Greetings all. I’m looking for some help on buying a new sub to mate with one of the 350 W channels on a Crown 402D. While I own ~350 movies, I rarely watch any action movies, so for purposes of decision let’s just say I need a sub primarily for music. Let’s say 80/20 music, with my tastes mostly being in post-punk, indie rock, electronic and alternative hip-hop. My fronts are PSB Goldi’s (large three-way speakers) with their own Crown 402D. Since I’m getting a passive sub, I’d very much like to keep it under $400.

Doing some research on this site I've found a lot of enthusiasm for sealed subs among music lovers. Unfortunately, I haven’t found any passive sealed subs. But since my fronts already go down pretty deep, should I still be looking in that direction or should I just go for a SVS ported sub to fill in the gap at the very bottom? Where else should I be looking?

I emailed Epik about the possibility of making a passive sub and I got the following response:

Hello John!

Thanks for your email. We are currently considering selling a dual
sealed passive subwoofer. I am just ironing out the particulars of the
cabinet design. The performance is fantastic as it is a dual 15 inch
design with opposite firing drivers.

Hopefully I will have an exact answer for you by the end of the week
in regards to this product's ETA and price. The power handling will be
around ~1000 watts with a 4 ohm load on each driver (or 8 or 2 ohms
parallel) In this regard, it would be a PERFECT match with your Crown
amplifier.

I apologize for being so busy here with orders, etc. If I don't get
back to you again about this product, please send an email my way or a
phone call to remind me. :) Thanks for your patience and I look
forward to getting back to you about this product as soon as possible.

I’m assuming that two 15” drivers won’t meet the ~$400 requirement though. :(

Contact Elemental Designs. They will custom build anything you want.

The response you received from Epik is most curious.

First he says they are "currently considering selling a dual sealed passive subwoofer."

Then he says they are "ironing out the particulars of the cabinet design."

Then he says the "performance is fantastic."

Can someone enlighten me as to how the performance can be fantastic if the thing isn't even real yet?:eek:

VMPS make a range of passive subs that are aimed at the Hi-end audio market. All of their designs use a passive radiator (vs sealed or ported design) IIRC.

I picked up a couple of their subs on Craig's List for cheap and I've been very happy with their performance on music and movies.... anyway just a lesser known brand and something you might want to check out.

BTW I'm using a couple of 402D's to power mine. Excellent amps!

Can someone enlighten me as to how the performance can be fantastic if the thing isn't even real yet?:eek:

"We are currently considering selling a dual
sealed passive subwoofer"


I'd assume they'd have made a prototype. :)

Can someone enlighten me as to how the performance can be fantastic if the thing isn't even real yet?
I'd assume they'd have made a prototype.
.....and/or computer modeling.....

yeah i'm sure he plays around with different designs before he begins production. He probably means he's had fantastic results so far with what he's tried but he hasnt settled on a particular design yet.

Thanks folks for the clarification.

VMPS make a range of passive subs that are aimed at the Hi-end audio market. All of their designs use a passive radiator (vs sealed or ported design) IIRC.

I picked up a couple of their subs on Craig's List for cheap and I've been very happy with their performance on music and movies.... anyway just a lesser known brand and something you might want to check out.

BTW I'm using a couple of 402D's to power mine. Excellent amps!


I second the VMPS.


VERY good sounding subwoofer...



:)

I wasn't even aware that passive subs still existed. Every sub I have seen (in person or in an ad) for at least the last 5 years has been powered.

For $429 you can get an SVS 20-39 CS. For $479 you can get an SVS 16-46 CS. These are B-Stock. I owned an SVS 25-31 CS, that I paid $308 for. I found out that I did not like passive subwoofers. I traded my SVS 25-31 CS in for a B-Stock SVS 20-39PCi.

The 16-46 is good to below 16Hz, and is easy to move around the room. For $479 I would get the SVS 16-46CS. Virtually all of these B-Stock units are in like new condition.

I wasn't even aware that passive subs still existed.
You can get anything you want if your money is green. If an audiophile wants it, I guarantee you SOMEONE makes it.

4000 Series Cinema LF and
Subwoofer Systems

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Low Frequency Systems

4638 Dual 15", 800 Watt Low Frequency System
4648A Dual 15", 1200 Watt Low Frequency System, 4 ohms
4648A-8 Dual 15", 1200 Watt Low Frequency System, 8 ohms
Subwoofers

4641 Single 18", 600 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer
4642A Dual 18", 1200 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer
4645C Single 18", 800 Watt THX®-Approved Subwoofer


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


4638
Dual 15" Low Frequency System. 4638 Specification Sheet


from the jbl pro site, cinema section:
Low Frequency Drivers: 2035H
Frequency Range: 30 Hz - 5 kHz (-10 dB)
Power Capacity (Continuous Pink Noise): 800 Watts
Power Capacity (Continuous Program): 1600 Watts
Sensitivity: 100 dB SPL (1W, 1m, 3.3ft.)
Crossover Frequency: 500 to 800 Hz recommended
Nominal Impedance: 4 Ohms
Dimensions (HxWxD): 991 x 648 x 451 mm (39 x 25 1/2 x 17 3/4 in)
Net Weight: 42.7 kg (94 lb)

HI effiency, probably bullet proof, what do you think about one of these used?