Question Sub-woofer to compliment display speakers?

[Shahmatt]

I recently upgraded to an ultrawide display which has inbuilt speakers (lg 29wn600-w).

Though it was my intention to get some proper speakers I've been holding off on account of a crowded desk.

To my surprise though these inbuilt speakers don't sound half bad, especially when the extra signal processing (Maxxaudio) is disabled.

The sound is clean, undistorted, and there is more than enough volume for me to bop my head to.

But the speakers are unable to reproduce anything lower than, I'm guessing, around 150Hz - the double bass in Mark Knopfler's Cannibals is completely absent (see here @ 24 seconds

View: https://youtu.be/UD4LWIy675Y?t=24
).

So this made me wonder, since sub woofers typically produce between 20 and 150Hz, could I compliment these speakers with something under-desk that could fill in the gap? This would help me save a lot of valuable desk space.

I have no experience with anything other than ordinary PC speakers. So if my question is ridiculous do feel free to let me know. Thanks in advance.

 

[Shahmatt]

@madmatt30
I tried stereo mix myself with wired earphones and faced the same issue. Apparently the lag is a common problem.

In another forum it was said the workaround is to use the free software Voice Meter instead, which creates a new virtual sound device combining two audio devices. I tried this and there is no lag!

Also because the sound is output from one virtual device volume control is also unified. It is necessary though to go to "Menu -> Shortcut Key (Hook)" to link Windows Volume Control to the virtual device.

Bottom line this seems to be a solution. So this project is back on the burner and I will attempt to source a subwoofer to test - preferably from somewhere willing to accept a return if need be.

 

[Shahmatt]

Happy to report that the Wharfedale and display speakers seem to make a good combo.

 

[madmatt30]

Happy to report that the Wharfedale and display speakers seem to make a good combo.

Thats excellent news.

Assuming it's this software

VB-Audio VoiceMeeter

VoiceMeeter Virtual Audio Device Mixer by V.Burel

vb-audio.com

Looks like I'll be dragging the subwoofer back out of the loft again this weekend

 

[Shahmatt]

Thats excellent news.

Assuming it's this software

VB-Audio VoiceMeeter

VoiceMeeter Virtual Audio Device Mixer by V.Burel

vb-audio.com

Looks like I'll be dragging the subwoofer back out of the loft again this weekend

Yes. Give it a try. A quick note on the tool.

Voicemeeter has three versions. The basic version, and "Banana' and "Potato" which are more advanced.

In the basic version both device inputs combine in channel "A", and the volume of channel A can be "hooked" to Windows volume. This is ideal.

However in Banana (and also Potato from what I read), the two devices output separately in channels A1 or A2. A combined channel A is not visible. Volume control is unfortunately for A1 only.

Volume can be controlled and linked to Windows via macros, but I did not test this.

The advantage of Banana and Potato are the detailed equalizers, which I played around with and they seem quite good.

But I am back on Basic for now because of the convenient volume control.