Hi everyone, is anyone here using a sub with their monitor for mixing? I've been contemplating adding one to my set up and looking at a few options. I have an acoustically treated studio space that is roughly 12ft x 8ft and I'm using room correction software (ik arc). My monitors are Yamaha MSP5s, freq response is 50Hz to 40kHz with a roll off at 80Hz. Was looking at IK Sub but out of my price range unfortunately. I see a few more affordable options from PreSonus, KRK, Mackie, Yamaha... Would love some input on what you're using or any recommendations.

 

Temblor® T8 Studio Subwoofer - SKU: 2777504402 - Regular Price €349.00
PreSonus promises a maximum sound pressure level of 104 dB SPL.

A continuously variable low-pass filter allows the original frequency response,
which ranges from 30 to 200 Hz, to be limited to 50 to 130 Hz.
https://de.presonus.com/products/temblor-t8-studio-subwoofer

Review: Presonus Temblor T8 Studio Subwoofer Review
https://digitalstereophony.blogspot.com/2016/02/presonus-temblor-t8-studio-subwoofer.html

 

I'd also like to hear from anyone with real-world experiences regarding subwoofers that integrate the best with small to medium size monitors, ideally an "inaudible sub" that sounds like magically boosting the LF response of the monitors.
Suggestions for best placement options are also welcome

 

@PulseWave How long have you been using them and what monitors have you paired it with? Do you feel like its improved your mixing? Also, curious as to why you chose a ported sub vs a sealed sub.

 

I'm using the PreSonus Eris Sub8 BT with my 5'' monitors, crossover at 80hz, in a room with treated walls, bass traps and carpets but no ceiling panels (3mWx4mLx2.5mH) and it's very punchy when you find its place in the room with a little crawling.

My interface is a 8i6 and at 10 o'clock with both sub and monitors set to unity, that is more than enough power to for adequate mixing. It translates well for me, but you turn it up, I'd keep in mind that it smears at the room corners if you haven't treated them. At my mixing spot and a meter back, it's punchy and tight. I am satisfied with it.

At volume knob set to 12 o'clock it's getting loud in the forementioned room size. It's adequately priced but if you do decide to go with it, place it somewhere you could easily reach to the back of it, since the power on/off button is there. I'd go with left/right side on the ground, almost under one of the monitors, if you will, so you won't have to go under your desk every time you want to turn it on or off.

The plus side is, it goes into stand by mode after 20/40min. of no activity/sound.

Haven't tried the bluetooth option yet, as I haven't found the need to.

Hope this helps.

 

Last edited: Feb 24, 2026 at 11:33 AM

An acquaintance of mine uses them and is happy with them.

Magical frequencies:
Sub Bass = 16 to 60 Hz - a feeling of power (too much makes the music muddy)
Bass = 60 to 250 Hz - contains fundamental notes of the rhythm section, makes the music fat or thin (too much boost makes the music boom)

Theoretically, that's correct: More information about bass
Many speakers with 4, 5, or 6-inch drivers only reproduce the low-frequency range inadequately. They reach down to about 60 Hz and can provide little information about the bass beyond that. However, anyone producing music for clubs needs this information – otherwise, how can you judge whether the bass is truly booming, kicking, or punchy? This is where the subwoofer comes in. For club music production, purchasing a subwoofer can definitely be worthwhile.

The question is whether your listeners will actually hear the bass you're adjusting?
Have you received any feedback from your listeners about the bass, or have you ever heard your music in a disco, etc.?

Con: Quality Must Be Right

On the other hand, there are some pitfalls that can quickly negate the advantages. For one, a subwoofer can drag down the overall performance of your listening system. This happens when the subwoofer design is subpar – meaning it's not on the same level as your satellite speakers.

Many models produce a lot of bass and move a lot of air, but this often comes at the expense of bass reproduction quality. It's not uncommon to find models that produce a muddy, uneven sound. In such cases, the important information about the low frequencies is masked rather than enhanced.

I don't use a subwoofer myself. As a sound designer, I use two Yamaha HS50M speakers, and I still don't see much point in them. Either I hear the bass through the speakers, or if I don't hear the bass, there isn't any bass. Overall Frequency: Response 55 Hz–20 kHz (-10 dB).
I create a lot of bass-heavy presets, and my studio monitors reproduce that bass.
Adding a third source to the subwoofer doesn't sound good to me; it just confuses me.

My stereo system is different (Edifier - Multimedia S530D). It has a subwoofer, but you don't really notice it. The bass is there, though; you can hear it if you lie on the floor in front of the subwoofer and listen. Frequency range: 20 Hz - 120 Hz (SW), 150 - 20,000 Hz (R/L)

Spoiler: Yamaha writes the following: Adding a subwoofer

Yamaha writes the following: Adding a subwoofer

Even if you don't plan on setting up a surround sound system, a subwoofer can be a real asset for stereo mixes. If you can't hear the extreme low frequencies, there isn't much left to create great sound. The extended bass response of a good subwoofer can therefore really help improve the overall quality of your mixes.

The placement of the subwoofer is not as critical as that of the main speakers, since frequencies below approximately

200 Hz – the frequency range in which your subwoofer operates – are not directional. In other words, the ear cannot pinpoint the sound source of such low frequencies, so theoretically, the subwoofer can be placed anywhere in the room. In practice, the subwoofer should be placed on the floor somewhere between the main speakers at the same distance from the listening position as the main speakers, although it doesn't have to be exactly in the center.

Fine-tuning for Stereo + Subwoofer
●Set the LEVEL control on the HS50M or HS80M to approximately the 12 o'clock position, so that the nominal input level is around +4 dB. If using the HS50M, set the LEVEL control on the HS10W to approximately the 10 o'clock position, and on the HS80M to approximately the 11 o'clock position. Alternatively, you can adjust the output level of the HS50M/HS80M to achieve the desired volume balance with the subwoofer.
●Start with the HIGH CUT control in its center detent position, which corresponds to an HPF (high-pass filter) frequency
of approximately 100 Hz. The HIGH CUT frequency can be adjusted later to achieve the best possible sonic
integration with the HS50M or HS80M.
●Turn the LOW CUT switch on the HS10W ON. Adjust the LOW CUT control to achieve the desired level of bass extension.
●Set the LOW CUT switch on the HS50M/HS80M to "FLAT".
●In the "-2 dB" setting, the EQ MID switch on the HS50M/HS80M slightly attenuates the midrange frequencies to create a softer sound, which may be more suitable for listening or extended monitoring sessions. For precise monitoring, however, return the MID switch to "0".
●Adjust the ROOM CONTROL switch on the HS50M/HS80M according to the distance of the speakers from the wall (see "Proximity to Walls and Corners" above).
●For precise monitoring, set the HIGH TRIM switch on the HS50M/HS80M to “0”. This switch can be set to “–2 dB”
to slightly reduce the treble if you find it too bright.

 

Last edited: Feb 24, 2026 at 1:25 PM