Very fair point on rooms. As for placement of subs next to mains, that is good to know. I have almost never had our sub next to the main but in the opposite corner. Mainly due to living room configuration.
I have listened to Arnie's system twice over the years. Amazing system and room. The integration of this six pack of subs with the Rockport Arrakis is impeccable, completely seamless. Some people recommend the dual subs besides the main speakers for time alignment sake, if the room has enough space.
The integration of subs is not overly complex, if you know what you're doing (by ear doesn't cut it IME). In general, a larger room makes the process less complex (assuming fewer and less severe room modes). In Arnie's case, with the 6 - pack and also with his previous subs, they both integrated seamlessly. Are the 6 pack better subs (and 3x as many as previously)? Sure. Also, setting the XO point so low makes it that much easier.
Lloyd your most likely spot on starting with the 6 pack. I have had them now for almost 2 years. This January it will be 24 months. It would be difficult to enjoy listening now without them. The only small obstacle is to somehow obtain the Lyra's!! Wouldn't that be nice. I couldn't agree more with @sbo6 regarding room size. As I have previously shared my room is 30' X 26' X 26'H. A frame 9/12 pitch, with an open loft. We're talking somewhere in the 15K-20K cubic feet range. This open concept needs subs. Placement is an entirely other different interesting aspect. I know guys who do setups for Rockports with Subs and they like the subs (regardless of brands) parallel with the Lyra's fronts. I had them that way for quite some time but I now have them 7" recessed back from the fronts. Every room is different and no right or wrong. Just be patient and let your ears be the guide...
If any subs are integrated appropriately with any speakers why would the genre of music matter?
That is very interesting.
IMO I don't think any speaker company doesn't recommend implementing subs, even those that don't make sub products. But there's a perception that some speakers are so elite that subs dilute the sonic benefits of the mains. How, if remotely even true that outweighs the detriments of sub(s)'room mode management is comical.
Absolutely, I have had conversations with Josh, they are not anti-sub. There main goal is for their speakers to sound there very best in any and all applications. And as you reference I would think any and most speaker companies would want the same...
I have had the same discussion with Andy and Josh a number of years ago. We discussed subs with their speakers and they kindly provided high level guidance that it could work providing the subs were designed and implemented really well.
I have had multiple conversations with Josh and John over the years about this very subject. They don’t generally recommend it. The first conversation on the subject was when they began working on the Orion project (a joint project between Andy and Josh) years ago.The last conversation I had with them on this subject took place at Rockport in Maine in 2024. Me, Josh and John sitting in their listening room talking about speaker design philosophy. A two hour conversation. Direct first person communication. The opposite of misinformed. Now If you tell them you want to use subs they will support you. They are not in the business of arguing with customers who want them (or dealers who sell them) and they are not dogmatic about it. If you (like I) are just having a private in depth conversation with them on the subject they will tell you that they don’t recommended it. I’m always trying to get information about future products and just recently I put out the idea of subs or seperate bass towers for a super speaker but I didn’t get the idea they were interested in either. They might change their minds if they can over come their objections. Who knows? Right now they do not recommended it subs.
Apparently I became "confused" speaking with Josh last week during our hour long conversation. One of several last year and this one, along with John. BTW both great people to speak with. Perhaps he or I wasn't specific enough? Or perhaps the client in Mexico City that Josh told me about with Lyra's and a 6 pack array of Carbon Special's was also a figment of my imagination. The obvious was mentioned regarding set-up. Getting the Lyra's situated first. That's when things become murky, and me talking about the cubic feet, would one consider a pair of 31's or 32's vs the 6 pack array of Carbon Specials. If memory serves me right that's when the figment of my imagination erupted and me "thinking" that Josh mentioned the client in Mexico City. Along with Josh saying go with the 6 pack of Carbon Specials, especially the fact that you have them. I love a good Mystery! I also wish I had the unlimited scratch to implement the Lyra's now! Selling my 6 Carbon Specials will help. BTW, it's a good thing this has come to my attention because I was go to speak with the imaginary figure in Mexico City...
 | Steve Williams Site Founder | Site Owner | Administrator |  | Ron Resnick Site Owner | Administrator |  | Julian (The Fixer) Website Build | Marketing Managersing |
