Hey guys,

Have been bashing my head against the wall a bit on this one. I think if I lived in the States it would have been easier, but i don't so it isn't.

So, to sum up, I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and i'm looking for a sub. WAF is a massive factor, room is 900 square feet, double volume height. Yes, I know. But this is not the HT room, that's already sorted, I'm looking for something to complement the music system. Speakers are all PSB Image, 2x T65 towers, 2x S50 surrounds & a C60 centre running of a Emotiva XPA-5x200w amp.

Have already spent a bit too much on AV & Crestron systems, & the recession isn't a rumour, but a reality, so the budget is at about $2k for now.

So, have done some shopping around, and,

SVS local importer can do me a PB12-Plus for about $2.4k in Oak
HSU can ship to me from the States, a VTF3 MK3 for $1.7k, or a ULS15 $2.3k( wireless sounds great) - in Walnut
Local Velodyne dealer can do me a black SPL-R1200 for $1.9k (auto eq feature a huge plus)
I can get the Velodyne CHT-R for almost a third of that, but they are rather more ugly.
a Sunfire HRS-12 will run $1.3k, the True EQ 12" will be $2.7k
even looked at Vandersteen, the V2W is $1.1k, maybe 2 of those
i rather like the REL Acoustics R505 at $2.3k for the oak

but at this stage i'm leaning towards the SPL-R1200 i guess...

This is usually where everybody says "go DIY!", but remember, I can't get the components you guys get over here, I'd have to ship them over (heavy!!!), i'd have to deal with being 220v, and i'd probably use the joiner that made the kitchen, and he's VERY expensive.

Man, I was down there just last week. I could have brought you a Fathom f110 in my carry-on luggage! :)

Personally, I'd be inclined to buy local. If you get something shipped direct from the US and it's busted in transit or develops a fault, you're a long long way from the customer service department.

Hmm, agreed, that pretty much puts the HSU's out of the running...

Hey guys,

Have been bashing my head against the wall a bit on this one. I think if I lived in the States it would have been easier, but i don't so it isn't.

So, to sum up, I live in Cape Town, South Africa, and i'm looking for a sub. WAF is a massive factor, room is 900 square feet, double volume height. Yes, I know. But this is not the HT room, that's already sorted, I'm looking for something to complement the music system. Speakers are all PSB Image, 2x T65 towers, 2x S50 surrounds & a C60 centre running of a Emotiva XPA-5x200w amp.

Have already spent a bit too much on AV & Crestron systems, & the recession isn't a rumour, but a reality, so the budget is at about $2k for now.

So, have done some shopping around, and,

SVS local importer can do me a PB12-Plus for about $2.4k in Oak
HSU can ship to me from the States, a VTF3 MK3 for $1.7k, or a ULS15 $2.3k( wireless sounds great) - in Walnut
Local Velodyne dealer can do me a black SPL-R1200 for $1.9k (auto eq feature a huge plus)
I can get the Velodyne CHT-R for almost a third of that, but they are rather more ugly.
a Sunfire HRS-12 will run $1.3k, the True EQ 12" will be $2.7k
even looked at Vandersteen, the V2W is $1.1k, maybe 2 of those
i rather like the REL Acoustics R505 at $2.3k for the oak

but at this stage i'm leaning towards the SPL-R1200 i guess...

This is usually where everybody says "go DIY!", but remember, I can't get the components you guys get over here, I'd have to ship them over (heavy!!!), i'd have to deal with being 220v, and i'd probably use the joiner that made the kitchen, and he's VERY expensive.


I'd love to visit South Africa some day. Actually I'd like to just see some of Africa period. I have been thinking about a safari of some kind for a while now. I have a cousin that was a tour guide for a while and he says there is nothing like Africa.

Hmmm, just checked out Rythmik's stuff.

Now, call me silly, but my joiner shouldn't have too much trouble doing 2 of those down firing sealed 12" boxes in a nice wallnut veneer, throw in a 8033 eq ...

That would be a nice setup. Rhythmik have a good rep. And it's a lot cheaper to just ship the electronics. If you want to independently EQ two subs, maybe check out the new SVS AS-EQ1.

You might want to try www.audiospecialists.co.za as they carry Paradigm. Check out costs on a DSP-3400.


..but if you have the skills, a Rythmik DIY would be great!

This is usually where everybody says "go DIY!", but remember, I can't get the components you guys get over here, I'd have to ship them over (heavy!!!), i'd have to deal with being 220v, and i'd probably use the joiner that made the kitchen, and he's VERY expensive.

You totally read my mind here! Even if you can't get the components it'll be much cheaper to ship just the drivers and amps over than the entire sub. And for 220v, there's got to be power amps available that'll do 220.

Regarding the Rythmik, I had the chance to listen to one at a subwoofer GTG this last weekend (actually two, there was a sealed and a ported at the GTG). I have to say I was pretty impressed with what it brings to the table. Not the most SPL out of the bunch but it was definitely in the top tier for SQ. I'm sure you'd need at least two your large room.

Ok thanx, mailed those guys about the Paradigm subs, and mailed Rythmik about shipping to SA. Man, going DIY just feels like opening a can of worms though. Finding out what the right amp size is, PEQ or not, etc.

hmmmm...... Maybe I should stick with the Velo, or maybe Paradigm quotes me happy.

Man, going DIY just feels like opening a can of worms though. Finding out what the right amp size is, PEQ or not, etc.


No pro-amp options over in SA?

If you can source Behringer then all your amp/EQ needs are met...you just need to find out how much a driver costs to send there and if there is a box maker somewhere local.

