KRK subwoofer better than my SPDIF 5.1?

[fewture]

Ive got 2 KRK Rokit 8's and up to now have been simultaneously using a 10" sub from a logitech 5.1 surround setup(z5500) via SPDIF.

The bass sounds pretty terrible. I can't tell if its just the subwoofer and the fact it is not calibrated properly with my Rokit 8's or just if my room
is terrible for bass (wooden floors etc, although I did put sub on some carpet and made no difference). This sub has sounded nice in other rooms.

I am wondering if buying the KRK Sub 10" for the Rokit series would make any difference (it would be better calibrated at least) or if my room is really the problem.

I am playing/mixing/making mainly tech house/techno/house etc in Traktor and Ableton

[detroitechno]

Using any 'consumer' subwoofer is no doubt, a bad idea. They over hype a lot of frequencies, and will be pretty much no where near flat. I'd suggest selling it and getting a proper sub. The KRK is probably your best bet as it will be properly matched to your near fields.

[Angstrom]

Ive got 2 KRK Rokit 8's and up to now have been simultaneously using a 10" sub from a logitech 5.1 surround setup(z5500) via SPDIF.

The bass sounds pretty terrible. I can't tell if its just the subwoofer and the fact it is not calibrated properly with my Rokit 8's or just if my room
is terrible for bass (wooden floors etc, although I did put sub on some carpet and made no difference). This sub has sounded nice in other rooms.

I am wondering if buying the KRK Sub 10" for the Rokit series would make any difference (it would be better calibrated at least) or if my room is really the problem.

I am playing/mixing/making mainly tech house/techno/house etc in Traktor and Ableton

this room, what are its dimensions roughly?
I'm thinking you may be inside a bass bin, is it small and square this room?

[RichStudio]

It really depends on what the KRK Sub has. The first critical part of adding a sub is if you can get the cross over and phase set correctly for your satallites and room.

Alot of good subs have the ability to adjust these two components and some have separate bass management / low frequency extension switch.

I don't know anything about the Logitech sub, but you may only be using Low Frequency Extension if this is setup for 5.1.
Can you run stereo L & R and see if there is a difference. Running stereo will get you low frequency for both channels in lieu of just the LF channel that 5. uses.

Believe it or not, wooden floors are better than carpet. Something about standing waves with carpet.
Carpet on the walls will only affect the high frequencies. If you really want to improve the bass in your room, check out Real Traps (realtraps.com). I have (4) 24" x 4' traps in my room, the difference is amazing.

If the KRK sub is matched / supposed to go with the Rockits, trying this won't hurt. I also recommend Tannoy subs. I use a 10" Tannoy with my Event 20/20 bas and the bass is wonderful (my room is 8.5' x 14').

A more spendy way is the JBL 4300 series. I have the 4328p satallites and 4312 sub. This system has an automatic room analyzer / calibration system. Best money I ever spent.

Regards,
Rich

[Michael-SW]

Try without any sub at all. It is not like you really need one. And definitely not a shitty one like the logitech.

[SPAWNmaster]

you should NOT need a subwoofer with the KRK monitors, let alone an additional sound system (especially consumer brand). your nearfield monitors are designed to be the most efficient used alone and will give you as flat a freq response as was designed. If you think you're missing low end, it's your track not your monitors.

There's a common misconception that buying monitors is about buying the loudest sound or the strongest bass or the clearest high end. in fact it's quite the opposite. You should be able to use your near-fields in a small closed environment (3 feet on either side from your head) at low volume for maximum effect.

cheers!

[fewture]

thanks for your replies everyone. really helpful.

The logitech sub was running stereo (not 5.1) and sounded pretty terrible.

The Rokit 8's are nice but lacking a bit of low end and I really don't feel I hearing some of those lower frequencies (I am into kicks and bass) - Some people have commented on them (Rokit 8 and I guess most monitors that size/price) and noted after buying the KRK Sub their mixes were much better because they weren't putting too much bass in their tracks to over compensate for what they weren't hearing.

The room, actually isn't a room, its like a large hallway room with a stairway in it, open door way going to kitchen (no door) and another adjacent room attached to it (big open arch/no door). I don't know anything about sounds and rooms but I am sure its a major factor.

I would like to try the KRK sub but only way would be to buy it. We don't get the option here in Sydney, Australia (unless someone can point me a place) which gives your money back if you don't like it.

[the girl next door]

you should NOT need a subwoofer with the KRK monitors, let alone an additional sound system (especially consumer brand). your nearfield monitors are designed to be the most efficient used alone and will give you as flat a freq response as was designed. If you think you're missing low end, it's your track not your monitors.

[teknobryan]

you should NOT need a subwoofer with the KRK monitors, let alone an additional sound system (especially consumer brand). your nearfield monitors are designed to be the most efficient used alone and will give you as flat a freq response as was designed. If you think you're missing low end, it's your track not your monitors.

There's a common misconception that buying monitors is about buying the loudest sound or the strongest bass or the clearest high end. in fact it's quite the opposite. You should be able to use your near-fields in a small closed environment (3 feet on either side from your head) at low volume for maximum effect.

cheers!

WTF are you smoking. First you say Daft Punk isn't electronic dance music and now you say you shouldn't use a sub. If you mix without a sub you have no idea what's happening in the low frequencies and you're likely to hype your bass.