So all things being equal, is one type intrinsically better than the other?

Does the answer differ for music vs. home theater applications?

Does the answer differ if it is placed on a hardwood floor?

Assuming I am using book shelf speakers as mains and I like to listen to two channel music alot; but I also want a good set up for 5.1 movies; how do these compare:

ACI Titan XL or Velodyne DD-12. The used DD-12 seems to at least approach the ballpark cost of a new Titan XL.

I will be buying only one sub for use in a moderately large great room (with a hardwood floor).

Thanks for any help!

Forward firing would be a better solution if you want to hide the sub by placing it in a cabinet,firing out into a grill in the cabinet door.

I have a few downward firing subs,most are front firing.Even have some rear firing(Klipsch RSWs).All work great for music,and the idea a down or rear firing is not adequate for a higher cutoff is often not founded.

Thanks for the reply. However, the sub will not be in a cabinet. It will be in or near the corner of the room, about 3-4 feet to the right of an entertainment center.

The two I listed both have big brothers listed near the top of Craigsub's list of best subwoofers. They (Titan XL and DD-12) are also well regarded based on what I have found in reviews or forum discussions. Of course one is forward firing (the Velodyne) and the other downward-firing, so I am back to my original questions from my first post.

I'd recommend picking the sub based on other criteria than forward firing vs. down firing. Either can be well implemented. Our subs are often installed in cabinets, etc. as forward firing subs and there really is no difference in SQ.

I have a few downward firing subs,most are front firing.Even have some rear firing(Klipsch RSWs).All work great for music,and the idea a down or rear firing is not adequate for a higher cutoff is often not founded.


I actually reread this post and see that the second paragraph was a more general reply, not to do with cabinets. I am drawn to the words "often not founded" regarding down-firing subs at higher cross-overs. So the implication is that there are possible drawbacks?

When I started my journey to make my family room home-theater capable, I never gave the subwoofer much thought; just going on the mantra that bass is omnidirectional and placement is unimportant. Since I discovered the AVS forum about a year ago I have gained quite an education of implementation of audio equipment, and I am now down to the point of being ready to buy stuff, hence my questions.

I want to dispel the cabinet issue completely as it is not relevant.

I have one location against my front wall, either in the corner at the right or moved away from that corner along the front wall toward an entertainment center that has bookshelf speakers (maximum allowable distance from corner is maybe 3-4 feet).

I assume with the bookshelf speakers I am looking to get I will be crossing them over with the sub at about 80 Hz.

I have hardwood floors, though a big area rug covers the seating area (but will not extend to where the subwoofer will be).

I intend to listen to two-channel music (using the sub) as much or possibly more than watching surround sound movies.

Based on these specific constraints will one or other of the two subs I've named be a better choice? And will the down or forward firing orientation play a role in the decision?

IF you were crossing over much higher, the forward firing could become an issue. At 100 and lower, this is a non-issue. You simply want to pick the best sub regardless of forward or down firing.

Consider SQ, appearance, customer support, warranty, etc. in your decision, but don't worry about forward or downfiring . . .