FYI...

1 bedroom apt...all floors carpeted...8ft ceiling
living room 17 x 12
plus an L extension dining area about 8 x 6)

Denon HT receiver AVR-1707
FRONTS: Infinity RS1 on 31" Sanus wooden stands
CENTER: Infinity entra
SUB:Sony SA-W3000 180 watts 12" fiber cone (purchased on black friday 2007...$99 new! Sony lists it for $250)

Rears:
KLH...wooden 2 way bookshelf

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After moving my system and furniture in my living room to get the best sound (speakers and sub about 5" from the wall as both are rear ported), I have come to the conclusion that the sony while deep and thunderous in my apt., it's not the most musical. Not that I expect a lot for 99 dollars. But I have to wonder, would the velodyne vx-10be a step up in terms of being a bit tighter and more musical? I can get one new for $170. One would think so with Velodyne's great reputation. I have until Jan 31st to return the sub, should I decide to.

has anyone here compared the two?

thanks

Gregg

sony sub:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665089196


PS...I also plan on upgrading my fronts to the Infinity beta 10 and moving the rs1's to the rear

What is your max budget? I heard the VX10 yesterday at Fry's and it was pretty nice for what it is. If you can gather another $150 in addition to your current $100 ( By returning the Sony) get a BIC H100. After that, you need to get another $200ish ($450 or so) to really get into the game with a SVS PB10 NSD. After you pass the $500 mark you will have a ton of options.

thanks for your thoughts, but I'm on a poor man's budget....most of my use is with both reg tv and the digital music channels (jazz to adult alternative) plus the occasional cd....from acoustic hotel california (love that drum kick) to the rippingtons to springsteen and of course the occasional movie. Also in my apt not getting the neighbors upset is also an issue. My first night with the sony sub, a neighbor below me complained about the volume (and IMO it wasn't that loud). I was only wondering if the velodyne would be a step up from the sony...I would imagine that it should be.

thanks again

gregg

thanks

Yeah, I would think it would be better.

The VX-10 should be a significant upgrade in terms of sound quality. The Sony might be a bit louder, but given the apartment situation, you probably don't want "louder" anyway. I think the Velodyne is a great choice under $150. It does surprisingly well for music, given its low cost. I've always found Sony subs to be pretty boomy and bloated - not good at all for music. On the other hand, I have a VX-10 and find it does pretty well for music. I'd recommend the Velodyne.

I've always found Sony subs to be pretty boomy and bloated - not good at all for music.

thanks....I agree with that

just wondering...what are you using for your front speakers?

Since I'm a poor, live at home college student, my system is in my small 11x10 bedroom. My setup uses the JBL Venue line. I think they're a great deal at their price points, but they aren't anywhere near the quality of what many people on AVS have. I'm running two Stages for mains, a Voice for my center, and two pairs of wall-mounted Tours for surrounds, all powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX-52 receiver. For my sub, I have an SVS PB10-NSD, with a second coming in the next day or two. While I'm the first to admit it's not "high end", it does an admirable job in such a small room (under 950 cubic feet!).

I previously used the VX-10, which I mentioned in an earlier post. Overall, for its low price, it's an excellent subwoofer. I found it a bit lacking down low, but really, no <$200 subwoofer will be giving you 20hz extension with any kind of authority, if at all. I think it's a great choice for smaller rooms or in situations where really high SPL's aren't required. It blends pretty well for music and doesn't "boom" at the typical 50-70hz bloat range of many cheap subs. It's no slouch for HT, either - just realize there's low stuff you'll be missing because it can't extend deep enough. However, it sounds quite good in its usable range. You might look at some of mailiang's posts here on AVS, or PM him. Apparently he's using dual VX-10's with great success in his small room, and he has some excellent setup tips. Good luck.

