Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Two SW5500s or just one?

All you get with an extra sub sound wise is a 3dB increase in SPL, you get no lower bass etc. using 2.

As has been pointed out, 2 can allow you to overcome bass issues. Additionally, as omnidirectional as low bass is, the subs normally cross over at 60-80 Hz, and thus do reproduce, albeit low in level, upper bass freqs which can be localised, so a twin L/R sub setup might make sense.

However if you have bass correction it really is not a problem if you have: 1, 2, 4, or 10 subs if the bass correction sees the system as a whole, you measure at listening position and either MRC or something else can fix it all up well.

My 6000's cannot do the bass that the 6ks + twin subs can, easy to AB using Stereo/Direct on the 56.2 - you can extrapolate that to 8000s, which essentially use the same drivers, amps, closed box etc. etc.

There is a HUGE difference in music terms using the subs.

I have tested with 1 sub, then 2 and now I'm using 3, added a KrK 12's... the more subs I add, the better it gets...

However I agree with the notion, rather use 1 quality sub than 2 compromised cheapys. My 2 SVS subs cost me as much as my DSP6k speaker did BUT, with bass correction like MRC etc., you can get away using "simpler" subs, without DSP etc. as you have your own DSP.