[unsubbed]

Hi, I am trying to complete my home theater setup with one or two subwoofers and I am hoping to get some recommendations.


I have included a diagram of my room. There is a 3' high shelving unit, which used to be a wall dividing two rooms. The ceilings are 8' high.


My use case is maybe 1/3 each between music, tv/movies and gaming. I was hoping not to go much over 3k CAD (say 2-2.5k USD), but I would be open to spending more if there is a significant step up in performance. I had dual subs in mind but would consider a single, really good sub. I am located in Canada but shipping to the US border and picking up is an option.


My existing setup is a Marantz AV7702mkii preamp and 5x Adam active speakers (A7x LCR and A5x SR/SL).


I have some ideas in mind but I don't really have any experience with any high end subwoofers so I would appreciate some input.

Thanks!

 

[imureh]

Hi, I am trying to complete my home theater setup with one or two subwoofers and I am hoping to get some recommendations.


I have included a diagram of my room. There is a 3' high shelving unit, which used to be a wall dividing two rooms. The ceilings are 8' high.


My use case is maybe 1/3 each between music, tv/movies and gaming. I was hoping not to go much over 3k CAD (say 2-2.5k USD), but I would be open to spending more if there is a significant step up in performance. I had dual subs in mind but would consider a single, really good sub. I am located in Canada but shipping to the US border and picking up is an option.


My existing setup is a Marantz AV7702mkii preamp and 5x Adam active speakers (A7x LCR and A5x SR/SL).


I have some ideas in mind but I don't really have any experience with any high end subwoofers so I would appreciate some input.

Thanks!

Is the floor suspended or concrete? Also how loud do you listen? Do you like to have your chair shake on movies? Based on what you have mentioned I would recommend with a Rythmik FV15HP or FV18. Another option would be the JTR 118HT but with shipping will likely put you over $2k per sub. PSA V1510 and V1811 and SVS are also good options - PB4000 or 3000

 

[unsubbed]

Is the floor suspended or concrete? Also how loud do you listen? Do you like to have your chair shake on movies? Based on what you have mentioned I would recommend with a Rythmik FV15HP or FV18. Another option would be the JTR 118HT but with shipping will likely put you over $2k per sub. PSA V1510 and V1811 and SVS are also good options - PB4000 or 3000

Thanks for the feedback.



This room is on a main floor with a basement below it, so no concrete. As for volume, I listen at maybe -15 dB relative to reference if watching a movie. I'm not 100% sure of that as different sources seem to have different volume levels.



Are you suggesting duals for all of those options? I was thinking about dual Rhythmik FV15HP, PSA V1510 or HSU VTF-15H MK2, but I wasn't sure if two 15" subs would be overkill. SVS actually has a presence here in Canada, but the PB-4000 costs around twice as much as the HSU 15" ported subs, for example. The PB-3000 is a little more reasonable, but similarly priced to the Rhythmik FV15HP. Can a 13" SVS sub outperform a 15" Rhythmik/PSA/HSU sub, and can the 13.5" SVS significantly outperform them and be worth the price premium?

 

[bochoss]

Multiple subs will beat out a single sub for taming room modes and getting better seat-to-seat consistency.

Two 15" subs are not overkill in my opinion.

Subwoofers are not complicated. Don't pay a premium for the SVS ones.

 

[spyboy]

Duals are almost never overkill. SVS is not worth the premium price. For the price hard to beat the HSU VTF-15H MK2. For $70 you can increase the warranty on the VTF-15H MK2 to 5 years on the amp.

 

[imureh]

Thanks for the feedback.



This room is on a main floor with a basement below it, so no concrete. As for volume, I listen at maybe -15 dB relative to reference if watching a movie. I'm not 100% sure of that as different sources seem to have different volume levels.



Are you suggesting duals for all of those options? I was thinking about dual Rhythmik FV15HP, PSA V1510 or HSU VTF-15H MK2, but I wasn't sure if two 15" subs would be overkill. SVS actually has a presence here in Canada, but the PB-4000 costs around twice as much as the HSU 15" ported subs, for example. The PB-3000 is a little more reasonable, but similarly priced to the Rhythmik FV15HP. Can a 13" SVS sub outperform a 15" Rhythmik/PSA/HSU sub, and can the 13.5" SVS significantly outperform them and be worth the price premium?

Yes duals for sure. Given your listening habits my pick would be the fv15hp. The HSU is a good sub as well but the precise and low distortion bass of the rythmik is something you will enjoy particularly with music.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[jamiebosco]

I would start with a single of the best sub you can afford now - and then start saving and add another when funds allow, this WILL save you money in the long run....trust me.
If you can get a Rythmik FV15HP ,FV18 or JTR 118HT delivered within budget (and a second when possible) this should stave off upgraditis for quite a while

 

[macgallant]

I would start with a single of the best sub you can afford now - and then start saving and add another when funds allow, this WILL save you money in the long run....trust me.
If you can get a Rythmik FV15HP ,FV18 or JTR 118HT delivered within budget (and a second when possible) this should stave off upgraditis for quite a while

very wise worse!

 

[unsubbed]

I might need to use a higher crossover point, maybe 100 Hz or 120 Hz because my speakers roll off around there. Would that be a problem with the Rythmik 15HPs? The Data Bass frequency response plots seem to suggest that sub starts rolling off before 100 Hz, but maybe I'm not understanding the graphs correctly.

 

[ratbuddy]

I might need to use a higher crossover point, maybe 100 Hz or 120 Hz because my speakers roll off around there. Would that be a problem with the Rythmik 15HPs? The Data Bass frequency response plots seem to suggest that sub starts rolling off before 100 Hz, but maybe I'm not understanding the graphs correctly.

