@Gasp3621 The XTZ does sound interesting
Do you think that there is a possibility that some of the basics are being overlooked though? And the recommendations for a bigger and better sub (by that I mean more expensive, louder, deeper bass extension) are too knee jerk without looking at the bigger picture?
The OP is building a 12ft x 12ft cinema room where the main speakers are Bronze 5's powered by a Denon 2400. A single BK XLS 200 should match that system well and fill that room with bass to pretty insane levels. If the OP is saying that there is not enough bass, do you not think that something else is wrong? In terms of placement / settings?
If it were me, I would be looking at spending the money on a better AVR, maybe the Denon 3400 with the better version of Audyssey and the app that can be used to measure and configure the sub and generally deal with bass integration better. And if the OP wants a loud cinema, maybe add some power amps to the main speakers to overcome the limitations of the AVR when driving multiple channels.
Then.... if still not happy, a second sub, rather than a different sub, might be a better use of funds?
Just some thoughts, what do you think?
What one feels is enough, is not the case for others. There is no rulebook which we should obey blindly. There must be good reason why members pay 1500£ - 3000£ for subwoofer(s) for their small space. When stepping up from living room system to "cinema room", you don´t see any tiny 300£ subs anymore.
OP has floorstanding models front and back which won´t be problem with blending larger subs and there is no rules that you can´t choose expensive subwoofers with cheaper speakers. Yep XLS200 might go "loud" for some in small room, but it still doesn`t have the same visceral effect of more capable sub. It isn´t real HT sub, internal crossover passed (av use) it was measured +-3db 36-200hz, so it`s quite typical tiny sub suited for music or lighter movie use in small space. What i mean is if one watches action/scifi movies loud most of time which has lot of stuff happening around 20-36hz and higher aswell, there is not enough output to feel/hear it like with larger subwoofer (remember XTZ can play every note louder with more force, not only the driver moves energy, but also two ports pushes air which gives you extra feel) and the distortion starts to creep in with the small sub when pushing loud those low frequencies. For some it will be enough, but when you hear something meatier there is no going back, for most people that is!
We all have different tastes and someone who calls himself as "bass head" likely wants even more than you & me. That´s why i would choose something beefier which might look odd for normal person, who might not have heard something like that before.
Better receiver would be ideal in many ways i agree as most likely one can get little more from the speakers and subwoofer sounding better aswell, there is enough reports to support this fact. Small room is likely even more problematic with low frequencies, so XT32 is good idea (XT still does something), but if one sticks with 5.1 system and doesn´t need new features etc., it´s hard pill to swallow swapping to expensive receiver.
I remember David from littleaudioshop said years ago MA Bronzes deserves 4000 serie (Denon) level receiver to sound best, he used to sell those so knows thing or two.
@fallinlight had similar Bronze 5 system front and back full of towers, he used Yamaha 3060 i think. AVF review used A3040 with Bronze 5.1 review and loved it with movies, towers being another step up from B2s which was used. So i think there is good chances to make many things better with higher receiver model. What is funny actually you don´t see reviews done with budget (300£) receivers, they almost always use some high level flagship.
And this is not the way people go in real world with the lower cost (~500£) speakers. Would be intresting to hear their thoughts when played thru both 300£ and 1,5£ receiver.
Two smaller sub vs. one better. While there are certain advantages with dual subwoofers when placed optimally and setup right example with XT32 (Sub EQ HT for duals), OP can´t place those two subs optimally there and neither he doesn´t have XT32. And going with dual XLS200 they won`t dig any deeper, you get the usual benefits of dual subs plus added dynamic headroom. If the idea is to have something truly cinematic, i don´t think adding extra XLS200 does the job. Quite similar story with one member as he got dual Bronze W10 (10" +10" passive driver per one) subs, he wanted more cinematic feel to he`s living room. I said to look for Monolith and when he got it, he was blown away and was puzzled why he didn´t make the change earlier. The XTZ would be very similar to Mono and outperforforming it some areas, so yeah my money would go to one better sub and later when wife is bribed with jewelry, then adding second.
Yep for nearly 30sqm room XLS200 is likely "little" lifeless, i have tried that with Gemini2.
Moving to 13sqm room will make difference surely and it will be more at home as the sub is designed for smaller spaces. He can wait and try that for sure. But it doesn´t change the fact if he wants some serious performance he would be looking something more capable designed for HT use.
CableGuy has
dual 12.17 in a ~15sqm room and he was blown away when Jag brought those to him (first page story). He upgraded from dual 10" sealed subs.
Here is pictures of the gorgeous room which got to front page of AVF some years ago;
My DIY home cinema (where the car used to live)