 speaker system?

Really tempted by the Creative T20 and T40 speakers, but I don't think they could replace the depth you get in a sub (even though they are ported)

Could always get the KRK RP10 to go along with my studio monitors, but you dont really want a sub influencing your mix! And it would probably be a bit overpower for use with PC speakers

gt_junkie · 4 May 2008 at 09:48

I would say you could find a few from any company that does home audio. Monitor audio, kef, etc make smaller yet nicely capable subs.

Connection should be easy enough - as i'm sure you already know many can connect inline so the PC (as an example) would plug into the sub and sub would pass the signal onto the speakers via its own output. These types of subs normally extract the frequencies the sub uses so the standard speakers sound doesn't clash.

Alternatively, you can also split the signal to both the speakers and sub but you'd have to spend some time integrating the response of the drivers so they don't conflict.

My GF uses a set of T20's and i've been very surprised at their low end capability - i can only imagine that the T40's are even better. I personally use Logitech Z-10's and they do even better than the T20's at the low end. Could be worth a look if you are strapped for space.

gt

WillSpengler · 4 May 2008 at 10:22

The Z-10's look sleek! Really like the layout there, and they dont suffer from the same issues that I have with the T40 (bright LED and rear power switch). Don't know if im so keen on the lack of dials on the front tho.

Main reason im interested in the T20 and T40s is because of the looks, how vain

tom_nieto · 4 May 2008 at 11:08

How much cash have you got to spend in total? There's no point in getting some cheap PC speakers and adding a cheap sub to the mix, it'll sound rubbish.

You say you've got studio monitors... why not use those?

WillSpengler · 4 May 2008 at 11:54

Studio monitors don't sound so great in games and general useage IMO.

Often hear people saying studio monitors are designed to sound bad so that when you get a good mix on them you know it's going to be good on decent speakers

(ok, not totally true, just the completelly flat sound isnt that great for everything)

Don't really have a budget per say. Not wanting to spend too much. Was more thinking of getting a pair of T20's or T40's (or Z-10s) and possibly adding a sub later. Was just wondering really if anyone else had gone down that route.

gt_junkie · 4 May 2008 at 13:24

To be perfectly honest if you're wanting a sub and the deep/physical bass it provides for games and movies then don't buy seperate. Get something that has been designed to be used together.

The Acoustic Energy Aego series speakers would be perfect. They're stylish, the sattelites are compact and they sound excellent from the reviews and comments i have seen - they even come in a choice of black or white:

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=SP-001-AE&groupid=702&catid=22&subcat=

gt

Nick1881 · 4 May 2008 at 13:35

I second gt_junkies advice, the AE speakers really do sound great, sound quailty wise as good as the amp and polk audio speakers im using now.

james.miller · 4 May 2008 at 13:45

WillSpengler said:
Studio monitors don't sound so great in games and general useage IMO.

Often hear people saying studio monitors are designed to sound bad so that when you get a good mix on them you know it's going to be good on decent speakers

(ok, not totally true, just the completelly flat sound isnt that great for everything)

what on earth :confused:

at least if the speakers are as flat as possible then you can tweak the sound to your liking. studio monitors make very good speakers if you have the set up correctly. ie, you're sitting near-field as intended. i use little genEXXA pro x7's when im sitting at my desk and they really take some beating. they dont extend down much past 30hz but they just sound fantastic.