Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › A/V subwoofer options
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

A/V subwoofer options

post #1 of 9
2/8/11 at 12:21pm
Thread Starter 
So a while back I posted regarding some speakers and the input was great, really changed the direction I was looking in, toward more quality items, and I am very happy I did so. Although I havent pulled the trigger yet I have narrowed down the speakers I will be getting.

My next step is finding a sub... the more I have been thinking about it, my listening will most likely be 70/30 music/HT. However, I want a sub that is going to hit those really low frequencies utilized when bombs and whatnot are going off in movies... I want to be able to feel the bass and not have the volume up so loud it hurts my ears.

As far as a budget, i def. want to stay under $1000 and mor enear $750 as the limit... The room is about 18x19 ft. with one open wall.

Here are some of the brands I am considering:
REL, SVS, HSU, Epik, Sunfire, and Martin Logan... as far as models within those brands the only one I have heard in person is the REL T2 (which I thought sounded good, but seems to get really high marks for music, but just cant hit the low notes associated with HT viewing).

The problem with many of the brands I mentioned is that, although they seem to have high marks, they are mostly online direct companies, so I cant hear them in person before buying.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 9
2/8/11 at 12:46pm
It's been a few years since I've looked at subs, but worth noting that if you are so inclined you can build yourself a pretty spectacular subwoofer for that money (building subwoofers being much easier than building speakers due to not having to deal with crossovers/multiple drivers/finishing multiple cabinets/etc.) Of course this doesn't solve your concern about hearing before you buy, but if you build your own you can tune it however you like.
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 9
2/8/11 at 1:30pm
Forget the REL and ML. Add NHT, Paradigm and Rythmik. Subs are all about integration, low distortion, and flat response. For integration you want flexible crossover controls (frequency and phase) and level control. A parametric EQ (PEQ) is useful for controlling room modes but will require a bit of effort on your part to use well. Connectivity, how it connects to your receiver or speakers, can be important if your receiver or preamp isn't too flexible.

In audiophile parlance, a "musical" sub is wimpy, incompetent, or both. REL is a great example of that.

--Andre
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 9
2/8/11 at 1:35pm
^ I find my ML Depth i to be more than sufficient and is typically in stock for auditioning in most higher-end dealer showrooms (at least here in tri-state area).
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 9
2/8/11 at 2:22pm
Audiogon is your friend -- that's where I picked up my TBI sub
http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_products_subwmagvipsu.asp
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 9
2/8/11 at 10:21pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by A Y View Post
Forget the REL and ML. Add NHT, Paradigm and Rythmik. Subs are all about integration, low distortion, and flat response. For integration you want flexible crossover controls (frequency and phase) and level control. A parametric EQ (PEQ) is useful for controlling room modes but will require a bit of effort on your part to use well. Connectivity, how it connects to your receiver or speakers, can be important if your receiver or preamp isn't too flexible.

In audiophile parlance, a "musical" sub is wimpy, incompetent, or both. REL is a great example of that.

--Andre

I don't know anywhere near as much as you do about high end audio, but I still strongly disagree with regards to your comment about REL. I have a REL B3 in my bedroom set up and it is by no means wimpy. The REL delivers a ton of deep base that is more than adequate for both music and movies.

-LR
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 9
2/11/11 at 4:56pm
i am looking for a similar solution.

i hear good things about svs and epik. however i really wish i could hear them somewhere.

i have been eyeing the svs pb12-nsd (would have to wait for new version to release) and the pc12-nsd and the epik empire. no idea how they will actually sound though if i order one.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 9
2/11/11 at 6:11pm
i have a rel t2 and am very pleased with it for both music and movies. it can really thump on the highest settings and don't think you will be disappointed.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 9
2/12/11 at 12:50pm
I have a ML Depth and it is more than I could ever need, independent measurements put the -3db at about 16hz in an open air outdoor test. REL subs can be hit or miss, many measure poorly and don't get much below 30hz if at all. Rythmik is worth looking into, the SVS sealed offerings were on my short list as well.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
Styleforum › Forums › Lifestyle › Fine Living, Home, Design & Auto › A/V subwoofer options