Want advice on what sub to purchase? Please read this before posting... - Page 8

I just recently sold my monitor audio gs60 system and subwoofer and I am currently upgrading to genelec ht-206b fronts and aiw25 rears. I am stuck on my subwoofer decision. Cost aside I am considering either a genelec hts4b or 2 Martin Logan descent i's with a velodyne SMS-1 system. Anyone with experience with genelec have any thoughts?

(deleted, sorry, posted on wrong thread)

Howdy! Great site and nice informative thread!

Denon 2311i
Center RC 52II
Floor Speakers Rf 52 II
Surround RS 52II


1. Your budget. My budget i would say is $600.00 if there is a nice cheaper even better there is one that is $615 that is fine.

2. Size requirements/limits. Dont really care if it is Huge i have another end table to use.


3. Room dimensions. 13x20 five or take a few feet might be a hair bigger

4. Primary uses. 10% music 65% HT 25% gaming

5. Listening habits. I like Bass the boom want the ability to be obnoxious when the wife is away, but also like a smooth sounding bass when watching movies or tv with the wife.


6. Appearance requirements. Not high on my list not a huge deal performance first

7. Timeframe. No rush but still want one like a little kid

Why is ''current setup/system'' (receiver, speakers and the like) not included in the list?

Thanks for the info! Great stuff!

Good thread, thsanks for the info

Hello All,

I am new here but have been reading this forum for a while now. However, I am still not completely sure on what subwoofer to purchase. All my speakers are older models but still sound good to my ears at least, tv is new as is the receiver.

Here are some details.

Current Setup:
Panasonic VT25 - 58"
JBL S312BE for my front speakers
JBL S-Center Studio Series for my center channel
JBL HLS410 for the rear surround speakers
Pioneer S-W1000 subwoofer (ancient beast, given to me)
DirecTV
Sony STR-DN1010 receiver
PS3 or Panasonic 3D Blu-ray player

I have attached a photo of my room setup, taken from the top of the stairs in the back of the room. The room is 18x16 with a staircase on the back wall. Also with a cathedral ceiling starting at 8ft and going up to the second story prob 18ft or so. This room is also open to the kitchen which would be to the left of the photo attached.

Budget I am looking to spend around $1000-1100 for a subwoofer. Cosmetics and size are not an issue for me however there is only a few spots to put a sub in this room, one being where the pioneer is now in the upper right corner of the photo, or next to the couch on the left of the photo(which would not be next to the opening to the kitchen).

As most of you on this forum are bass hogs I am too! Need to feel like I am in the movie! My listening preferences is pretty much 90% movies and some radio/music.

Currently I have been reading the reviews, threads on the HSU VTF-15H, ED A5-350 which seem to me to be a good fit for my room. The two high end theater stores here in central ohio do not carry either brand. The local places do carry Paradigm and a few other names.

My cousin has a SVS PC12-NSD in his setup in his basement which sounded good as well.

After reading many many threads I am still not sure what sub would be a good fit for me.

Any help would be great!

Aaron

You can't go wrong with any of the subs listed. If you're willing to spend about $1k then I think you'll be really happy with the Vtf-15h. I have it and it continues to put a smile on my face when i watch movies with it's ability to be both subtle and powerful when called upon. It plays deep, clean, and loud authoritative bass.

When you do play music, I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at what this behemoth can do.

-Len

Joker,

With your needs I would think either an Outlaw Audio LFM-1 plus or a Hsu VTF-2 mk3 would fit the bill and get you some good home theater bass. With shipping it should put you right around $610 for either. They're both vented 12" subs designed by Dr.Hsu, have similar (except for amp power) specs, are around the same size, and will sound pretty similar. Check them out on the outlawaudio.com and hsuresearch.com websites.

Also, the Epik Legend, with it's dual opposed 12" drivers in a sealed cabinet should be in stock soon at epiksubwoofers.com. With it's special intro price of $499 and a shipping cost of $88 it should be right under what you want to spend.

-Len

Searching for info on subs, I found this forum. I've gotten lots of great info from reading these 8 pages of posts on this sticky thread. I need a sub and would love some input. I followed lalakersfan's advice and started a new thread on this "Subwoofers, Bass, and Transducers" forum. Please give me your comments there and help me spend my tax refund!

1. Your budget: $600-$800

2. Size requirements/limits: Small footprint needed

3. Room dimensions: 2700 cu ft

4. Primary uses: 100% HT

5. Listening habits: Won't cross the -25 db on the master volume much

6. Appearance requirements: Black for media room

7. Timeframe: No Time frame

8. Currently own: Onkyo 708 , B&W Speakers. Plan to upgrade to Paradigm
9. Candidates: (Have not researched physical dimenssions on all just yet)

I am not fan of loudness. Clarity is important. The sub is going sit 2 feet back from me. Appreciate any input.

