Hello all,

Had I found this forum sooner I would have done things a little differently, but so much for spilled milk.

Anyway, I have a Home Theater approx. 17' x 22' x 8', or ~3,000 cubic feet. Currently I have a Polk PWS-505 dead center under the screen. I had custom cabinets built around it, and the subwoofer hole is 21"w by 17-3/4"h x 19½" deep.

I agree with the comments I've seen in this forum that Polk subs are good but not great. I just played the "rattle test" on my DVE disc and didn't get much from my 505 until after 30 Hz. I'm looking for more rumble, but after looking into SVS and HSU briefly, it seems like most models are too big for my current location. (SB12 Plus excepted.)

I also have not finished installing bass traps, so maybe when that's done things will be a little better. (3 corner traps to build and install, 7 traps already up.)

I really like the look of the room as is, so I think I have two options;

1. Replace the Polk with something that will fit. (Recommendations?)
2. Add another sub in the back of the room. Size won't matter so much there.

TIA

That subs has a low end freq of around 28Hz so you definitely wont hear much under 30Hz. Lots of the currently high performance/low $$$ subs are going to be huge, its just a physics thing!

Although the SB12 is an all around better sub, it isn't going to give you more output down low, maybe marginally better but if that's your criteria for an upgrade it's not worth it imo. You're going to have a very hard time accomplishing this and fit your current size restriction unless you want to shell out some major bucks with eq.

If you can find placement for a larger sub you have MANY choices that will get you there. I would not combine a more capable sub with the polk though, that's just going to introduce a whole new set of issues. Two subs of the same quality and specs can work well together though.

The larger the sub the lower the extension. :D

c-not-k,

Have a budget? That would really help us give advice. Another thing that would be good to know is just how loud you like to listen. Sometimes we AVS members assume everybody likes bass peaks above 110dB, while many people actually don't like things anywhere near that loud.

I agree with Jakeman02 about the SB12+. The SB12+ should dig a few hz deeper than your PSW505, but in terms of overall SPL, I think it might not get quite as loud. Your room is simply too large for the SB12+ to be a serious HT sub IMO.

If the back of your room is relatively free of size limitations, I'd strongly recommend getting the best sub you can and placing it back there. It can sometimes be tricky to integrate subwoofers in the rear of the room (or at least I've found it difficult), but if you don't mind a good bit of experimentation and tweaking, you won't believe the enormous difference you'd get with a big, powerful sub in the back compared to your current PSW505. You have no idea what you're missing way down deep until you've experienced it.

Assuming you have room in the back, something like a SVS PB12+ or PB12+/2, Hsu VTF 3.3, AV123 MFW-15, eD A5-350 or A7s-450, or Epik Knight/Caliber/Castle would be a huge upgrade in every conceivable way over your current sub. It shouldn't even be close :D. This is assuming a budget between $700 and $1000.

Anyway, I wish you the best of luck. A bit more information as to size restrictions in the rear, budget, etc would be helpful.

Commercial : JL Audio f112 would fit nearly perfectly, just that it has to be laying on its side.

If you are not aiming for ultimate SPL, it would be good. As it is a sealed sub, it can get very deep esp with your room gain which should be decent.


DIY, use an Acoupower 15 and custom build a cab with a cab builder, shd hit 0.7 qtc as that would only be 68L. Pickup a DCX2496 (used shd be ok) and a cheap poweramp like Tapco J2500 or American Power V4001 Plus bridged (or pennyray can recommend! :D). You do not need very much power to reach Xmax in the lower freqs, which I assume is the area which is lacking in your quest. 1500W is enough to let you hit Xmax at 16Hz.
The 15" driver is 388mm and your sub hole height is 44.5mm. Left with 55mm of play. With 2pcs of 18mm baltic birch wall thickness = 36mm. That leaves 19mm for the front baffle, or 9.5mm each side. Very very tight, but not sure perhaps the cab builder is a pro and can fit it in sturdily.

