Yes, I did mean frequency response, cut-off referring to the lower limit. If you look at £200 subs they all have a frequency response ending at 35Hz or so.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cutoff_frequency


Fair enough, I was not aware of that model -- but that is significantly cheaper than similar units from the larger manufacturers and still represents a much larger outlay (when the satellites are added to the mix) than a set of floorstanders on their own.

OK chaps, I think I have settled on the Tannoy HTS01 package. Next question - recommended cable for these speakers?

Peter Tyson include 40 metres 42 strand Speaker Cable and a 3 metre Subwoofer Cable (but they do charge £20 more to include these items).

Have a measure up first, the rears will generally use the most wire, then have a look on EBay, you will find some a bit more substantial than 42 strand, I'd recocommend 128 strand minimum. You should find a single phono for the sub on there too. You could end up paying less for slightly better quality.

Ah right !

I have a blu-ray player with integrated surround sound that also has a USB input. So I play any files I have through that and the sound comes through the surround speakers.

The TV can also feed back audio via HDMI or via optical back to the DVD, so it could work through several paths in my system.

I do sometimes use optical when there is a live TV program I want to watch in surround.

I'm not sure that I'm actually getting 5.1 from TV broadcasts though.

You can get the same one from richersounds for less:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...3/deno-avr1513

They also do a Teac AGD200 which is what I have and is absolutely fantastic. Again only £119.99:

http://www.richersounds.com/product/...00/teac-agd200

You can either buy online or go to the richersounds outlet on ebay where you get free next day delivery.

Two different AVs, the one you show is the 1513, not the 1713.

It's not a 'cut-off' and a £200 sub will have considerably better bass performance than the floor standing ones - not to mention far easier to fit in a room

Don't get confused by just reading the numbers

Subs are made to handle bass, and nothing else - floor standing ones have to handle all frequencies.

You will struggle to find a £200 sub to match even the Tannoy V4's mentioned for bass extension let alone one that would have considerably better bass. The BK sub I mentioned earlier is IMO the cheapest sub that has the best frequency response (17hz @-6db) for the money, but it does cost £300. The £200 range subs do seem to be stuck around the 35-38hz region, some are even as high as 50hz, decent bookshelf speakers can easily match this.

Agree, subs are made to handle the LF's, but sticking a £200 sub that has the same or a higher frequency response than the main speaker's is not going to achieve very much, the user would be better off paying more for the main speakers, especially if the sub is going to be bought on a budget.