Captivator S2 vs Orbit Shifter - Page 2

Originally Posted by coolgeek


I took a look at your Blind Shootout (actually read almost all of it). This is what I am getting from it.

The OS = 5th in the Music category out of 7 subs. Could this mean it's not musical?? And could it be because of it's lack of lower fr? I know music sounds incredible with lower fr.

The OS = 3rd in the Movie category.

And in BOTH cat, lost to the Captivator.

Oh, but it's still so, so tempting. Of course, the Captivator did so well, the Cap S2 may be even better...

Originally Posted by coolgeek

Had to wait for a while yet anyways until my house renovation is underway. Could be months away. Still at research phase, but have zeroed in on JTR Speakers.



Just checked out your HT Build thread. Pretty cool stuff.. Double OS.. *drool* Ok, since you have 2 OS, mind if I asked whether if you had only 1, will be your satisfied or it's just not enough bass yet?

Originally Posted by coolgeek

Had to wait for a while yet anyways until my house renovation is underway. Could be months away. Still at research phase, but have zeroed in on JTR Speakers.

Originally Posted by jedimastergrant

Yes, the cap S2 was not at the meet but we listened to 2 cap s's and that should be very very close to one S2.

Again, I really would not worry about the extension. One of the things I listened to at the meet extremely closely was the extension in hopes that it would clue me in to the configuration of the subs. I could rarely perceive a difference in extension. Sometimes yes, but other factors always contributed to my overall enjoyment of the subs. And I should practice what I preach as I am currently a bit hung up on the extension issue. I think it is so difficult because you are afraid you are missing out on something.

As to the music performance. First of all I felt the music performance was much more similar between the subs. It was the movies that differentiated them for me usually a little more than the music. My perception of the OS when playing music was that it had very good extension.

One of the defining characteristics for me with the OS (and this is backed up by my subjective writing done before I knew the identity of the subs) was that it seemed to be very clean and did not necessarily lend it's own sound to the music. I also said that the sub did not really stick out and that this may be a good thing. I think this points to lower distortion and that we had lots of headroom to go for the OS. If you are looking for the cleanest sound then I would go with the OS.

And of course I agree that you can't go wrong with either one. Corner loading the OS adds greatly to the low end per JTR site. One of the reasons I have not pulled the trigger on the OS is it would be very hard for me to corner load it. Maybe I should take my own advice and not stress out about missing a few low end Hz that I could not perceive in the blind listening anyway.

I am very intrigued to hear that RMK could barely tell the difference btwn 1 and 2 of these in his room. I am sure proper placement and EQ is key to this. How big is his room again? I will have only 2700 cubic feet.

Originally Posted by jedimastergrant

Yes, the cap S2 was not at the meet but we listened to 2 cap s's and that should be very very close to one S2.

Again, I really would not worry about the extension. One of the things I listened to at the meet extremely closely was the extension in hopes that it would clue me in to the configuration of the subs. I could rarely perceive a difference in extension. Sometimes yes, but other factors always contributed to my overall enjoyment of the subs. And I should practice what I preach as I am currently a bit hung up on the extension issue. I think it is so difficult because you are afraid you are missing out on something.

As to the music performance. First of all I felt the music performance was much more similar between the subs. It was the movies that differentiated them for me usually a little more than the music. My perception of the OS when playing music was that it had very good extension.

One of the defining characteristics for me with the OS (and this is backed up by my subjective writing done before I knew the identity of the subs) was that it seemed to be very clean and did not necessarily lend it's own sound to the music. I also said that the sub did not really stick out and that this may be a good thing. I think this points to lower distortion and that we had lots of headroom to go for the OS. If you are looking for the cleanest sound then I would go with the OS.

And of course I agree that you can't go wrong with either one. Corner loading the OS adds greatly to the low end per JTR site. One of the reasons I have not pulled the trigger on the OS is it would be very hard for me to corner load it. Maybe I should take my own advice and not stress out about missing a few low end Hz that I could not perceive in the blind listening anyway.

I am very intrigued to hear that RMK could barely tell the difference btwn 1 and 2 of these in his room. I am sure proper placement and EQ is key to this. How big is his room again? I will have only 2700 cubic feet.

Originally Posted by MIkeDuke

I don't have either of these(I have a SubMersive HP) but I sense some analysis paralysis setting in. From what I have READ about the OS and the regular Cap. it seems they are both fantastic subs. I really don't think you would feel slighted if you got either one. I mean RMK, granted he has dual OS's I don't think has complained of felt he was missing anything. How much chest thumping do you need? I mean, again, based on what I have read, I don't think anybody complained about chest thumping with the Cap. And I really don't think the OS will be so bad on the low stuff that TRON and HTTYD will sound like crap. Get whatever fits your room and budget. I really doubt the "regret" demon will be nipping at your heals if you buy either one.
(Man I type slow. Kevin and Archaea just about said what I just wrote)

Originally Posted by RMK!


My room is 3600^3 sealed. My OS's are in an alcove (15' wide by 28" deep) in the front of the room. Each OS has the horn exit within 18" of the rooms front corners. That definitely qualifies as corner loaded and I'm sure that contributes to my subs ULF performance.

Like you, I find the <18hz non-audible stuff fun but not my highest priority. The clean, seemingly infinite power of the OS's in the 18-100Hz frequencies makes them worth the money I paid and is why, despite my joking around, they have a permanent home in my HT.

Originally Posted by KevinH

BTW RMK, I moved some stuff out of the room I wasn't using like a desk and some misc. stuff..........and moved in the 2nd OS . My pre/pro is out getting some upgrades but when I get it back, both OSs are going for a ride at the same time. I've got one at about the midpoint on each side wall(really only option in this small temp room). I did get to listen to a lot of stuff last weekend before my processor went in.....just one OS hooked up..........and have to say I am mighty impressed and pleased.

Originally Posted by pennynike1

Thanks to Jeff's Open House today, I got the opportunity to listen to dual Captivator 1000's and Dual Orbit shifters. I have not heard the Captivator S2's, but I did see the cabinets, and I would be very interested in hearing them with the 4,000 amp (same amp as the Orbit shifter).

Originally Posted by Jeff Permanian

The Captivator S2 has about 6db more output capability below 20hz however the Orbit Shifter has about 6db more output capability above 20hz. The difference of 6db is the same as adding a secound subwoofer.

Originally Posted by mastermaybe

So essentially: the OShifter will have the upper hand (in the output dept) with at least 97% of the content the .1/LFE channel will ever see with movies and about 99.5% with music. That's 20+hz.

James

Originally Posted by mojomike 

Wouldn't it be great to see some third party testing of the subs by Josh Ricci in order to clearly define which of the subs would be best for someone's needs?