Stephen

thanks again

up until november I was using a 9 year old sony 200 dollar receiver and a sony wm20 sub...more like a mid bass unit..8" and 50 watt amp....I can't get over how much better...sweeter my little infinities sound with the new denon....the best deal on little speakers anywhere seems to be VANNS...they have the Infinity Beta 10s...$88 each...no tax and no shipping (they retail for $250/pair)...they are about 12x7 and 11" deep...only a 5" woofer but are supposed to be unbelievably transparent and image really well...I figure they would be a great match with the velodyne for my small apt living room and with my new denon

Yes I noticed that the sony is a bit sloppy in the 60-100hz area...but then again it was $99. I picked up the denon at BB...reg 450 dollars...display model 209!

I used to have some high end stuff years ago...sold it when I moved from another part of the country...adcom power amp, conrad johnson vacuum tube pre-amp, KEF speakers. I am amazed how much manufacturing and technology has improved at the lower prices

I'm going to sell my older KLHs and older little sony sub on craigslist

gregg

While I don't have any personal experience with the Beta 10's, most reviews I've run across have been quite favorable. For $88 they're an incredible bargain. Paired with a VX-10, you'll have a nice little setup going on :). Enjoy!

No professional reviews though. I've searched the internet...lots of blogs and rave customer reviews but that's it. Infinity owners have told me it's a step up from my RS1s which are from around 1999....plastic woofers...the new one is ceramic/aluminum.... + better tweeter and larger and deeper box

Yeah, professional reviews are nice, but sometimes it's more beneficial to hear from people who own several products from the same company (example: the Infinity owners who have given you advice), because they can compare across different products lines in that company and give more detailed comparisons with your older Infinity speakers. Sounds like everything about the Beta 10's is an improvement...and for $88, how can you go wrong?

Since I'm a poor, live at home college student, my system is in my small 11x10 bedroom. My setup uses the JBL Venue line. I think they're a great deal at their price points, but they aren't anywhere near the quality of what many people on AVS have. I'm running two Stages for mains, a Voice for my center, and two pairs of wall-mounted Tours for surrounds, all powered by a Pioneer Elite VSX-52 receiver. For my sub, I have an SVS PB10-NSD, with a second coming in the next day or two. While I'm the first to admit it's not "high end", it does an admirable job in such a small room (under 950 cubic feet!).

I previously used the VX-10, which I mentioned in an earlier post. Overall, for its low price, it's an excellent subwoofer. I found it a bit lacking down low, but really, no <$200 subwoofer will be giving you 20hz extension with any kind of authority, if at all. I think it's a great choice for smaller rooms or in situations where really high SPL's aren't required. It blends pretty well for music and doesn't "boom" at the typical 50-70hz bloat range of many cheap subs. It's no slouch for HT, either - just realize there's low stuff you'll be missing because it can't extend deep enough. However, it sounds quite good in its usable range. You might look at some of mailiang's posts here on AVS, or PM him. Apparently he's using dual VX-10's with great success in his small room, and he has some excellent setup tips. Good luck.

Stephen


Thanks for the plug Stephen! ;) You live at home, and now you ordered another PB10? :eek: How do you get you folks to deal with all that rumbling? :confused:


Ian :D

Thanks for the plug Stephen! ;) You live at home, and now you ordered another PB10? :eek: How do you get you folks to deal with all that rumbling? :confused:


Ian :D

Hey Ian, no problem. I'll let you do all of the setup and calibration work while I play with my two PB10's :D. Seriously, though, I've seen some of your info on VX-10 calibration, and it looks like you've had tremendous success with them, so I figured I'd give a referral ;). Incidentally, my VX-10 isn't being wasted - it's being put to good use in our large family room for TV viewing. No room shaking bass was required, but the rest of the family has enjoyed having some bass to augment our bookshelf speakers for TV and music.

As for my folks living with the rumbling, fortunately my room is at the end of a long hallway with multiple insulated walls and solid-core doors separating my abode from the family room. And I try not to play things too loud when other people are home...or at least I make sure they're watching TV and creating some of their own noise to mask mine ;).

hey

just won the buy of the year on eebay...last night I bid with 5 seconds left and won a used mint condition pair of Beta 20s...$132 + $40shipping

item #130184885377