syzygetic
Active Member
I've googled around a bit, but found no particularly satisfying explanation for something I'm observing subjectively.
On my desk, I have a pair of ELAC DBR-62, driven by a pair of NC400 (DIY) monoblocks. I've owned this speakers for a bit, and I got familiar with them in this very environment, tuned to the room.
Recently, I added a Genelec 7060B to this system, crossing over to the DBR-62 at the native 85Hz. I re-did room correction in REW after matching levels, and the resulting integration is really wonderful. This is not my first subwoofer, but it's the first one I've had in a while, so I am not accustomed to quite this much impact from a visually small system.
That said, the impact I've noticed most is in the midrange. Vocals, horns, cellos... all above 85Hz, and yet all are improved by the offloading of the bass frequencies to the subwoofer. They are not merely more prominent, there's more perceptible detail.
Is this a function of distortion which was previously present in an overburdened small speaker, now free of responsibility below 85Hz? Is this a function of directionality, with the sound at these frequencies emanating from above my desk while the subwoofer handles the rest from another location?
I can't explain this effect, and yet, it's not subtle. The response curve to which I'm correcting hasn't changed, I was using a Harman house curve before the subwoofer introduction and I'm using the same curve after, I'm just more able to deliver those low frequencies at a high SPL.
Also, in case anybody is debating a subwoofer purchase, let me dispel the notion that 120W is insufficient. In a room of 12x12 with 14ft ceilings, the 7060B is unbelievable. I love this thing, and I paid very little for it second hand.
On my desk, I have a pair of ELAC DBR-62, driven by a pair of NC400 (DIY) monoblocks. I've owned this speakers for a bit, and I got familiar with them in this very environment, tuned to the room.
Recently, I added a Genelec 7060B to this system, crossing over to the DBR-62 at the native 85Hz. I re-did room correction in REW after matching levels, and the resulting integration is really wonderful. This is not my first subwoofer, but it's the first one I've had in a while, so I am not accustomed to quite this much impact from a visually small system.
That said, the impact I've noticed most is in the midrange. Vocals, horns, cellos... all above 85Hz, and yet all are improved by the offloading of the bass frequencies to the subwoofer. They are not merely more prominent, there's more perceptible detail.
Is this a function of distortion which was previously present in an overburdened small speaker, now free of responsibility below 85Hz? Is this a function of directionality, with the sound at these frequencies emanating from above my desk while the subwoofer handles the rest from another location?
I can't explain this effect, and yet, it's not subtle. The response curve to which I'm correcting hasn't changed, I was using a Harman house curve before the subwoofer introduction and I'm using the same curve after, I'm just more able to deliver those low frequencies at a high SPL.
Also, in case anybody is debating a subwoofer purchase, let me dispel the notion that 120W is insufficient. In a room of 12x12 with 14ft ceilings, the 7060B is unbelievable. I love this thing, and I paid very little for it second hand.