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5K views 37 replies 12 participants last post by  mercury 
#1 ·
Can't seem to find a review of that sub that isn't very positive. I'll be replacing a BIC F12 that is bloated and boomy. It can't hang with my Martin Logan Electromotions anymore. The XS15 narrowly beat out the HSU VTF-2 MK4 and the SVS SB-2000. I listen to music/movies 50/50 in a 13x13 living room. Any input before I take the plunge is appreciated.
 
#2 ·
#3 ·

I would probably buy two myself if it wasn't for the fact that the satin black finish for $799 is so hideous. The other finishes like black ash will run you $450 more for one sub. I just don't get it. This is the very thing that is preventing me from buying. My original thought was two of them in black ash for $1600 instead of the Rythmik FV15HP. Looks like it's going to be the black ash Rythmik for me.

Good Luck
 
#4 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454275


I would probably buy two myself if it wasn't for the fact that the satin black finish for $799 is so hideous. The other finishes like black ash will run you $450 more for one sub. I just don't get it. This is the very thing that is preventing me from buying. My original thought was two of them in black ash for $1600 instead of the Rythmik FV15HP. Looks like it's going to be the black ash Rythmik for me.

Good Luck

The finish options were 150.00 extra up until the price of wood went thru the roof. Remember PSA uses real wood veneer...its not the cheap ****!
 
#6 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454275


I would probably buy two myself if it wasn't for the fact that the satin black finish for $799 is so hideous. The other finishes like black ash will run you $450 more for one sub. I just don't get it. This is the very thing that is preventing me from buying. My original thought was two of them in black ash for $1600 instead of the Rythmik FV15HP. Looks like it's going to be the black ash Rythmik for me.

Good Luck


One post joined today.... can anyone say shady troll.....


have you ever seen the satin black finish?? my guess is no. the black satin finish imho is nothing short of amazing. it blends in and is more durable then most finishes. and looks damn good if not better. also the black ash that svs uses(someone correct me if i'm wrong) is a vinyl lines type material... PSA uses real wood....


thanks for playing.
 
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#7 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454328


I understand, but now we are in the same price range of the Rythmik FV15HP but with even less power. How many people out there are willing to say for the same price they will choose the XV15? 

Not this guy.

Thats not the point...when you spend the extra for a furniture grade finish you are no longer looking at the performance alone.
 
#8 ·

I just went back to the PSA site to confirm my feelings for the satin black and I just can't get myself to like it. Believe me, I want two XV15's. I try an imagine what these two would look like with my other audio/video stuff and can't see any visual happiness in satin black. These subs will be right out in front, not hidden at all. Maybe they just need some furniture polish or something to brighten them up from that boring dull look.
 
#9 ·
Post up some pictures of your out front stuff. Love to see it
 
#10 ·

If you want a furniture grade finish but don't want to pay the extra cost on PSA, try other brands.  You can get an svs sub in a premium finish starting at 1400 for the pb12 plus.  You can get the rythmik fv15hp in piano instead of the vinyl wrap for just over $1700.  There are other companies that offer premium finishes also.  But you will pay for them no matter what company you choose.
 
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#11 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bear123  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454477


If you want a furniture grade finish but don't want to pay the extra cost on PSA, try other brands.  You can get an svs sub in a premium finish starting at 1400 for the pb12 plus.  You can get the rythmik fv15hp in piano instead of the vinyl wrap for just over $1700.  There are other companies that offer premium finishes also.  But you will pay for them no matter what company you choose.

True, but imo Piano gloss black can not be compared to real wood veneer. It does not cost as much for the material to do the finish. There is a reason why SVS and Rythmik dropped real wood finishes. Theay are costly and do not sell that often...it was a true bargain when PSA was offering 6 different real wood finishes for 150.00 extra.
 
#12 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454275


I would probably buy two myself if it wasn't for the fact that the satin black finish for $799 is so hideous. The other finishes like black ash will run you $450 more for one sub. I just don't get it. This is the very thing that is preventing me from buying. My original thought was two of them in black ash for $1600 instead of the Rythmik FV15HP. Looks like it's going to be the black ash Rythmik for me.

Good Luck

The satin finish is far from hideous. Enjoy the black ash Rythmik
 
#13 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Gov  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454508



The satin finish is far from hideous. Enjoy the black ash Rythmik
its just a vinyl wrap, not a premium finish.
 
#14 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454275


I would probably buy two myself if it wasn't for the fact that the satin black finish for $799 is so hideous. The other finishes like black ash will run you $450 more for one sub. I just don't get it. This is the very thing that is preventing me from buying. My original thought was two of them in black ash for $1600 instead of the Rythmik FV15HP. Looks like it's going to be the black ash Rythmik for me.

Good Luck

I have to agree, I simply have ruled PSA out of consideration for a new subwoofer because they do not offer a more aesthetically pleasing finish, the vinyl ash or gloss black look much better than the satin black ( I own gloss black SVS, have seen the new PB2000 and have seen the XV15). If PSA is offering an upgrade to real wood logically why not offer an upgrade to gloss black which is extremely popular in home theater....


Maybe its in the works...
 