**Edit* went with an Emotiva Ultra 10. Should get it soon.

I spent a lot of time looking at the BIC F12 but then was turned onto the PL200 from chatter here. But then I read that the F12 isn't good for music and the PL-200 isn't that great either. So then I was off to the HSU stuff but it's a bit more expensive. I don't need something that will blow the walls off, but I just need something to fill in the missing pieces from my IQ10s. Some advice shows that a sealed sub is best and there are none at this price range. Maybe this? http://www.emotiva.com/ultra_sub10.shtm)

If you want to see a photo of my apt layout - (all audio stuff is on wall C right now)
http://dl.dropbox.com/u/5041556/aptplan.JPG

My current setup is a Denon 789 with 2 KEF iQ10s.

1. Budget: ~$300

2. Size requirements/limits: N/A

3. Room dimensions. Living area - 11x19x8

4. Primary uses: 33/33/33: HT/ Gaming / Music

5. Listening habits. Can't be too ridiculous-I'm in a small studio apt with neighbors on two sides. I don't really go crazy with the volume knob.

6. Appearance requirements: N/A

7. Timeframe. N/A

Thank you.

Started a thread not realizing there was an ongoing sub advice thread here.

So far the advice has been to either change the room which isn't an option.

Or getting two subs. How do you know how much sub is enough especially given my situation where the cu ft is much greater due to the open chamber to the main floor.

Would two HSU VTF 15s be enough or overkill? If two is what it takes I'm okay with it. Just not my realm of knowledge.

Okay I have an odd theatre in my basement its

13' from greyhawk stewart screen to mits hc5500 pj
the screen is 106" diagonal
on either side of the screen it's probably 12'

so estimated volume would be 14' x 7' x 33' = 3234 cu ft + open stairwell to mainfloor?!!!?

In other words it's a long skinny room the reason I haven't set up the system going the long way is that it would result in either the left or right main speaker being near a wall which IMO is worse for sound. Plus a few weird bulkheads in the ceiling.

Off to one side of the screen is the stairs leading to the main floor of the house..... unfortunately it is an open staircase with railings and no door.

In my mind this means I have a massive space in terms of volume.

How does that factor in when deciding to get a sub.

Do I go for something like a used REL Britannia B1. I picked this due to it's rep as being good for music and having crazy low freq response. But admittedly that's where my limited knowledge of subs goes.

What are the subwoofer experts thoughts.

Rest of the set up is
meridian 568
emotiva xpa5
focal utopia center
green mountain audio europa max (L and R)
definitive tech rear surrounds (not sure model type they were loaned from a friend but they are old and probably on the low end of the product line)
sources: ps3, xbox 360, hd digital cable, wd tv live
EAR phonostage + technics 1200 + denon dl103 cartridge
Phillips SACD/multichannel player

inherited 12" homemade subwoofer made from a kit

before tweaking the settings that sub could rattle the crystal wine glasses hanging in the bar when watching Transformers 2

and it certainly enhanced things like listening to SACD Darkside of the Moon.... really brings out the heart beat at the beginning of the album

so in terms of HT and audiophile it has certainly held it's own but eventually I would like to upgrade.

budget 1 to 2K

probably looking at 80% movies/vid games 20% vinly and cd

wouldn't mind something with a wood finish for aesthetics but not that important and neither is size an issue.

1. Your budget.
I'd honestly like to keep it under $1500, but I can stretch the budget to 2k.

2. Size requirements/limits.
Obviously WAF is a concern, but I can fit anything I want in here. The wife will have to learn to deal with it. Compromise afterall.

3. Room dimensions.
My living room is fairly large and open. It's 5760 cubic feet. The dimensions are 18' (L) x 16' (W) x 20' (T). The room has two large openings as well, one to the kitchen, and the other to the foyer/hallway.

4. Primary uses.
I'd say we are probably pretty close to 60/40 HT/music, but that can vary. Listen to a lot of classical and metal.

Current A/V gear in the room:
TV - Samsung PN58C550 58" plasma
AVR - Denon AVR-3311CI 7.2
Amp - Emotiva UPA-5
R/L - ML Passages
Surrounds - ML Tickets
C - ML Motion C
Bluray - OPPO BDP-93
Toshiba HD-DVD XA2
Direct TV DVR

I've kind of been leaning towards a SVS PB-13 Ultra or PC-13 Ultra, but I see they have 2 B-stock PB-12 + online for $1200 so I can save some dough there. I'm not sure if I can swing a submerssive.

I have following set - up and now want to buy a sub that will match these.

Pioneer Elite 21TXH receiver
Jamo C400CEN
Jamo C401
Jamo C403

Budget: ~$300

Primary uses: TV/Music/Gaming

Listening habits: Heavy Metal/Instrumentals (sometimes..)

