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In the market for new subwoofer - KEF or Paradigm? Which brand is better for subs?

post #1 of 26
4/15/09 at 2:25pm
Thread Starter 
Ive come down to these two (thanks to friends word of mouth and expereicne)

Paradigm DSP-3200 - $570CDN (can bargain it down to $525ish)
KEF PSW2500GB - $400CDN (can bargain it down to $375ish)

Want to buy by Fri at the latest!!! I have a buddy who has KEF subs and they are awesome, and Paradigms are amazing too from what I heard in the demo room this morning. Just not sure if I should get the KEF and save the $150 or so or get Paradigm.
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post #2 of 26
4/15/09 at 3:22pm
Neither of those will get too much respect in this place where internet-only brands rule but between the two, the Paradigm should blow the Kef away.
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post #3 of 26
4/15/09 at 3:26pm
Granted, it's expensive as hell, but if someone were going to give me a sub, price no object, I might consider something like this:

http://www2.kef.com/us/Loudspeakers/Reference/209
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post #4 of 26
4/15/09 at 8:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mojomike View Post

Neither of those will get too much respect in this place where internet-only brands rule but between the two, the Paradigm should blow the Kef away.

Have you ever heard Kef speakers? I'm not sure about their subs, but they make some pretty kick arse speakers, so I wouldn't necessarily assume that their subs are lame. Kef isn't that well known of a brand, so I don't think they really get the respect alot of other companies do, but I wouldn't necessarily rule them out.
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post #5 of 26
4/15/09 at 8:55pm
that's a really good price for the kef sub, especially in Canadian dollars. The Paradigm is no slouch and will probably outgun the Kef just on specs alone, but the Paradigm isn't the most articulate tight sound sub (it sounded a bit boomy to me)
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post #6 of 26
4/16/09 at 12:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by warpdrive View Post

that's a really good price for the kef sub, especially in Canadian dollars. The Paradigm is no slouch and will probably outgun the Kef just on specs alone, but the Paradigm isn't the most articulate tight sound sub (it sounded a bit boomy to me)

Ya im leaning towards getting the KEF sub for under $400 and saving the extra money. Only thing is its a long throw driver, how is that different from a down firing one? Will I still be able to corner load it? (thats why i like down firing woofers).

And how would the KEF stack up against the Klipsch Synergy subs?
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post #7 of 26
4/16/09 at 4:34am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Anthony1 View Post

Have you ever heard Kef speakers? I'm not sure about their subs, but they make some pretty kick arse speakers, so I wouldn't necessarily assume that their subs are lame. Kef isn't that well known of a brand, so I don't think they really get the respect alot of other companies do, but I wouldn't necessarily rule them out.

There are many well-known, well respected speaker makers whose subs are not that great. Kef is farly well known and respected among speaker brands and have been around for years, but most of the subs that stand out performance-wise are made by the companies that are sub specialists.
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post #8 of 26
4/16/09 at 6:43am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Princeismyname View Post

Ya im leaning towards getting the KEF sub for under $400 and saving the extra money. Only thing is its a long throw driver, how is that different from a down firing one? Will I still be able to corner load it? (thats why i like down firing woofers).

And how would the KEF stack up against the Klipsch Synergy subs?

Paradigm has a much larger following in the US for its subs than KEF.

The shape of the KEF costs more to build. If you can't go with internet direct brands like SVS, I would cast my vote for the Paradigm.

It weighs about 20 pounds more than the KEF. That is usually a good sign.
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post #9 of 26
4/16/09 at 7:11am
Search for HSU, and SVS subs...You won't regret it.
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post #10 of 26
4/16/09 at 7:15am
I second that. The PB10 is in your budget.
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post #11 of 26
4/16/09 at 8:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by cacihome View Post

Search for HSU, and SVS subs...You won't regret it.


HSU has no Canadian distributor. Its not a good choice in Canada exchange, duty, shipping charges. Have to ship sub back across border at own expense for any warranty issues.

SVS maybe (sonicboom audio)

Of the 2 though I'd pick the Paradigm over the KEf. I had 2 Paradigm subs a 10 inch and a PW2200 .

