Stereo Bass vs Dual Mono Signal Subwoofers

Stereo Bass is the idea of 2 subwoofers producing different signals (one left, one right) and I understand the intention. However, if it is a left and right channel, when one channel goes silent, the dual subwoofers are no longer working together to tame the peaks and dead spots.

I think the best part about dual subwoofers is ironing out the sound, and to do that properly I think they need an identical signal and gain.

Separated main channels deliver the sense of things happening around you, so the goal is to separate the signals and separate the perception.

With dual subs, the purpose in my mind is to separate the bass sources in order to unify the perception in an even fashion. Under 80 hertz it's harder to localize, or tell where the bass is coming from, so the actual benefit of having a stereo bass situation is lost on me.

Thoughts?

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Subwoofers should reproduce quality sound with authority throughout the humanly audible bass spectrum (20-100 hertz). Most do not. I'll tell you about the subs that do so with good manners.

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Here is the setup at the time of upload:

Provided on a demo basis by SVS:
Towers:

Surrounds:

These surrounds are more budget friendly:

Center:

Dual Subwoofers:

LG 4K 3D that I replaced previous Vizio with a Square Trade type warranty. Love the LG, some issues aside.

Measurement Mic for use with Room EQ Wizard:

Room EQ Wizard (free, donations encouraged, use earplugs!):

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[KeithMacRowland]

I think you're right on the money. I'm bi-amping my tower speakers and driving the woofers with mono sub-woofer outputs, set to 100 Hz crossover, driving external amps. Essentially dual subs. It sounds smooth and clean.

[amin]

did u get to the bottom of this, which is better mono or stereo bass? I have dual sb1000 pro for a 2 channel setup (stereo). I was running them as mono it sounded good now I'm running them as stereo it also sounds good but different. my question is which one is ideal?

[pastaman]

Spot on! I recently just upgraded from 7 ch to a 9 ch AVR that just happened to have independent sub outs but I'm still using only 1 channel and letting a miniDSP handle all the rest of the time / phase aligning of all my 4 subs and buttkickers. Later down the line I might try the stereo separation with the buttkickers but no change with the subs (essenially running 2 independent sub outs on the avr with the exact same settings and letting the minidsp sum them for the subs but keeping the left and right separate for the buttkickers on both sides of my couch).

[tac]

I have a dilemma. My front towers can hit mid 40HZ but my center and rears are only 90Hz. I think bass sounds better with my global crossover set at 80Hz but this leaves a hole at 90Hz on my rears and center. Alternatively I can run the crossover at 100hz but I can localize the sub more and it doesn't sound quite as good... But no hole. What would you do?

[Bryanchaconx]

Great video, I never considered leaving the front towers as Small on the settings. I tested it and you're right. The subs are just better at producing the lowest frequencies by themselves. Left the crossover at 80hz, Thank you

[nicovzz]

Hi sir, i have a question. If I decide to buy a, for example, 5.1 setup for watch movies but at the same time I wanna listen to some music by, for obvious reasons, emulating the stereo on the 5 speakers, what happens with the bass? to be exact, where it goes the Right channel bass, in case that the LFE channel goes in mono only. I know that is way much better go with a 2.0 for music, but in the case of going 5.1, that is my doubt... hope u can understand, sorry for my english, CHEERS!!

[Pete.across.the.street]

I'm going to try using 4 subs. 2 in stereo and 2 in mono. Cross over the stereo ones a little higher and set the gain a little lower.

[tobyhines]

You are correct Mono bass signal to all subwoofers. I'm a big QUAD channel fan and run a and b surrounds, all set to small on The 1812 Overture cannon shots do move around My room to all 4 speakers. By the way SVS outlet sale going on now, Ordered 2nd SP1000 and 2 prime satellites. and told sales Rep about seeing two SP1000's on Subwoofer 101.

[jeremycrabtree]

Do you have an update to this? If you still feel the same, how do I run my .2 into 2 subs mono?

[briancampbell]

spoke with Rel tech today...says if they were to hook up 2 subs, it would be in high level stereo...i guess you dont have enough space to spread your speakers out?

[Sushie]

Hey Subwoofer 101, Raymond here. Awesome video as always my friend. Very educational and golden info. I too have a Denon AVR but can you please tell me exactly where to find the mono setting? I think I know but just want to make sure I adjust the right setting and not mess something up lol. Anyway, I love your videos and watch them almost every day. Please keep up the great work and happy listening.

[Darklighter]

You have an incredible system there you do. If I can only use mono on my sub because I don't have a "y" adapter will my sub sound weak? Subscribed! Thanks

[bt]

all that and you didnt explain what the other sub is there for. im guessing its not hooked up, or its also split, so that you can pump up the mono bass even more . e.g. triple mono.
What size are those? 3 10's, or a 12 and 2 10's? i know your mainly taking about only the 2 10's. I like what your suggesting, and thinking, i totally agree!!! we all want more bass, so mono is best.

I was watching to answer a different question which you didnt address. I havent really explored mono before, then i saw this image that messed me up, it said left + right = mono sum of both, something like that. what the heck is that. e.g. if i amp doesnt say "mono" on the left, is the left not the sum, and will just be left, and not perform when theres only right bass? e.g. does it HAVE TO SAY MONO in order to become a sum of both right and left?

So even if so, or not, i can take a left+right in to an unbalanced out to make the net sum, for a mono sum input right?

So anyway, is that what you did, or what is a "splitter"?

[grantmccord]

Is that a Great Pyrenees??? It looks just like mine but black

[Sushie]

Wow. Amazing information my friend. Very educational. I will be sure to make sure my AVR is on mono. I too have a Denon but do you know where exactly that setting is? I have an idea but want to make sure I change the right setting that you're referring to. BTW, I lovee your channel and watch your videos almost everyday. Please keep up the golden work.

[maheeinfy]

Can u review budget champs like Dayton Sub1200

[tac]

That center channel looks just like the old Boston Acoustics VR 12 center channel.

[MaxwellCEdison]

You say mono dual is better because they even out the peaks/nulls that can result from a single sub, but this is more of a problem in certain room than others, no? Isn't it possible for each sub to sound fine from the LP without the reinforcement of the other sub?

I don't have dual subs (or any right now actually, but thinking of going dual), but I wonder – are subs really that 'unlocalized'? i.e. if you have only the left sub, and there's bass going to the right channel, would the combination of mid-high freq from right tower + low freq from left sub really make it sound like it's coming from the right? Surely it will sound more 'proper' if the right tower's sound meshes with a right sub?

Also, I think it might yet be possible to try stereo subs with your current equipment. Zone 2 out to each sub, which will filter out low freq at the crossover for its RCA outs, then to an amp/receiver.

And thanks for the video :)

[letsgetliminal]

Call DiCaprio e re-shoot the bear scene in your carpet.

[anestiskastellos]

I have a 5.1 but I put it in the middle of the room just under the tv with a hand made tv furniture so it can if in it and i can say I have very even sound cause its in the middle but I don't know I was going for 5.2 but since I did that I don't know if its worth it