1. Your budget: $200 - $400

2. Size requirements/limits: No size limit.

3. Room dimensions: 12ft x 22ft

4. Primary uses: 50% TV, 30% Music, 20% Movies

5. Listening habits: My wife likes hip hop, I like acoustic so we are all over the place.

6. Appearance requirements: Black for media room

7. Timeframe: Within the next month

8. Currently own:
~~Audio Set Up~~
Denon AVR-1910 Receiver
(2) Intimus 5B Bookshelf Speakers (Front)
Intimus 4C Center Channel Speaker
(2) Intimus 4B Satellite Speakers (Rear)
~~Video Set Up~~
Panasonic 50" Plasma
Panasonic Blu Ray
Xbox 360 & Roku Box

9. Candidates: None. Hit me with anything. I will consider ALL models and brand. I am not loyal to any one specific brand here.

THANK YOU TO ANYONE WHO HELPS ME WITH THIS. I am trying to do this the right away to get a better response. I know very little about audio so I am trusting you guys! Thanks.

i would love to see these rules followed more and enforced

Hi,
First some questions:

Researching I noticed that most of the sub woofers with drivers 10" or 12" are sealed, is there any reason that there are not ported?

Is it important to base my decision on the subwoofer frequency response that has the lowest frequency? for example Emotiva Ultra Sub 12 handles up to 22Hz and Elemental Designs A3S-250 up to 25Hz.

What is the importance of the quality of the cable to connect the sub woofer?

The Emotiva Ultra Sub 12 doesn't have line level input, is this important considering I have a Marantz 5006?

I'm looking for a Sub woofer to match my Marantz 5006 receiver and Monitor Audio BX2 fronts speakers, after some research I'm between Elemental Designs A3S-250 and Emotiva Ultra Sub 12, I'll appreciate if you tell me other comparable brands, I was checking SVS, but they only have SB12-NSD (out of my budget), didn't find any 10" SVS, the same with Epik, let me know if there are planning to release soon.

1. Your budget. up to $500

2. Size requirements/limits. 10" to 12" driver

3. Room dimensions. I'm planning to move, as you see the receiver is a 100rms, then something to match or exceed it

4. Primary uses. 70% music, 30% movies

5. Listening habits. Not too loud, until I move to another place

6. Appearance requirements. N/A

7. Timeframe. N/A

How about an epik legend for $499

Epik Legend $75.08 shipping

Thanks Mpray1983
All the other sub woofers are $1 or free shipping. I see that the frequency range for the low is 20 HZ vs 25 from the Emotiva, I'm wondering if this difference is audible.

There is a development in the specifications of the sub woofer, wife say no more that 15inches height so it can fit under a table.

I checked SVS 12NSD and it is good in all senses but one , the price researching I saw the model in 2009 was $550, today is $749, I will guess now is an updated model, anyway does anyone knows if in the past SVS had promotions, maybe black Friday.

SB12-NSD now is $649

That is an awesome price...pull the trigger

1. Your budget. $400(ish)...lower is better though!

2. Size requirements/limits. None.

3. Room dimensions. 13Wx15Lx8H...1560 cubic feet (small). There is a large opening in the back (about 8 ft), and the sub will sit on a wood floor, and likely be in the corner.

4. Primary uses. 100% movies and games, no music.

5. Listening habits. I don't really like to play my stuff loud at all...definitely no where near reference levels. I get to maybe 45-50 on my receiver (mine starts at 0 and goes up).

6. Appearance requirements. None, except for it has to be black.

7. Timeframe. None...I'd like to buy within the next few months.

All I have right now is a 10" Polk HTiaB subwoofer. I have two Polk Monitor70s and a Polk CS2 center, with 4 Onkyo surrounds I'm going to replace later. I was looking at the HSU STF-2, Elemental Design A2 - 300, Elemental Design A3S - 250, Emotiva Ultra Sub 12, and Emotiva Ultra Sub 10. Then of course the BIC America F12 and Polk PSW505 (though I am not sure if they even compare to the other subs on this list?).

Thanks a ton!

Output vs accuracy, which is more important? It seems to me that, in this forum, output means everything and accuracy is secondary.

While I like output a lot, I prefer accuracy these days. So having said that, what is a good accurate (low distortion) sub for about $600 that also looks nice?

1. Your budget: less than 1k
2. Size requirements/limits: i suppose none
3. Room dimensions: 13x13
4. Primary uses: 80% HT/ 20% music
5. Listening habits: loud
6. Appearance requirements: black
7. Timeframe: asap
8. Currently own: Klipsch Icon KF-28 floors, KC-25 center, KS-14 surrounds, and a SW-450 sub with a Denon 1912 receiver.
9. Candidates: Have not researched


I dont know what i need or want, I just know that i want more bass. Either add a sub? or change to a different single sub?

1. Your budget: less than 1k, maybe more
2. Size requirements/limits: I want infrasonic, rib cage rattling bass.
3. Room dimensions: 12x11 theater area with rear open to large rec rom.
4. Primary uses: 80% HT/ 20% music
5. Listening habits: loud
6. Appearance requirements: none
7. Timeframe: last sub (12" Def Tech) died, so any time would be nice.
8. Currently own: Yamaha RXA3000, DT BP7002 x 4, DT CLR3000
9. Candidates: anything that hits hard under 20Hz without farting.