The SVS would likley be the best performer but its 579 plus shipping so it could end up being $100 or so more expensive.
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post #12 of 26
4/16/09 at 10:09am
SVS = fart maker
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post #13 of 26
4/16/09 at 10:36am
Quote:
Originally Posted by ls200p View Post

svs = fart maker


Rofl!
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post #14 of 26
4/16/09 at 10:39am
:d
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post #15 of 26
4/16/09 at 10:43am
SVS for the money, or if you have the source to audition one from Def Tech. I have two older PF-15tls and they still thump for the money I spent back in 2001. $450 a piece.
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post #16 of 26
4/16/09 at 11:00am
Thread Starter 
Ok thanks all for the input. I'm going to get the paradigm. Plus the kef went back up to $700 as of this morning lol.

Just one more question, do you think the klipsch 10" synergy sub would contest to this paradigm sub? A friend of mine told me that the paradigm would kill it and put it to shame, even at double the price.

10" synergy - $240 (clearance till sunday)
10" paradigm dsp3200 - $570 (but can bargain it down)

I would like to pick up a sub today or tommorow if I can! This afternoon would be nice lol.
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post #17 of 26
4/16/09 at 11:05am
No, stay away from the sub-10, lots of amp problems with it, and yes, the paradigm would best it.
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post #18 of 26
4/16/09 at 11:53am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ls200p View Post

No, stay away from the sub-10, lots of amp problems with it, and yes, the paradigm would best it.

Ok thanks bro, thats what I thought. I googled up the sub-10 for problems and the amp dying, but couldnt come up with too much. But I have heard that the synergy line as a whole isnt that great.

Ill get the Paradigm.
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post #19 of 26
4/16/09 at 1:12pm
I have the DSP-3100 and it is a great sub (I got it for 20% off or $455 Cdn).

If you are being cost conscious then consider it. The 3200 should be awesome.

You might be able to get sonicboom to come down a bit on a PB10-NSD; it's starting point is about the same as the starting point you quoted on the 3200.
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post #20 of 26
4/16/09 at 4:36pm
i have a buddy who has a brand new MFW15 in black IN canada who will sell it for $750.00 CANADIAN. if you are interested. he wants to go to the A7S 450 18" sub. email or pm me if you want to talk. it is not my sub, but my buddies. it works perfectly (had it hooked up for about 2 weeks only)
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post #21 of 26
4/17/09 at 5:22am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pure-Evil View Post

i have a buddy who has a brand new MFW15 in black IN canada who will sell it for $750.00 CANADIAN. if you are interested. he wants to go to the A7S 450 18" sub. email or pm me if you want to talk. it is not my sub, but my buddies. it works perfectly (had it hooked up for about 2 weeks only)


$300 over his budget for a used no warranty sub (he had it hooked up for 2 weeks not brand new) that is known to have major issues with failing amps?

Not a good idea not a good idea at all.
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post #22 of 26
4/17/09 at 5:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

Granted, it's expensive as hell, but if someone were going to give me a sub, price no object, I might consider something like this:

http://www2.kef.com/us/Loudspeakers/Reference/209

rofl at their statement

Bass with zero distortion.

Impossible.
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post #23 of 26
4/17/09 at 6:27am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

Granted, it's expensive as hell, but if someone were going to give me a sub, price no object, I might consider something like this

I'll take the Wilson 'Thor' thank you. Or for the coolness factor, the Krell MRS.

Actually, if I had a choice I would much rather build an infinite baffle with 8 (18" woofers) using the ceiling as the back space for rear wave separation (don't forget to use the 10x Vas rule...check !)

Of course, there is no replacement for displacement. Once you've achieved in excess of 60L of displacement, distortion levels simply become insignificant even at very high levels.

Regards,
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post #24 of 26
4/17/09 at 10:35am
Quote:
Originally Posted by theelviscerator View Post

rofl at their statement

Bass with zero distortion.

Impossible.

Zero is impossible, however, the Velodyne DD series with the servo can hold THD down to very low levels, under 2%, depending on settings.

Of course, the penalty is a little less output when set for minimum distortion.

Given that 10% is generally considered the threshold for THD audibility in subs, 2% or less is way low.
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post #25 of 26
4/17/09 at 11:15am
Quote:
Originally Posted by sivadselim View Post

.....I might consider.......

Quote:
Originally Posted by goneten View Post

I'll take the Wilson 'Thor' thank you. Or for the coolness factor, the Krell MRS.

I might consider those, too.
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post #26 of 26
4/17/09 at 11:45am
I do have this thing for orange cones though...

Regards,
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