I'm talking about using the scope starting with the head unit, in order to find it's highest undistorted output, since many clip prior to their max volume setting. This is followed by using the scope on the outputs of any processors (xover, eq, etc), to determine their highest clean voltage. I then use it to find the max undistorted output of the amps, so that I never exceed that point when subsequently setting the amp gains based on RTA results and listening preferences. Of course you don't have all the gains on all the amps at their max undistorted output, if that's what you were implying.

 

^^ that's exactly what I was saying... use the scope to find the distortion point, then drop back untill it's balanced to the ear per personal preference or analyzer

 

I have one sub and just got metered with a TL mic and hit 139db at 42Hz. So theres no need for 2 sub, 1 is where its at....

 

No need for >1 to meet SPL requirements, but the question was for SQ. Some people feel that for SQ it's better to have stereo (not mono) subs, and you can't do that with 1.

 

stereo would be pretty pointless... anything < ~80Hz is omnidirectional anyway... can't tell where it's coming from musically speaking...

 

I completely disagree. With a typical 80Hz xover point and 2nd order slope, it's easy to localize (determine where the sound is coming from) subs located in the rear of a vehicle.

The solution is to crossover no higher than 60Hz, using 24dB/Oct attenuation, with midbass speakers in front that are flat down to at least 60Hz. This way you can acheive the illusion of "up front bass".

Regarding stereo versus mono, it depends on the source media and how it was engineered. Many recordings do place low frequencies on both channels with equal amplitude, such taht they're effectively mono, However, there are still many recording made (jazz, classical, etc), where certain low frequency instruments are only placed on one channel, such as when a stand-up bass is on the right side of the stage. The point is, if you're really serious about SQ, such that you want your system to perform optimally on all types of music, stereo subs are better than mono.

 

Anyways I'm running a RE SX 12" sub powered by a RF T10001BD geared towards SQ, but the SX sub can put out nice SPL so what the hey....

 

Since the illusion of up front bass is a large part of SQ, having a midbass up front with xovers on the substage set as said, it wouldn't matter whether you have 1 sub mono or 2 in stereo/mono because you'd get the imaging of that stand up bass through the midbass with the "heart" of it coming through the subs omnidirectionally.... only way you "know" the subs are back there is because of clues such as panel rattles, turbulence from a corner fired enclosure, etc...

doesn't really matter... agree to disagree I suppose....