Would i really need a sub? (Bookshelf speakers)

One More Solo said:
What are the speakers? As has been said, that might be a slightly skewed figure from the manufacturer.

Edit: I'm aware of some Monitor Audio speakers among others dropping to 40hz but they are about £800.
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ACOUSTIC ENERGY AELITE 1 SPEAKERS (PAIR) SPECIFICATIONS
Power handling (watts): 100 maximum (undistorted programme drive)
Sensitivity (dB): 89
Nominal impedance (ohms): 8
Magnetically shielded? Yes
W x H x D (mm): 186 x 291 x 231
Weight (kg): 6
Frequency response (Hz): 40 - 23,000
Biwireable? Yes
Connections: Gold-plated 4mm banana plugs
Bass port? Rear-reflex port, low turbulence design
Drivers: HF: 25mm neodymium tweeter with high dispersion diaphragm. Ferrofluid cooled and damped.
LF: 110mm mid/bass drivers with 32mm long throw voice coil, die cast chassis , high power, magnet system and lightweight alloy cone.
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as mentioned above, they dont give a figure for + / - db. i would assume its 6db if you are lucky.

they are far too small to drop that low realistically.

here is an example of some figures for speakers i own. notice how the response changes on how they measure it:

Frequency range
-6dB at 38Hz and 30kHz

-3dB at 42Hz and 25kHz

Frequency response
45Hz to 24kHz +- 2dB on axis

This is a much larger standmount with 3 x 7 inch drivers in each speaker.

car audio is not the same as home audio as normally the front components are in a far from decent sized cabinet to produce full range.
 
Hmmm, okay. Thanks. :)

I'm visiting a Hifi shop on friday and i'll test out a few speakers, see how things sound but i may end up going for a s/h sub later on.
 
Reality Bites said:
Even when demo'ing several setups around the £2000 mark, a cheap (£350ish) sub adds loads!
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It may add loads of sound but does it improve it? I appreciate that these things depend entirely on the individual and prefferences but in general I would say matching a cheap sub to a decent quality stereo is just going to make the sound noticeably worse as you loose the definition.

I guess the music you listen too makes a difference as well, if some heavy dance music is what you like the sub is going to be a much better option than if you listen to loads of jazz.
 
a1ex2001 said:
It may add loads of sound but does it improve it? I appreciate that these things depend entirely on the individual and prefferences but in general I would say matching a cheap sub to a decent quality stereo is just going to make the sound noticeably worse as you loose the definition.

I guess the music you listen too makes a difference as well, if some heavy dance music is what you like the sub is going to be a much better option than if you listen to loads of jazz.
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sorry that's just rubbish. You don't add a sub just to produce bucket loads of thumping bass. in fact with a correctly setup sub in your setup, you shouldn't be able to know where it's positioned etc. You should just notice a more full sound and that more of the low end from the track is there.

If all you listen to is jazz and classical then i agree that a sub isn't needed.

When i auditioned my kit, the sub added a great deal to the whole sound and improved things no end.
 
I've yet to hear a good speaker/subwoofer setup Hi-Fi, and these are setups costing several thousand pounds. It just doesn't sound right, you might get it to integrated at the crossover, but then have problems with room nodes/bass, as the sub just accenuates the room gain.

For AV though sub is essential and it's blending in well.
 
SideWinder said:
Sure.

Just wasn't sure if it mattered about the brand, Hz, size of the thingys (:o) etc.
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the size of the speaker and the cones used will depend on the sound you want and the room it's going in.

listen to a few in the price bracker you can afford and try floorstanders too. Don't forget that a £400 set of floorstander will be competing against a £300 set of bookshelf speakers.....when you've accounted for a good pair of stands.
 
Went for a demo today and started off with the NAD C320BEE as my chosen Amp and played around with the Wharfdale 9.1s and AE Aelite 1...spent around 30mins blasting out my favourite songs and got on quite well with the salesman..we spoke about higher quaility speakers and i ended up testing B&W 685s...and OH MY GOD, i was blown away, absolutely insanely..better really.


I ended up spending £570 for everything but he gave me £40 off the Amp. Extremely happy...even if i did got over-budget. :o
 
Yup, got the 685s...being delievered on monday fingers crossed. They had to send it to my card's address as opposed to my University. They truly blew me away. :eek:

I'm not using a CD player yet - i demo'd with my iPod and even then, it sounded amazing...dare i say, better than my AE £280 floorstanders.

Thanks for your help. :)
 
badbob said:
Did you demo some other speakers? And amplifier? If not way not?
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I demo'd...

NAD C320BEE
MARANTZ PM4400 AMPLIFIER

And for speakers...

WHARFEDALE DIAMOND 9.1 SPEAKERS (PAIR)
ACOUSTIC ENERGY AELITE 1 SPEAKERS (PAIR)
B&W 685 SPEAKERS (PAIR)

My budget wasn't huge when i set off and after doing a lot of research before, i was confident i'd find something i'd really like within the store. :)

I played a lot with the AE and Wharfdale...switching them over but keeping the same settings and same songs. They both sounded quite earthy with the sets i had - a lot of bass which is how i like it. I was talking to the salesman and he rated B&W and EPOS as the best there is...so i was tempted, asked him to plug in the 685s and i was sold...everything was so much clearer, more powerful etc. :)
 
the 685's seem to be the replacement to the old 602's.....

i loved my 602's....did everything i wanted. they could be subtle yet rock/dance with the best of them when asked.

the NAD amp is a good choice.....highly rated for the cash.
 
Mmm, i have the same Amp in my bedroom 70 miles away and i always hear very good things about it. The salesman tried to tempt me with another brand of Amp..sounded like Rolex..Rolant? I can't remember but it was a bit too expensive.
 
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