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Bigger Subwoofer OR Subwoofer with Bass Shaker?

13003 Views 16 Replies 8 Participants Last post by darthray, Jul 2, 2012

ed3120

Discussion Starter · Jun 15, 2012

I’m thinking about either buying a Dayton Titanic III 10” or 12” DIY sub kit. The 10” comes with a 250 watt bash amp and the 12” comes with a 500 watt bash amp.

The difference in price is about $200. I’m trying to decide if it would be better to buy the bigger sub, or to buy the smaller sub with one of these bass shakers. I don’t have any experience with bass shakers, but I’ve read good things about them.

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-861

My room is a basement room with a concrete floor. It is 20’ x 17’ with a 6.5’ ceiling.

1 - 17 of 17 Posts

Jay1

· #2 · Jun 15, 2012

In a room that size you would be better off with a ported sub, vs a sealed box without a boosted low end.

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html

shadyJ

· #3 · Jun 16, 2012

Bass shakers are a gimmicky substitute for real bass. I would save up and buy multiple ported subs like the one Jay suggested. Buy a couple for corner-loading and one for near-field placement, ie right next to your seat or right behind your seat. There is a difference between having something jiggle your seat and having bass punch your chest and rumble your stomach.

Toe

· #4 · Jun 16, 2012

Get a quality sub or subs first, then add shakers later to compliment. A properly setup shaker in conjunction with quality subs is not gimmicky in the slightest. I run 4 SVS subs and dual buttkickers and BOTH play their part, but shakers should be thought of as more of a compliment once you have a good sub setup.

ed3120

Discussion Starter · #5 · Jun 20, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22136956

In a room that size you would be better off with a ported sub, vs a sealed box without a boosted low end.
http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfm1plus.html

If I wanted tighter and better quality bass, not just more bass, wouldn't I be better off with a sealed sub?

vistadelloco

· #6 · Jun 20, 2012

I bought 2 buttkickers before upgrading sub. It was awesome as is. Feels like bass minus the pounding in your chest. three months later bought two bic f12 subs.

Shakers not gimicky at all especially when movies have earthquake scenes and characters say(did you feel that?) Every time HULK steps the earth shakes HELL yea i felt that w/ buttkickers picks up the ultra low frequency your subs can't

Most who say its gimicky probably havent sat in one

Should get both subs and buttkicker just need decide which one first.

I say buttkicker first (buttkicker can act like sub /sub cant act like buttkicker)

Posted in other thread already but:

i like this guys videos - he may have his turned up too much or couch too close to wall. hes deaf which brings up another good point your theater will be hearing impaired friendly (Buttkicker+subtitles)

[= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ady5fjbbMgI][/ ]

his couch upside down with objects to see effects. i dont like his install - 1 slab of wood across the bottom 3 buttkickers

[= http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hmuc9MdA2Y4&feature=relmfu][/ ]

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Jay1

· #7 · Jun 20, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by ed3120 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22148760

If I wanted tighter and better quality bass, not just more bass, wouldn't I be better off with a sealed sub?

That's a myth. A well designed sub will sound good whether ported or sealed. Placement and proper setup is far more critical for achieving good sound quality.

ed3120

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 28, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22149580

That's a myth. A well designed sub will sound good whether ported or sealed. Placement and proper setup is far more critical for achieving good sound quality.

So would there be any advantage to going with a sealed sub in my situation?

oztech

· #9 · Jun 28, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22149580

That's a myth. A well designed sub will sound good whether ported or sealed. Placement and proper setup is far more critical for achieving good sound quality.

I agree completely with that statement and its even been proven in blind tests where people got it wrong as to whether a sealed or ported sub was being used.

Jay1

· #10 · Jun 29, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by ed3120 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22175446

So would there be any advantage to going with a sealed sub in my situation?

As I said in post #2, you would be better off just getting a good ported sub.

ed3120

Discussion Starter · #11 · Jun 29, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jay1 /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22176127

As I said in post #2, you would be better off just getting a good ported sub.

OK, like a Hsu VTF-2 MK4?

Jay1

· #12 · Jun 29, 2012

Yes!

vardo

· #13 · Jun 29, 2012

I would get the 15" Titanic Sub Kit, It's sealed, but throws out a tremendous amount of Bass. The dirver is massive ..... http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=295-420 .

I recommend this because of your big space. The kit is very easy to assemble, takes about an hour.

I have two of the 10" Titanic kits, and the sound from this 14" sealed box is tremendous. But mine are for a smaller area than yours.

I also have four aura bass shakers (two under each home theater recliner). They are fun and add to the bass experience.

Most of the peaple who don't recommend them have never had any experence with them.

Anyways just my opinion.

vardo

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Jay1

· #14 · Jun 30, 2012

The problem with sealed subs that dont have a boosted low end like the Dayton kits is, in a large room you will not gain any low end lift. The sub will start rolling off -3db in the 30-40hz range, and that will be the limit of your response. Ported subs like the HSU will be flat to 25hz or lower in a large room. The Dayton will be a lot more capable above 40hz, but this is for a HT in a pretty good sized room, so for about the 3-4th time, ported is a better option.

vardo

· #15 · Jun 30, 2012

A sealed sub (at least the Titanic Subs Kits from Parts Express) do not hit as low as say a VTF2/3, VTF3/3 etc. etc.) But the 15" Kit is flat

down to 30HZ (measured in room). Then it does roll of 3db from that point. If you are into music, the lowest bass notes are from bass

guitars at 35hz. Organs much lower. So Jay you are right about that part. The Dayton Titanic sub kits are ideal for someone who likes

sealed, smaller subs. I have four of them in a small 1425cu ft listening space. I have had many ported ones VTF1, VTF2/3, VTF3/3

and I always liked the sound of sealed. I know no one can figure out between ported and sealed subs in a listening test....but I think I can.

My subs are Dual sealed Epik Legends, and dual Parts Express Dayton Titanic 10" sealed subs. I like the sound better than the VTF3/3 (w turbo sometimes)

and MBM-12 mid bass module. The Legends go down to 20hz and sound great to me. Same with the Titanic subs.

Of course I have shakers, and it does add to the bass experience. You just have to know where to place the shakers, and what amp to use.

The only reason I mentioned the Part Express 15" Dayton is it's tremendous bass output and clean levels at that output. It's highly underrated.

It's never gonna go as low as a HSU VTF-15H but the Dayton with the shakers is mighty impressive for some people, YMMV

vardo

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Jay1

· #16 · Jun 30, 2012

That 15" kit is also $800, which is well above the OP's budget. The Epik subs have boost applied to the low end, so actually the OP would be okay going with a Legend or Empire.

darthray

· #17 · Jul 2, 2012

Quote:
Originally Posted by shadyJ /t/1415907/bigger-subwoofer-or-subwoofer-with-bass-shaker#post_22137636

Bass shakers are a gimmicky substitute for real bass. I would save up and buy multiple ported subs like the one Jay suggested. Buy a couple for corner-loading and one for near-field placement, ie right next to your seat or right behind your seat. There is a difference between having something jiggle your seat and having bass punch your chest and rumble your stomach.

I disagree, I got 2 PB13 with their own dictated 20amp circuit in a 12 x 18 x 8ft room. Adding 2 Buttkicker was one of the best thing i speed money on.

And I agree if you room is on the second level or all hard wood floor then the subs tranfer the tactil feeling to your seat.

In my case, basement with carpet over concrete, I was not getting any tactil vabration.

Buttkicker do have their place depending of your room and situation.

Ray

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