2.0 vs 2.1 systems

[IMPERIUS]

Just from curiosity, which one do you prefer, why and what are some general pros and cons of both?

 

Does the standalone subwoofer beat the dual built-in ones in a 2.0 systems?

[Godlygamer23]

It depends on your audio system.

[IMPERIUS]

It depends on your audio system.

 

lets say both are priced at 200$, both use the same hardware

[Godlygamer23]

lets say both are priced at 200$

We still know nothing about what the audio system is capable of.

[Kherm]

I always prefer a subwoofer, unless the speakers being used are old, massive tower speakers from the 70s or 80s

[IMPERIUS]

We still know nothing about what the audio system is capable of.

 

its just hypothetically 

[harbo99]

Just from curiosity, which one do you prefer, why and what are some general pros and cons of both?

 

Does the standalone subwoofer beat the dual built-in ones in a 2.0 systems?

Yes usually it does. Firstly a standalone subwoofer is often much bigger than the subwoofers that are build in the speakers + just the fact that the subwoofer is on the ground instead of at chest level actually makes a surprising difference!

[IMPERIUS]

Yes usually it does. Firstly a standalone subwoofer is often much bigger than the subwoofers that are build in the speakers + just the fact that the subwoofer is on the ground instead of at chest level actually makes a surprising difference!

 

And what if both are the same size? Can a e.g. 4in subwoofer produce "good" bass? 

Why? Because the waves bounce off of the under side of the desk?

[Bogica]

2.0 Tower speakers all the way! I've been using a 160w (RMS) 2.0 system for years, then I built my own with a high quality amplifier 150W (RMS) and they were both great.
But currently in my apartment on college I use a good 2.1 system (GX gaming 2.1) and it's awesome, can't complain.

 

Unless you plan to build your own with a good amplifier and tower speakers, don't go 2.0. Go with a really good 2.1

[ZetZet]

2.0. I dislike single sub because I think it completely removes stereo effect in some songs.

[harbo99]

And what if both are the same size? Can a e.g. 4in subwoofer produce "good" bass? 

Why? Because the waves bounce off of the under side of the desk?

yes a 4in subwoofer can produce good base, but if it is that small there is not a big difference between 2.0 and 2.1 

 

The fact that it is on the ground gives a rumble in the room, that you just can't achieve with a 2.0 system

[ZetZet]

yes a 4in subwoofer can produce good base, but if it is that small there is not a big difference between 2.0 and 2.1 

 

The fact that it is on the ground gives a rumble in the room, that you just can't achieve with a 2.0 system

you can, you just need big speakers. There are 2.0 systems that have 8 inch drivers. 

[IMPERIUS]

you can, you just need big speakers. There are 2.0 systems that have 8 inch drivers. 

 

lol I can't even afford the 5in model

[ZetZet]

lol I can't even afford the 5in model

In europe we have a nice budget options like Microlab SOLO 6C or Edifier Studio 7/8.

[KaminKevCrew]

I always prefer a subwoofer, unless the speakers being used are old, massive tower speakers from the 70s or 80s

Why do they have to be from the 70s or 80s? They still make huge tower speakers, and they sound very, very good. 

@op, you will generally find that as you get higher and higher end, subs will begin to see a resurgence, The subs don't get cranked very loud though, they are used to complement the speakers, rather than outshine them. 2.0 systems generally can't produce the super deep rumbling that subs can, due to their inability to move the volume of air necessary. 

[Kherm]

Why do they have to be from the 70s or 80s? They still make huge tower speakers, and they sound very, very good. 

@op, you will generally find that as you get higher and higher end, subs will begin to see a resurgence, The subs don't get cranked very loud though, they are used to complement the speakers, rather than outshine them. 2.0 systems generally can't produce the super deep rumbling that subs can, due to their inability to move the volume of air necessary. 

Well, they could be, but my family bought at least 6 sets of Tower speakers in the 70s - 80s and they are the best I've ever heard. It's what I'm used to

[Lord_Karango17]

2.0. I dislike single sub because I think it completely removes stereo effect in some songs.

Isn't it pretty hard to pinpoint the direction of base in the first place? especially when its coming from under a table, and buncoing off walls and stuff

[ZetZet]

Isn't it pretty hard to pinpoint the direction of base in the first place? especially when its coming from under a table, and buncoing off walls and stuff

Well, if you have speakers on stands or on your very stable table you can tell. And I mean the overpowering bass that shadows everything, I just don't like it enough.

[KaminKevCrew]

Well, they could be, but my family bought at least 6 sets of Tower speakers in the 70s - 80s and they are the best I've ever heard. It's what I'm used to

We used to have a top of the line bowers and Wilkins sound system (circa 2006). Trust me, they don't have to be from the 70s or 80s.

Isn't it pretty hard to pinpoint the direction of base in the first place? especially when its coming from under a table, and buncoing off walls and stuff

Ultra low frequencies are generally felt, rather than heard, which is why you can generally put a sub almost anywhere.

[ShearMe]

Personally, I think it depends on the room size. Smaller 2.0 speakers produce bass just fine, it just might be at a lower level than the rest of the spectrum due to inefficiencies. If you're using them in a bedroom our office, you're likely fairly close, and will be able to pick up on the bass better than if you were at couch distance in a living room.

Ultra low frequencies are generally felt, rather than heard, which is why you can generally put a sub almost anywhere.

Not exactly 100% accurate...

"The source becomes directionally locatable when the wavelength is short enough that it arrives at the eardrums at two points in time far enough apart that the brain can triangulate the source direction."

[KaminKevCrew]

Not exactly 100% accurate...

"The source becomes directionally locatable when the wavelength is short enough that it arrives at the eardrums at two points in time far enough apart that the brain can triangulate the source direction."

I figured that "almost anywhere" would suffice

[ShearMe]

I figured that "almost anywhere" would suffice

That also ignores room conditioning which is an important aspect. B)

[Lutkeveld]

Nvm

[KaminKevCrew]

That also ignores room conditioning which is an important aspect. B)

haha! I would condition the room my speakers are in, but they are on the desk with my computer, and that desk is a rattly old metal one from the 80s... So I don't think that room conditioning would get rid of that issue... (and I keep the desk because it's the only one I know of with the kind of real estate and height I need...)

[Lutkeveld]

And what if both are the same size? Can a e.g. 4in subwoofer produce "good" bass? 

Why? Because the waves bounce off of the under side of the desk?

 

They don't bounce of the desk, they're too long for that.

 

2.0. I dislike single sub because I think it completely removes stereo effect in some songs.

 

99.9% of the songs are joint stereo <200Hz

 

Isn't it pretty hard to pinpoint the direction of base in the first place? especially when its coming from under a table, and buncoing off walls and stuff

 

It's because the source is omni directional. Sound waves are too large to be affected by the baffle and radiate in all directions.

Also, like Shearme said, it's difficult for our binaural system to notice a time difference when receiving a long soundwave.

 

 

I personally prefer 2.0 because nearfield listening significantly reduces room modes and the associated one or two note bass.

Or go with a 2.1 system with multiple subs (so 2.3 or so), to reduce room modes. I'll be doing this in the near future