Notice the vertical increment on that graph is only 2.5 dB, that response isn't bad, it's not a very steep rolloff you're seeing.

 

[jamiebosco]

I might need to use a higher crossover point, maybe 100 Hz or 120 Hz because my speakers roll off around there. Would that be a problem with the Rythmik 15HPs? The Data Bass frequency response plots seem to suggest that sub starts rolling off before 100 Hz, but maybe I'm not understanding the graphs correctly.

That test may have been done using the Line In instead of LFE input, using the LFE input extends the FR out to around 200Hz

 

[indebtbassfreak]

I might need to use a higher crossover point, maybe 100 Hz or 120 Hz because my speakers roll off around there. Would that be a problem with the Rythmik 15HPs? The Data Bass frequency response plots seem to suggest that sub starts rolling off before 100 Hz, but maybe I'm not understanding the graphs correctly.

I'm not sure how data-bass had the sub set up but it should play well above 100Hz. My concern with you crossing over mains at or around 120Hz is you may introduce sub localisation such as mens dialog in the lower register which can be mitigated having subs by the front sound stage.

 

[darthray]

I would start with a single of the best sub you can afford now - and then start saving and add another when funds allow, this WILL save you money in the long run....trust me.
If you can get a Rythmik FV15HP ,FV18 or JTR 118HT delivered within budget (and a second when possible) this should stave off upgraditis for quite a while

+1
I just check the price of the FV15, buying two of them would be $2798 US. Around $3700 CDN + shipping.
This would put the OP @unsubbed way over budget.

That said, if only buying one for now and save for another down the road.
He could get the FV18, due to large area he got. That should put him around is max budget with shipping included.
And if the OP live near the US border, Rythmik will ship the sub in the closest UPS location, within the US at no charge.


Darth

 

[bear123]

The FV15HP's are really good subs, but I wouldn't blow your budget out of the water for them. Before I did that, I'd go with a single Cap 118HT or a single FV18 and add another later if you ever want/need to.

The other option would be a pair of subs closer to budget such as the aforementioned Hsu VTF15.2 or PSA V1510. Performance will be very similar between the three(Hsu, PSA, Rythmik). Personally, I'd get quotes on a pair of the Hsu and PSA, a single FV18, and a single Cap 118HT. Go from there.

 

[Billy p]

From my experiences...PSA & Ryhmik would offer you the best shipping rates in Canada....Hsu...for some reason tend to be more expensive.

If you're willing to ship to a US Post office box and pick up, you could look into JTR or perhaps DSS audio, it could save some $$. As advised earlier go with the single biggest sub you can afford...judging by the numbers... you seem to have a decent budget...to make that happen.

Personally...I'm 2hrs away from border, not so practical imo....in terms of time, fuel consumption (SUV) and general pita boarder crossing delays, making for a long drawn out day.
I've inquired with some of the aforementioned mfgs and decided to go with home grown Funk Audio.

Good luck in whichever direction you go.😊

 

[unsubbed]

Some of the recommendations are getting beyond my stated budget, but it's not really a hard limit. I can get dual HSU VTF-3 MK5s shipped to my door for ~3k CAD, and if I were to drive to the US and get dual HSU VTF-15Hs I think it would be a little over 3k CAD, so 3k seemed like a good starting point for discussion. I'd consider spending closer to 4k there's a significant step up in quality. I feel like much more than that and I'm going to hit diminishing returns and the fact that at some point I'm better off putting money towards room treatments instead.



I'm going to reach out to Rythmik, PSA and JTR for prices and options for shipping to Canada or picking up near the border. Thanks to everyone who's chimed in so far - I wasn't sure if a thread by a new user would get much traction but this has been very helpful.

 

[unsubbed]

I'm not sure how data-bass had the sub set up but it should play well above 100Hz. My concern with you crossing over mains at or around 120Hz is you may introduce sub localisation such as mens dialog in the lower register which can be mitigated having subs by the front sound stage.

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that. After reviewing some frequency response graphs for my speakers I think I could do an 80 or maybe 70 Hz crossover instead.

 

[toddct]

I've inquired with some of the aforementioned mfgs and decided to go with home grown Funk Audio.

@unsubbed, you may want to give serious consideration to your fellow countryman Billy p and give Funk a call. I don't know if he would have something within your budget. Maybe. But, I have read a couple of posts on here about people who thought he would be out of budget but called anyway............and they were not disappointed. As a matter of fact, they were elated when they got their Funk subs. Definitely worth a call.

One other sub that hasn't been mentioned is the Monolith 15.

That being said, all of the other suggestions are top notch. I do love me some JTR and Rythmik.

Todd

 

[indebtbassfreak]

Interesting, I hadn't thought of that. After reviewing some frequency response graphs for my speakers I think I could do an 80 or maybe 70 Hz crossover instead.

They "claim" frequency down to 42Hz so i cant see any issues trying 80Hz to start. Depending on sub placement within your room you may very well be able to bump it up to 90Hz/100Hz and see what you think. Best to experiment and let your ears and measurements get you the desired set up.

 

[indebtbassfreak]

@unsubbed, you may want to give serious consideration to your fellow countryman Billy p and give Funk a call. I don't know if he would have something within your budget. Maybe. But, I have read a couple of posts on here about people who thought he would be out of budget but called anyway............and they were happily surprised and not disappointed. As a matter of fact, they were elated when they got their Funk subs. Definitely worth a call.

One other sub that hasn't been mentioned is the Monolith 15.

That being said, all of the other suggestions are top notch. I do love me some JTR and Rythmik.

Todd

+1^

A fellow member who lives about an hour away from me got a ported 18" 1000watt (Funk 18.1) Funk sub within your max budget, so as toddct mentioned cant hurt to call. www.funk.ca