Can Large Floorstanders Replace Subwoofers?

tony @ suffolk · 14-03-2010, 1:23 PM

I'm contemplating changing my main stereo speakers for a pair of very large floorstanders which have a pretty stupendous bass performance. There's a slight snag (!) in that SWMBO is not keen on their size. They are pretty huge in comparison to my current floorstanders but I'd dearly love them.

As a way of pacifying my dearly beloved I've suggested we could get rid of the couple of Naim n-Subs I use in the 7.1 surround system; the new speakers actually go lower than the subs. My worry is, I've always used subs of one sort or another in my A/V systems & I'm not sure if the biggies will be an adequate substitute.

I don't envisage problems driving them bearing in mind I'll be losing a couple of amps in the subs, but I was wondering if anyone's done something similar & what results they've had.

Nimby · 14-03-2010, 2:17 PM

Are you thinking of the Naim DBL?

tony @ suffolk · 14-03-2010, 2:41 PM

How did you guess Nimby?

misko · 14-03-2010, 7:00 PM

In 5.1(7.1) I dont think its a good idea of getting rid of subs,as there is .1 channel which is subwoofer(Lfe)channel.
In stereo you dont need sub if speakers are able to play down low.

misko

Russell.Williams · 14-03-2010, 7:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nimby

Are you thinking of the Naim DBL?

It was a pretty logical conclusion Tony.

Russell

Nimby · 14-03-2010, 7:58 PM

When one is considering the likes of the DBL the rules go out the window.

The only potential problem is whether your room can cope with DBLs as the primary sources of your bass. You don't have the freedom to move speakers about as you do with subwoofers.

Nimby · 15-03-2010, 6:18 AM

NAIM DBL

17Hz (-3dB) is the equivalent of a pretty decent sub and you will have two. (by default) Whether they will "move the earth" for you on films is another matter. It would depend on your room gain characteristics.

DolbyDan · 15-03-2010, 9:01 AM

Can Large Floorstanders Replace Subwoofers?

With those speakers without a doubt, but it will take some mighty power amps to feed them!

tony @ suffolk · 15-03-2010, 9:36 AM

Thanks guys. Dan, I'll be using the DBLs active with 3x NAP500 amps so I don't anticipate any lack of oomph!

I think the answer is to do without the subs for a bit & if later on I decide something's missing I might be able to sneak one back in under the radar.

AngelEyes · 15-03-2010, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony @ suffolk

Thanks guys. Dan, I'll be using the DBLs active with 3x NAP500 amps so I don't anticipate any lack of oomph!

I think the answer is to do without the subs for a bit & if later on I decide something's missing I might be able to sneak one back in under the radar.

Hi Tony,

I think I would be more concerned about the interactions between the speakers at the lower end of the frequency response. As Nimby alluded, if you can't move them around much, you do risk incuring some nasty room modes. Subwoofers tend to be more flexible in terms of positioning which is one of their advantages.

It would be frustrating to spend a lot on lovely new speakers if you couldn't get them to integrate well.

Adam

tony @ suffolk · 15-03-2010, 3:06 PM

Hi Adam,

I guess that's another unknown; mitigating the loss of being able to alter positions of the subsonic source is that I'm pretty restricted anyway on where I'm allowed to have the subs, & my room is good acoustically so I wouldn't anticipate any "nasties".

Really, I guess in the end stereo performance is rather more important to me than surround sound & I just hope the latter isn't unduly compromised.

Anyway, if you're ever passing...

AngelEyes · 15-03-2010, 3:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tony @ suffolk

Anyway, if you're ever passing...

I fear for my wallet if I ever do make it to yours, thank you for the offer though

.

Adam

Moonfly · 15-03-2010, 4:20 PM

Ive not had a look at the DBL's (no time ATM), but I would assume a high spec'd speaker will have a dedicated bass driver and independent binding posts. It might be possible to power these drivers from a 2 channel power amp thats fed from the .1 LFE out of a processor, although it would possibly require the bass driver to be in its own segregation within the whole cab. This would allow bass management of this area from the processor, and also allow for the implementation of electronic EQ should you desire it. This will go a long way to remove placement restrictions issues.

Just a thought

FWIW, I yet to put a sub in line with the front pair and see a bad response.