Reviving this thread for my first post on here ! I'm on the cusp of purchasing the Neumann KH-80s and the research available on here has been a huge help. Based on everything I've read, I feel a sub is going to be essential for me but it increases the cost substantially if I go with the KH-750.
In the time since this thread when silent, has anyone had any experience with pairing a less expensive sub with the KH-80s ? Thanks !
You can pair pretty much any subwoofer with KH80, as long as it has fairly flat and smooth FR to at least 200Hz. That is because you will probably want a crossover in the 100-120Hz range.
I've used a number of subs with mine.
For a long time, including when I first added KH80, my desktop subs were a pair of Triad Bronze "in wall" subs on the floor under my desk. These are simple, thin closed boxes loaded with Peerless's XLS10 woofer. I used a separate processor (miniDSP balanced 2x4, then DDRC24) and amp (ICEpower 500ASP per channel, D-Sonic branded case). They were excellent. However, they had no grilles, and unfortunately one of our ferocious minilions decided to see how woofer surround rubber feels under claws.
I replaced them with a set of DIYish subwoofers using Dayton RSS265HF drivers in Velodyne SC-10 cabinets. Same processor and amp. These are similar in volume to the old subwoofers, and measured similarly. I decided to change things up when I stumbled onto a Vienna Acoustics Subson. The change was aesthetic more than performance. I really like the looks of that subwoofer. Subson is a closed box with Peerless XLS12 woofer (like SVS SB2000) so it is also a high performance subwoofer.
Currently in position, though not yet calibrated, are the Subson and a JL Audio E110. I may see if I can get away with only one of those, given that either is substantially more capable than my previous subs. Or not, given that I would have to move one and I'm using a 2-channel DAC for subs (miniDSP SHD Studio front end) anyway. We'll see if the JL is tricky to blend, given the relatively limited HF extension. My initial thoughts are to use the native rolloff to yield a net 5th order lowpass, as Andrew Jones recommends.
Related, I also decided to mount my KH80 on Neumann's LH65 stands. They are expensive but very well made, and in practice take up less desk space than my previous stands. Even the
L-keys that come with them are German-made tools! With an adapter (K&M Stands 24352 Adapter Panel 1) these stands can also fit JBL 705i.