Full-Range vs. Compacts with Subs

[jdebonth]

[PHC1]

Originally Posted by jdebonth

I actually would like to keep the discussion as general as possible so that others can benefit. Let's say in context of a medium sized listening room, not huge and not tiny. Something like 15" x 17"? A room where the full-range models mentioned just have enough room to breathe.

Edit: variables such as budget, music type, room specific constraints, etc hence do not play a role. 2 channel listening only, not interested in audio/video.

My room was almost identical to the dimensions you mentioned. I've had all different scenarios. Full range, monitors, monitors+sub, monitors+2 subs, monitors+2 subs+active crossover.... While some full range speakers can be dialed in pretty nicely assuming they do not overpower your room and were not designed for bigger spaces to begin with... The monitor+sub/s route yielded results that I was even happier with and truly impressive in terms of bass integration, coherency and authority of the low end. Imaging, soundstage and balance was much easier to achieve and integrate with monitors and dialing in the subs. Of course there are exceptions to every rule but I think in general, for a room of medium to smaller size, the monitors+sub yields more success.

[AudioNut]

I have both types of systems and agree with most of what has been said above. I think the biggest difference in my experience, with my systems, is the ability of a large full range system to fully fill, activate, and engage the room with music when the music itself is huge and dynamic. The full range system is also (often) capable of projecting a larger soundstage when I'm playing large scale recordings.

I listen mostly to classical music, vocalists, and jazz, but assume that the same would hold true for rock music.

For small groups and intimate music, the two systems are about equal, but for that type of music, I often prefer the smaller system (Sonus Faber Guarneri Mementos with a ((one)) JL Labs F-112 sub). A second sub-woofer might make this system come closer to the huge dynamic range of the full range speakers - Many here have said that a second sub makes a big difference.

I love both types of systems and, to me, it often depends on the type of music I'm going to play when I make the decision about which system to listen to.

I honestly feel that if I were going out to purchase a system and didn't already have a bunch of stuff, I would give a very serious look at a good pair of monitor type speakers with subs - Probably because of the flexibility offered by that combination, usable in more in home situations, more wife friendly, not as necessary to have a dedicated listening space, more adaptable to existing living room or "den" types of environments and furnishings. And, they sound GOOD.

[o0OBillO0o]

The design shouldn't be considered in your judgment if you are looking for absolute sound quality.

Room Acoustics. Then full range audio, what ever means necessary.

[jdebonth]

Bill, you are saying that full range vs compacts + sub is not the key factor, rather room acoustics to achieve best sound quality?

[Rmac]

What it sounds like to me.

I recently aded a sub to my full range mains, I'm happy.

The difference is subtle, yet substantial.

[Jeffatus]

I dont know how much this helps, but my wife really preferred the visual imprint the standmounters had vs. the floorstanders. They look much sharper and the bass is going to be better with a subwoofer. The trick is obviously to get a well paired sub/speaker combo

[MrAcoustat]

Whe are a bunch of friends here in Quebec Canada that own Acoustat's full range speakers and none of us own's subwoofers, why buy stats if you want cone speaker bass ????? does'nt make sense, whe don't want NOISE whe want music.

[Rmac]

^ Nice!

[jfray]

Originally Posted by MrAcoustat

Whe are a bunch of friends here in Quebec Canada that own Acoustat's full range speakers and none of us own's subwoofers why by stats if you want cone speaker bass ????? does'nt make sense i whe don't want NOISE whe want music.

Awesome!!!! WOW