This should get you slightly lower in freq and slightly more SPLs than the f112 even, and at a slightly lower price with more DSP leeway to play.

http://www.acoupower.com/physicalinfo.php

lalakersfan34: I don't really have a budget. Considering what I've spent on the rest of the theater, a sub to top it off won't bother me. For sake of argument, say $1,000.

Sounds like I'm adding a sub to the back of the room. I have about a 26" wide gap between the bar and the wall. It'll make working at the bar a little difficult, but I don't use it as a bar much anyway.

http://www.c-not-k.com/OddsEnds/MtHebron/HomeImprovement/HT/Thumbs/IMG_3106.JPG (http://www.c-not-k.com/OddsEnds/MtHebron/HomeImprovement/HT/Full/IMG_3106.JPG)

I would not combine a more capable sub with the polk though, that's just going to introduce a whole new set of issues. Two subs of the same quality and specs can work well together though.

That makes sense, but I'm kinda stuck going that way, unless I get an SB12 Plus and PB12 Plus, or another pair. What issues would I expect to face?

Thanks again.

I'm leaning towards an Epik Castle. (http://store.epiksubwoofers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=30) I'll let you know how it sounds. Any objections?

I'm leaning towards an Epik Castle. (http://store.epiksubwoofers.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=30) I'll let you know how it sounds. Any objections?

Nope, I'm sure that would be a very welcome upgrade. You should be quite pleased with the power and depth of the Castle compared to your PSW505.

You might be able to fit a MBM in that cubby hole. HSU has a deal going right now for MBM + VTF 3HO+Turbo for $1299. Put the MBM up front, HO in the back, and a smile on your face.

You might be able to fit a MBM in that cubby hole. HSU has a deal going right now for MBM + VTF 3HO+Turbo for $1299. Put the MBM up front, HO in the back, and a smile on your face.

I have 6000 cu ft and am running HSU subs. Two MBM-12's and two HSU 3.3's. Your space would do very well with one MBM and one 3.3 or HO.

Bill

I have 6000 cu ft and am running HSU subs. Two MBM-12's and two HSU 3.3's. Your space would do very well with one MBM and one 3.3 or HO.

Bill

The MBM would complement any of the subs mentioned equally well... Not sure if a Castle would be the equal of 2 VTF-3.3s but it'd definitely beat a single 3.3 or HO.

Nope, I'm sure that would be a very welcome upgrade. You should be quite pleased with the power and depth of the Castle compared to your PSW505.

I will keep the 505 in its current location and add the Castle to the back of the room.

You could slide a Definitive Technology Super Cube 1 in your opening. 14-1/4" W x 14-1/4" D x 14-1/10" H. It will be a huge step up in performance.

You could slide a Definitive Technology Super Cube 1 in your opening. 14-1/4" W x 14-1/4" D x 14-1/10" H. It will be a huge step up in performance.

Wow. They're only 30 minutes away. I'll have to stop by. If I ante up for a Super Cube Reference I'd get 11 Hz in the same space I have now.

Thanks for the tip. More research is in order.

Umm no, DT is known for reaching into the depths of the subwoofer universe to get their lower end ratings. It should be a big improvement over what you have not though.

Wow. They're only 30 minutes away. I'll have to stop by. If I ante up for a Super Cube Reference I'd get 11 Hz in the same space I have now.

Thanks for the tip. More research is in order.

I don't know what a Super Cube looks like, tastes like, sounds like, or specs like. But even with great excursion, and a big huge amp, you are not going to get good sounding bass from something so small. Sunfire has been trying for years, it just doesn't sound good as the linearity of them are just awful. Sorry to anyone I offend with that. But your original hunch of a Castle in the back of room, probably would work out much better in SPL, Depth, Distortion, and Sound Quality.

Umm no, DT is known for reaching into the depths of the subwoofer universe to get their lower end ratings.

I noticed there were no THD numbers associated with that frequency rating.

But your original hunch of a Castle in the back of room, probably would work out much better in SPL, Depth, Distortion, and Sound Quality.

...and save me money. Thanks again for the advice.

The Castle is a good option. Another good option would be dual MFW-15 subwoofers. You also have a choice of real world veneers at a premium, of course. If you are not in a hurry then that would be a pretty potent package.

--Regards,