I DIY isn't always a good option for some but it seems the $$$ of other options is pretty crazy!

ULS15 $2.3k

So its $1K for shipping?

What about if you find a group of people and buy in bulk? Start a local audio club and pool your resources for that freight costs.

Ok thanx, mailed those guys about the Paradigm subs, and mailed Rythmik about shipping to SA. Man, going DIY just feels like opening a can of worms though. Finding out what the right amp size is, PEQ or not, etc.

hmmmm...... Maybe I should stick with the Velo, or maybe Paradigm quotes me happy.

Rythmik kits have drivers and matching plate amps--no worries there.

Ok,
Paradigm got back to me, they are well inside my budget @ $1.2k for the DSP-3400. In the meantime i've gone berserk on researching the Rythmik stuff, so I'll probably starting up a thread over on the DIY sub forum as well. Thx for the help so far guys.

Looking at HertzDesign (SVS dealer in SA), they show the Ultra-13 at R 25,125 or US$2,386 with VAT included. Are there other taxes and are they local enough to pick up instead of ship?

They also show the PB12+ at R 17,146.58 or US$1,628. For some reason, they still show the old 12.3 plus and not the redesigned 12.4 plus. They also show the +/2 and the NSD version of the low line. Maybe they are still trying to clear old stock. If so, there could be a real opportunity to negotiate a good deal. It may be their web site is just out of date.

If you don't go DIY, the DSP-3400 looks to be your best value.

I do like the Velo SPL series, but $1.9k for the 1200. Looking at your other priced options, I guess that's comparable. How much more for the 1500?

Seaton Sound Submersive

With shipping and what not it will likely be a little over budget but worth it.

Seaton Sound Submersive

With shipping and what not it will likely be a little over budget but worth it.In the US it would be a little over budget. In South Africa, it would be way over budget. It's the shipping and taxes that make the US made subs so expensive in SA.

What's the tax in SA? You have to look at the overall value of the whole package, ie price performance ratio. How much is the shipping gonna run you? $300 max probably.
Eg How a Velo 1200 can go against a Submersive or PB13U is pretty much beyond me. :)

Dual Rythmik DS1500 would be good too.

What's the tax in SA? You have to look at the overall value of the whole package, ie price performance ratio. How much is the shipping gonna run you? $300 max probably.
Eg How a Velo 1200 can go against a Submersive or PB13U is pretty much beyond me. :)

Dual Rythmik DS1500 would be good too.Just look at some of the prices the OP has gotten from SVS, HSU, Velo, Paradigm. Then compare them to US prices. The other consideration is what can be gotten locally as service would be killer if something had to be returned. I would think there has to be some more, good, locally available subs in this price range.

Just look at some of the prices the OP has gotten from SVS, HSU, Velo, Paradigm. Then compare them to US prices. The other consideration is what can be gotten locally as service would be killer if something had to be returned. I would think there has to be some more, good, locally available subs in this price range.

Gezuz, I Did not see that. You are right....why is it 2.3k for a ULS15?! 40% local tax?

Sad reality : You need to get like 3-4pcs Velo 1200 to equate to a PB13U on SPL aspect alone, and at the freq level of 40Hz above where the sealed Velo sub shd shine. :cool: (ignoring other aspects of course). You are right, OP need to find better value local options. :D

I'm not sure about SA, but over here there are really very very few reports of subs being damaged. I have 10 drivers in 3 shipments, 1 SVS, 1 Danley sub....no issues. I usually ask for Bax, and I find that USPS uses Bax/EMS too for my location. I think at least for SVS you do not really pay for the shipping returns from what I read on the local forums....if after troubleshooting the fault is found its "no questions asked - parts sent".

And the funny thing is that HSU is run by a guy from my country. LOL!

The prices I got from ULS does not include tax or import duties, that's just shipping costs. The SVS prices I have are direct from HertzDesign. All the other prices I got from local suppliers.
Thing is, I can buy 3 DSP-3400 subs for the price of one PB1-3Ultra, and nowadays that's the Earl Geddes approach to doing things. But I'm only spending $2k, so it's 2x DSP-3400's.
or maybe 2 Rythmik 15's

Hey Dot, welcome to the forums and yes, DIY is the way to go in your case. The Behringer EP2500 would be the perfect amplifier at 220v and here's a link to the South African Distributor.

http://www.proaudio.co.za/product/behringer-europower-ep2500

I'd look for locally available autosound subwoofers as well. JL Audio has a distributor in South Africa and two 13W7 would make for a great system with the EP2500, falls well within your budget and would outperform dollar for dollar ANYTHING you could buy stateside and ship home. If you're interested i'll model some enclosures for you.

The prices I got from ULS does not include tax or import duties, that's just shipping costs.
Wow, mean the shipping cost 2.3k - 1.4 = usd 900 for the ULS-15? Shipping's always that expensive to SA?

It costed someone here in SG usd1485 to get the ULS-15 here, so its usd186 shipping. I got my Danley TH-112 which is ~ 2X the weight and over 3X the volume for usd280 shipping via BAX. I think its nearly usd300 for the PB-13U.

Hey Dot, welcome to the forums and yes, DIY is the way to go in your case. The Behringer EP2500 would be the perfect amplifier at 220v and here's a link to the South African Distributor.

http://www.proaudio.co.za/product/behringer-europower-ep2500

I'd look for locally available autosound subwoofers as well. JL Audio has a distributor in South Africa and two 13W7 would make for a great system with the EP2500, falls well within your budget and would outperform dollar for dollar ANYTHING you could buy stateside and ship home. If you're interested i'll model some enclosures for you.This man has good ideas. You should listen to him. :)