I'm looking for something new for my living room. It's smallish in size and has the normal couch and whatnot. Definitely not a dedicated theater. Mostly used for TV watching (Netflix, Amazon Prime, etc., including movies streamed from Apple TV or Blu-Rays played on the Oppo 105), but also some music (maybe 20% music?) including music/live concert Blu-Rays.
For reasons, I've narrowed my choices down to two possible setups. I know there are many, many more, and some will be considered better. But I've settled on these two.
Anyway, looking for opinions on which way to go (hopefully from those who've heard both...)
Option 1: Definitive Technology BP-9060's in the front, plus their equivalent center. (My rears will stay the same, not replaced, and I may eventually add the A90 Atmos modules, but not right away). The 9060's have built-in subs, so no external sub with this setup. I have a feeling the Hsu (option 2) will have better overall sub performance, but I don't really have a feel for how much. One review of the 9060's said it doesn't go much below 30Hz...but then again it's not often they'd even need to.
Option 2: Hsu CCB-8's for fronts and center, plus Hsu ULS-15 MK2 sub. I've heard the Hsu sub before, and I know it's good. Haven't heard the CCB-8's, but the reviews are excellent.
At current prices, the Hsu setup will be $458 cheaper. With the Def Tech setup, I won't have to worry about an external sub in a relatively small room, where it may seem cluttered. But, when finally moving to Atmos, the Def Tech A90 is a seamless add-on, while I'll have to have add-ons from another company (Kef, etc.) sitting on top of the Hsu's, which may look funny. My gut feeling is the Hsu setup will sound better, particularly with the better sub...but how much better, and is it worth the aesthetic tradeoffs of an external sub and mis-matched Atmos add-ons?
Both of those speakers would do best in a large room to be honest.
In a small room I'd take a look at the BP9020s + a sub or the HSU HB1/HC1 combo.
You can get a very nice sealed sub for $500 and a sub that plays deeper than the 9060s' 32hz for $400.
I added the ULS15 at the very bottom so you can see how it compares to less expensive subs in terms of size and price.
PORTED SUBWOOFERS $600 AND BELOW, DELIVERED
NOTE:
*THE LARGER PORTED SUBS DELIVER AT LEAST 40% MORE SOUND PRESSURE LEVEL
THAN THE SAME BRAND'S SEALED VERSION WITH SAME SIZE WOOFER AND AMP
*IF LOOKING AT LARGER/MORE EXPENSIVE SUBWOOFERS ADD PSA TO THE LIST OF BRANDS
*IF YOU ARE NOT AN ACTION MOVIE FAN A SUBWOOFER WITH 22-30HZ EXTENSION WOULD BE FINE
*FOR MUSIC A 30HZ SUB IS A FINE CHOICE
*BEFORE BUYING MAKE A CARDBOARD CUTOUT OF THE SIZE OF THE SUB TO MAKE SURE IT IS NOT TOO LARGE FOR YOU
Specs are from the manufacturer unless noted otherwise.
Warranty
for AMP
1 year 150watts =24w7h12d= 25 lbs 8" [23hz] $250 EARTHQUAKE LOW PROFILE CP8 (Amazon price)
3 years 120watts =13w15h16d= 29 lbs 10" [29hz] $250 MARTIN LOGAN DYNAMO 500, limited time offer
2 years 350watts =15w16h17d= 40 lbs 10" [30hz] $399 RSL SPEEDWOOFER 10S, (extension from Sound & Vision review)
2 years 250watts =15w19h17d= 42 lbs 10" [25hz] $455 HSU VTF 1 MK3 (extension from Audioholics review)
5 years 300watts =15w19h20d= 46 lbs 10" [18hz] $499 SVS PB1000, (extension from Sound & Vision Review)
5 years 500watts =15w19h20d= 72 lbs 10" [20hz] $500 MONOPRICE MONOLITH THX 10"
3 years 300watts =16w22h21d= 69 lbs* 12" [19hz] $569 RHYTHMIK LV12F
2 years 350watts =15w21h22d= 62 lbs 12" [18hz] $607 HSU VTF2 MK5, (extension from Audioholics review)
* = shipping weight
SEALED SUBWOOFERS $650 AND BELOW, DELIVERED
3 years 300watts =12w13h13d= 27 lbs 10" [24hz] $399 MARTIN LOGAN DYNAMO 700W, limited time offer Amazon.
NOTE: WIRELESS TRANSMITTER INCLUDED
5 years 300watts =13w14h16d= 27 lbs 12" [23hz] $499 SVS SB1000, (extension from Sound & Vision)
5 years 500watts =13w16h17d= 50 lbs 10" [20hz] $500 MONOPRICE MONOLITH MTS10 THX
3 years 300watts =14w14h16d= 58 lbs* 12" [18hz] $539 RHYTHMIK L12
5 years 500watts =14w15h17d= 35 lbs 12" [19hz] $649 SVS SB2000 outlet, (extension from Sound & Vision)
* = shipping weight
2 years 600watts =18w18h18d= 65 lbs 12" [20hz] $857 HSU ULS15, (extension from Audioholics review)
