Looking for sub upgrade advise for PA use

[Dantreige]

I'm not debating this claim but am genuinely curious: what circumstance would benefit from not clustering the subs? Wouldn't the low-end comb filtering from a spaced pair be a universal justification for a single sub cluster?

EDIT: I should put this question in context referring to small to medium scale systems as used by most bands and houses of worship. Install systems and touring systems would obviously allow for a greater degree of sophistication in terms of sub placement and calibration.

In small rooms splitting the subs can be a better to combat room modes, nodes, standing waves, etc. The problem is when you have a small room you often have even less choices on where to deploy your subs. If you have the time and room to try different placement, often you can get better results.

Sometimes you just have to play the hand you are delt.

 

[Dantreige]

dare i ask why would would put 2 subs together on one side verses one sub on one side? this doesnt make and sense.

Explained by DuraMorte and Floyd Eye, but I will add that you can often take advantage of boundary loading if you cluster to one side.

http://billfitzmaurice.info/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=398

 

[testing1two]

In small rooms splitting the subs can be a better to combat room modes, nodes, standing waves, etc.

I have to disagree here. Room modes and standing waves are best tackled with EQ not by creating more low end comb filtering by spacing the subs.

The problem is when you have a small room you often have even less choices on where to deploy your subs.

This is a common problem that I run into but I rarely encounter a situation where I can't cluster the subs.

Sometimes you just have to play the hand you are delt.

Absolutely true. That said I would rather start with my PA set in the theoretical best position (with the subs clustered) and spend my time tuning and not moving boxes around.

As always IMO, YMMV, IOU, DTF, ETC...

 

[Dantreige]

I have to disagree here. Room modes and standing waves are best tackled with EQ not by creating more low end comb filtering by spacing the subs.

It's a more common solution in home audio where you need to split them to get good results at a certain listening position. It can be done in clubs to make the dance floor area sound better, but like I said, it's rarely worth the effort or even possible with the space. If you are in a room that small, you rarely would need subs in the first place.

Not worth the hassle for me, but you asked when it would be better. There you go.

 

[Floyd Eye]

I'm not debating this claim but am genuinely curious: what circumstance would benefit from not clustering the subs? Wouldn't the low-end comb filtering from a spaced pair be a universal justification for a single sub cluster?

EDIT: I should put this question in context referring to small to medium scale systems as used by most bands and houses of worship. Install systems and touring systems would obviously allow for a greater degree of sophistication in terms of sub placement and calibration.

Well I am certainly not even close to the best guy on this forum to ask for advice on things like this, but I do run the sound for my band and we do gig pretty heavily. In my experience, there are small rooms where the audience is pretty centrally located and there is minimal room for the band to set up. Besides the obvious advantage of having a place to put your mains that doesn't take up additional floor space, there may very well be no justification for it, however, the effects of comb filtering and the slight loss in DB is sometimes minimal enough to be worth it. To me anyway.