Downward or outward firing sub?

[scottyule]

All

Just about to purchase a sub for my setup, and was wondering what the concensus was for going for a downward or outward firing sub.
The sub will be sat on laminate flooring to the left and infront of the main listening area.
Just wondering if having laminate flooring will make a downward firing model sound a bit echoey?

Cheers

[Dav1dF]

If the sub isn't going to be near the boundary of the room, you'd be better off with a downward firing sub.

[scottyule]

It will actually be quite close to the left wall, however the room only measures just over 4m x 3m.
Imagine 2 sofas at right angles to each other.
Main sofa on back wall, other sofa on left wall.
Sub will be going inbetween the two of them.

should be a pic below. TV is on wall to the right of the door.

Cheers

[Timbo21]

I would have thought a downward firing sub would be the best in your situation, rather than a forward firing, which may get obstructed by your sofa. After all, you wouldn't point your speakers at a wall, or your sofa. Downward firers are designed to have the floor near the woofer.

[chrisgeary]

I have used DF subs in room corners quite successfully in the past. Dav1dF what is your basis for suggesting that DF near room boundaries isn't good? And lets face it, in nearly every average living room, the sub is going to be placed at a boundary of some sort, be it a wall or a corner.

[Dav1dF]

If the sub is going near to a boundary wall you also have the option of using a forward firing sub more effectively. Try facing the sub different ways and note the results. Facing a sub against a wall will improve it's efficiency, but may have other negative effects. It's a case of trial and error.

[chrisgeary]

I think the short answer is that by and large its personal preference. I've owned both and I don't have a preference for DF or FF soundwise. Although visually I prefer DF. As sub-bass is mostly non-directional, DF won't sound echoey. You might find that the overall room response is different between DF and FF but I dont think one is necessarily better than the other.

[scottyule]

If I did have a FF sub, it would probably be facing outwards thorugh the gap in the sofas.
The main sofa is the one on the left so it would possibly radiate the sound across the main listening area.
Does this sound practical?

I was concerned that I might get a bit too much floor shaking if I went for a DF and might upset the neighbours a bit.
I suppose a DF sub does look a bit neater.
Any ideas on a top DF sub for around the £250 mark?

[AngelEyes]

DF or FF won't make any difference, your neighbours will still hate you.

If memory serves the BK XLS200 is around that price or is it the Gemini? Both get good reviews here

http://www.bkelec.com

[skinnyfat]

It shouldn't really make that much difference. If it did you would have to consider whether it's ported or sealed and then if ported, where does the port vent to (against the couch, onto a wall) - Flame wars, flame wars

[Dav1dF]

Originally Posted by chrisgeary

Dav1dF what is your basis for suggesting that DF near room boundaries isn't good?

At no point did i state that a DF sub wasn't good for a boundary wall. I stated that a FF sub will be more efficient when faced against a wall or corner, as would a DF sub.

[scottyule]

Was thinking of going for a Wharfedale SW150 (ff) (great reviews in the past), stretching to the SW250 (df), or just noticed the MJ Acoustics pro 50 (df) (5* what hifi Nov 2006).

All under £270.

[Timbo21]

Originally Posted by scottyule

Was thinking of going for a Wharfedale SW150 (ff) (great reviews in the past), stretching to the SW250 (df), or just noticed the MJ Acoustics pro 50 (df) (5* what hifi Nov 2006).

All under £270.

Don't believe 'What Hi-Fi', especially when it comes to subs. The BK XLS 200 comes direct from the manufacturer, so none of your £250 is going to the retailer. It's all being spent on the sub. BK used to design subs for Rel. Hundreds of forum members must have bought a BK. Never heard a bad word, and no doubt the very best you will get for your cash.

[scottyule]

Unfortunately in things like this you have to listen to someone with adequate knowledge.

You'd never buy a car from a dealer without asking what it was like first would you or maybe reading up a bit about it first.

Where can I see / get the BK subs you've mentioned?

cheers

[russ.will]

TBH, you'd be better off with the XLS-200. BK are the OEM for MJ Acoustics and as such, you'll notice some remarkable similarities across the range.

The nearest direct comparrison to the XLS-200 @£289, is the Ref 200 @£650. The Ref 200 sports a digital display and remote control, whilst the XLS-200 boasts an additional 75 watts which in practice is more useful than the other features. The price difference therefore, is the slice taken by MJ, plus the slice taken by the high street retailer.

So, would you rather line their pockets or get your full moneys worth?

Russell