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Vandersteen Sub 3 with Magnepan's

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Posted on April 21, 2023 at 22:17:38
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 Hey has anyone ever paired a Vandersteen Sub 3 or any other Vandersteen subwoofer with their Maggie's? I am thinking about making the purchase for 2 Vandy Sub 3's once I move my 20.7's to a much larger room. I spoke with Richard Vandersteen and he thought the subs with his high pass filter crossovers would mate perfectly and produce accurate bass. But I hate just going off manufacturers. Any thought would be greatly appreciated.

 

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RE: "subwoofers with their Maggie's?" ... , posted on April 22, 2023 at 01:50:31
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12655
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 I'm afraid I'm left a bit confused after reading the Vandie Sub 3 on-line marketing BS ... but I would say:

1. They are quite expensive.
2. They use 3x small drivers - rather than 1 large driver.
3. They are perhaps underpowered? (For instance, I have an 800w Hypex plate amp on each of my 15" subs.)
4. The marketing BS doesn't specified whether they are sealed ... or ported.

I also find it strange they say the subs are driven from the main spkr terminals ("high level" inputs - as per the REL philosophy) ... yet they offer a high-pass filter to roll off the mains at the selected frequency (freeing up the amp driving the main spkrs from reproducing LFs).

A much more logical sub connection is, I suggest, the one that I - and many others - use:
* preamp --> active XO
* HP from active XO --> mains
* LP from active XO --> subs.

I used my 15" sealed subs in the above arrangement, with my active 3-way Maggies; it worked superbly. So subs can definitely be used with Maggies! :-))

 

RE: "subwoofers with their Maggie's?" ... , posted on April 22, 2023 at 04:47:55
triamp
Audiophile

Posts: 782
Location: USA
Joined: August 6, 2008
 I have a pair of Rhythmik open-baffle servo subs, each has two 12-inch GR Research / Rhythmik drivers with the servo coils, and each is powered by a custom Hypex amp. Open baffle subs really match the sound of my MG 3.6's. I use a DEQX to cross the subs over to the bass panels at 42 Hz; I also use DEQX to tri-amp the MG 3.6's. (I have 2 DEQX's) The DEQXs offer things like very steep, linear phase crossover topologies, amplitude correction (frequency response correction), phase correction and group delay correction..... and you can EQ to help keep room modes from being driven.

The open baffle subs were a worthwhile addition.
Science doesn't care what you believe.

 

RE: "The open baffle subs were a worthwhile addition" ... , posted on April 22, 2023 at 04:56:40
andyr
Manufacturer

Posts: 12655
Location: Melbourne
Joined: September 2, 2000
 I can well believe!

I suspect open-baffle would be better than my sealed-box subs - but, unfortunately, in my room ... I wouldn't be able to get them as far away from the front wall as they need. :-((

You said "I use a DEQX to cross the subs over to the bass panels at 42 Hz" - does this mean you have a high-pass on the 3.6s? Or are you merely augmenting the 3.6s - and running your panels full range?

If you:
a. are running stereo subs, and
b. rolling off your Maggies

... you might like to try a higher XO point. I crossed over at 80Hz - relieving the bass panels of excessive excurtion ... and thus lowering their distortion.

 

RE: Vandersteen Sub 3 with Magnepan's , posted on April 23, 2023 at 13:23:32
Rayd
Audiophile

Posts: 13
Joined: July 23, 2000
 Good idea to call Vandersteen. For further sub information I recommend calling or emailing Duke LeJeune at AudioKinesis. Duke is very knowledgeable about subs and he manufactures the SWARM sub system. I have one. Four subs are placed throughout the room and are powered by a 1000 watt amp. Smooth, clean, even bass with my 3.7i's. Simple to use. You'll find many people recommending more than one sub. Bottom line is four subs will be substantially better than one. Price of the SWARM is ~$3K.

 

I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 23, 2023 at 20:16:13
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 17082
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 It's a great system. However, I prefer running the mains without the crossover filter and let the mains do what they do.

I also found the Vandy subs were more polite than I preferred, perfect for most music, not so much for rock, IMO. But then, I run horns and use direct 15" subs set to cover 80hz and below.

-Rod

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 25, 2023 at 18:35:55
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 I think that's why I prefer the Vandersteen's over other subs. The bass is tight and articulate, not over blown. I got to hear pair Sub 3 with some 3.7i and the integration was really good, even though the speaker placement was not ideal. The Sub 3's didn't dominate room and allowed the midrange and mid bass of the 3.7's to shine. I will be auditioning the REL Carbon Special in home this weekend. It won't be an apples to apples comparison as the dealer didn't have a matching pair on-hand. But at least it will be in my listening room.

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 26, 2023 at 00:57:28
shumi
Audiophile

Posts: 161
Location: Virginia
Joined: January 11, 2020
 you should really consider the Gr research open baffle concept. I have stereo subs with 3 12 inch woofer for each sub xover at 80Hz with my 3.6s. They sound amazing.

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 26, 2023 at 06:41:28
ketchup
Audiophile

Posts: 641
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: February 29, 2004
 Shumi- Are you high passing the 3.6s? If so, how, exactly?

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 27, 2023 at 03:59:13
shumi
Audiophile

Posts: 161
Location: Virginia
Joined: January 11, 2020
 I use the bryston 10B to set low pass and high pass xover of 80 hz. I have done a lot measurements and this works for my room.

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 27, 2023 at 21:16:30
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 @Shumi I spoke with GR and it appears they are having supply chain issues. Nothing is available!

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 28, 2023 at 08:20:48
shumi
Audiophile

Posts: 161
Location: Virginia
Joined: January 11, 2020
 That is a shame I am glad i was able to get them a couple of years ago.I have stereo triples all facing forward and xlr amps.

 

RE: I had older Vandersteen subs and 3As...., posted on April 29, 2023 at 07:24:15
ketchup
Audiophile

Posts: 641
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: February 29, 2004
 Nothing is available? According to their website, only the XLR amps are not available. Can you elaborate? Drivers aren't available? I've been contemplating building a pair of OB subs, but the only parts that you actually need that may be affected by supply chain issues are the amps and drivers.

 

RE: Vandersteen Sub 3 with Magnepan's , posted on May 3, 2023 at 21:20:22
bluesy41
Audiophile

Posts: 163
Location: Seattle, WA
Joined: February 20, 2018
 Demoed the REL Carbon Special's in home for 5 days and they get plenty low and are fun. I think if you add the JL Audio CR-1 with them you could really have something special. Lots of fun with Rock and Hip Hop music but not as accurate with jazz IMO. I honestly don't believe 5 days was enough time but my dealer needed them back.I think for speedy and accuracy I'm going to go with the Vandersteen Sub 3. Thanks you all for your input and advice.

 

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