#15 ·
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I was concerned about the sand-textured finish of the XS30 (the pictures aren't very complimentary … and neither are the wood-grain photos). And yes, if I didn't like it I would have sent it back, especially since I was so impressed with the Ultra's piano black finish. Turns out I had nothing to worry about. The sand-texture finish is actually quite nice and I ended up really liking it. Plus, it's much easier to take care of compared to the piano black.


But hey, it's okay that people don't like the finish (provided they actually have seen the finish in person). We are all different in what we like and what matches the aesthetics of our home.
 
#16 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by basshead81  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454501


True, but imo Piano gloss black can not be compared to real wood veneer. It does not cost as much for the material to do the finish. There is a reason why SVS and Rythmik dropped real wood finishes. Theay are costly and do not sell that often...it was a true bargain when PSA was offering 6 different real wood finishes for 150.00 extra.

Actually, piano black can even cost more. A normal grand piano often has at least 7 coats of paint, each coat followed by a finer sanding (except the last coat/overcoat, obviously). I think Seaton use to charge about $700 for piano black (it hasn't been available for some time though). I don't know how many coats of paint are on my Ultra, but it looks great.
 
#17 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by rohfan2112  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454106


Can't seem to find a review of that sub that isn't very positive. I'll be replacing a BIC F12 that is bloated and boomy. It can't hang with my Martin Logan Electromotions anymore. The XS15 narrowly beat out the HSU VTF-2 MK4 and the SVS SB-2000. I listen to music/movies 50/50 in a 13x13 living room. Any input before I take the plunge is appreciated.

I'm a bit surprised that you found the BIC F12 bloated and boomy. Whenever I hear those words about any subwoofer, I immediately think "location" (it may be placed in the wrong spot). You might take your BIC and do a subwoofer crawl (set the BIC on top of your listening position, then crawl around to discover what area(s) that it sounds the best). If it was the location, then the same thing will no doubt happen with a new sub in that location. I do agree that the BIC may not hang with your MLs as much as you'd like and an XS15 would do wonders for your room (as long as it is properly placed).
 
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#19 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by rohfan2112  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24454106


Can't seem to find a review of that sub that isn't very positive. I'll be replacing a BIC F12 that is bloated and boomy. It can't hang with my Martin Logan Electromotions anymore. The XS15 narrowly beat out the HSU VTF-2 MK4 and the SVS SB-2000. I listen to music/movies 50/50 in a 13x13 living room. Any input before I take the plunge is appreciated.
Buy it now.
 
#20 ·
The Satin black is anything but dull. When the sun hits it it looks like a diamond finish. I'm jot even kidding either. It's very nice. Mine are out in the open in my living room and they look great! But to each his own
 
#22 ·

Brian you have the woofer on one side up pretty tight against your entertainment center.  No issues with that?  That does look pretty cool by the way with the sunlight.
 
#23 ·
I'm running an XS-15 with my MartinLogan Motions- LX-16's for L/R, EM-C2 center and FX surrounds. I went and listened to ML dynamo 1000 and velodyne subs (amongst others) at retail before ordering the XS-15, and they were... OK, but when you threw serious content at them, they all got muddy- I'm talking throwing on transformers and listen carefully when Michael Bay is doing his thing. I have not had the opportunity to listen to any of the other internet direct subs, but I am absolutely ecstatic with the performance of the XS-15 I bought. I have yet to throw anything at it that it didn't "just handle" without an audible sign of strain that my ears could detect. I recommend it without reservations!


Cheers

Ikarius
 
#24 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mini-Wheat  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24455115


Sorry, I did not know that. I guess I was a little harsh on my comments.  I am very attracted to the PSA brand name and maybe I could get over the whole satin black issue. Sorry if I offended anybody out there.

I doubt you offended many here, at least not me. As I mentioned, I had the same concern as you. Heck, anyone looking at the photos might have a concern. I've tried to photograph my XS30 several times since I've owned it and none of the pictures I took could convey how nice it actually looks. Now that doesn't mean that you won't dislike it when you see it in person, but I doubt that will be the case. I also think the term "satin" black is a misnomer (don't know why PSA describes it that way). It's a far deeper black (but has a sparkle or sheen due to the sand-texture finish) than the satin black sub I auditioned from Hsu.


Best of luck on your search.
 
#25 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by bear123  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24455240


Brian you have the woofer on one side up pretty tight against your entertainment center.  No issues with that?  That does look pretty cool by the way with the sunlight.
Nope. According to tom as long as there is 1" or more away from a surface it will have zero effect on performance. And despite how it looks in the pic I have it actually closer to 2" away



 
#26 ·

Quote:
Originally Posted by Brian Fineberg  /t/1521509/about-to-order-a-psa-xs15-is-it-really-that-solid#post_24456423


Nope. According to tom as long as there is 1" or more away from a surface it will have zero effect on performance. And despite how it looks in the pic I have it actually closer to 2" away





Basically it just comes down to the air "spring" in front of the driver. You don't want a pressure change here(due to being too close to a wall for example) as that can mess with the system (box/driver) rebound force. Too close and you'll start to see an attenuation of the upper frequencies (mainly above 80hz) too. Since the XS30 drivers are recessed one full inch from the front baffle we can fudge a bit here too.


Tom V.

Power Sound Audio
 
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