Nick Cave's vocals — searching, pleading, urgent and, normally, red-hot — sounded just
a bit soft and cool through the PSB Alpha B1s. Ward wondered:
"Have you tried anything with a sub yet? I'd be interested to hear how taking some pressure off your speakers and filling in the bottom end affects your opinion of the PSBs."
No, I've never added a subwoofer to any of the speaker systems I've listened to at home. I never even considered it, actually. Subwoofers just seem kinda
weird to me, more suited for crash-and-boom home theater setups or in the back of some dude's Camaro, rattling fenders and triggering car alarms as it rolls down Jersey Avenue. Plus: my apartment is small and the living room is feeling crowded enough, as it is. Where would I put a subwoofer? And would it prove too annoying to my neighbor's below? I don't want to be
that guy. Beyond all, a subwoofer is just another element, something else to worry about, and I like to keep things simple. Besides:
I'm scared of change.
Still, I'm intrigued. How
would the Alpha B1s sound if I took some of the pressure off? Would, for instance, Nick Cave regain his fire, turn mirrors into walls, lock all the doors, rattle the floors, etc.?
Funny coincidence: I've been offered a matching sub to complement the B1s. Paul Barton would like to know the size of my listening room and how loud I listen so that he can provide the appropriate subwoofer.
Am I tempted? Of course, I'm tempted. Is it worth it? I guess there's only one way to find out.
