I just recently bought some KEF iQ-series speakers (half of which have yet to arrive) and I need to get a subwoofer as well. I want something that can ship immediately, and I'd like to keep the cost at no more than $650 delivered. Right now, on the top of my list are the SVS PB12-NSD, PC12-NSD, and the PSB Subseries 6i. I'd like to hear opinions as to these three, as well as any other options in that price range (which can ship immediately!). Others I've considered, (but aren't really in the running for reasons given below) are:
- Energy s12.3 / Mirage s12 (hard to find online from reputable dealers in this price range)
- Epik Valor (not available to ship and situation unlikely to change for the next month)
- AV123 MFW-15 (thought I could get in on the recent B-Stock deal, but that fell through, and I need black, plus the QC issues concern me)
- eD (I believe that these are all made-to-order, so I'm assuming that I'll have to wait longer than I want to)
I left out Hsu's subs, but am open to them if you think something they offer in this price range is the best option.
I'd also be interested to hear any opinions regarding the pros/cons (if any) of down-firing (SVS PC12-NSD) vs front-firing (SVS PB12-NSD and PSB Subseries 6i).
FWIW, I don't really care about aesthetics if there's a significant performance advantage, but if not, an aesthetic advantage is always nice. My room is a 23'6" x 15' loft, with open walls on a couple of sides, somewhat high ceilings (10' at the highest point, but sloped downward on one side), and a hardwood floor which is the ceiling of my kitchen area below (no sound insulation between - this is a post and beam house). I do plan to add wall-to-wall carpeting with a foam pad at some point soon (I mention this particularly if there's an advantage/disadvantage with the front-firing vs down-firing subwoofers in my situation).
EDIT: Oh, probably a really important thing to mention: this setup is for 100% movie-watching, so low-freq is worth a bit more to me than musicality, but I do like tight, clean bass.
Thanks,
Scott
- Energy s12.3 / Mirage s12 (hard to find online from reputable dealers in this price range)
- Epik Valor (not available to ship and situation unlikely to change for the next month)
- AV123 MFW-15 (thought I could get in on the recent B-Stock deal, but that fell through, and I need black, plus the QC issues concern me)
- eD (I believe that these are all made-to-order, so I'm assuming that I'll have to wait longer than I want to)
I left out Hsu's subs, but am open to them if you think something they offer in this price range is the best option.
I'd also be interested to hear any opinions regarding the pros/cons (if any) of down-firing (SVS PC12-NSD) vs front-firing (SVS PB12-NSD and PSB Subseries 6i).
FWIW, I don't really care about aesthetics if there's a significant performance advantage, but if not, an aesthetic advantage is always nice. My room is a 23'6" x 15' loft, with open walls on a couple of sides, somewhat high ceilings (10' at the highest point, but sloped downward on one side), and a hardwood floor which is the ceiling of my kitchen area below (no sound insulation between - this is a post and beam house). I do plan to add wall-to-wall carpeting with a foam pad at some point soon (I mention this particularly if there's an advantage/disadvantage with the front-firing vs down-firing subwoofers in my situation).
EDIT: Oh, probably a really important thing to mention: this setup is for 100% movie-watching, so low-freq is worth a bit more to me than musicality, but I do like tight, clean bass.
Thanks,
Scott