Help with Subwoofer Choices...newb

Hi,

I just picked up a set of Athena Point 5 speakers for my home theater (thanks to everyone for recommending them). I really like the sound of them for the price, but they do need to be paired with a good sub.

I am unsure the best way to pair a sub with such small speakers. I will be upgrading front speakers in a few years (bookshelves to start, towers way down the road after TV) and am willing to spend a little more on the sub so I won't feel the need to upgrade it soon (one less thing).

I am wondering what the best way to match up a sub with your system. For example, the point 5's only reach 70 Hz (according to specs), so should a smaller (8") sub be used to help with mid frequency, or would a decent 10" be sufficient? Should an overlap in frequency response be considered?

Any recommended subs would be appreciated, or just some good starting points & tips for a good match.

Thanks again for everyones help..... this site really rocks!!!

Whats the Size of your room? Whats your Budget?

Any size woofer can go up to 70Hz, In fact, any sub can go to 80Hz, as the frequency's stay non directional up to 80.

I would get a bigger sub, because you can't have overkill with subs. Plus, If you change to a bigger room later on, and you buy an 8inch, your screwd.

SheepStar

kellyk75 said:

Hi,

I just picked up a set of Athena Point 5 speakers for my home theater (thanks to everyone for recommending them). I really like the sound of them for the price, but they do need to be paired with a good sub.

I am unsure the best way to pair a sub with such small speakers. I will be upgrading front speakers in a few years (bookshelves to start, towers way down the road after TV) and am willing to spend a little more on the sub so I won't feel the need to upgrade it soon (one less thing).

I am wondering what the best way to match up a sub with your system. For example, the point 5's only reach 70 Hz (according to specs), so should a smaller (8") sub be used to help with mid frequency, or would a decent 10" be sufficient? Should an overlap in frequency response be considered?

Any recommended subs would be appreciated, or just some good starting points & tips for a good match.

Thanks again for everyones help..... this site really rocks!!!

Click to expand...

I have the JBL Studio L series 8400.This is a step up from their entry level line (Northridge). This sub packs a powerful punch.Comes in black and beautiful cherry.


General
Amplifier Power (RMS) 600 Watts
Peak Dynamic Power 1200 Watts
The Peak Dynamic Power is measured by recording the highest peak-to-center voltage produced by the power amplifier with its limiters disabled, across the output of a resistive load equal to minimum impedance of the transducer, using a 50Hz sine wave burst, 3 cycles on, 17 cycles off.
Frequency Response (–3dB) 22Hz – Low-pass crossover frequency
Low-Pass Crossover Frequencies 50Hz – 150Hz, continuously adjustable; 150Hz when using speaker-level connection
Low-Frequency Transducer 12" (300mm) PolyPlas™ cone with rubber surround and cast-aluminum chassis; HeatScape™ motor structure; Symmetrical Field Geometry™ (SFG™); oversized fiberglass voice coil; magnetic shorting ring
Baffle Low diffraction, IsoPower™
Enclosure Design Sealed

My budget is up to $600 CAN or $450 US depending on the quality of the sub. I am willing to go higher if the sub deserves it.

The room will be 12'x26' but the seating will be in 12'x12'. I already think that 8" is out of the question. Problem is I live in Canada and buying online means higher shipping & duty..... comes to big $$. Not much of a savings when on sale. The brands I have seen around town are B&W, Valodyne, JBL, Infinity, HSU, Wharfdale, maybe PSB, Energy. I would have to search further for others. Anybody have experiences with the Athena subs?

kellyk75 said:

My budget is up to $600 CAN or $450 US depending on the quality of the sub. I am willing to go higher if the sub deserves it.

The room will be 12'x26' but the seating will be in 12'x12'. I already think that 8" is out of the question. Problem is I live in Canada and buying online means higher shipping & duty..... comes to big $$. Not much of a savings when on sale. The brands I have seen around town are B&W, Valodyne, JBL, Infinity, HSU, Wharfdale, maybe PSB, Energy. I would have to search further for others. Anybody have experiences with the Athena subs?

Click to expand...

for $450 the first choice that pops in my head is the SVS PB10-ISD you'll find many rave about this subwoofer & @ this pricerange, you'd be hard-pressed to find anything better for the money

Agreed, the PB10 is pretty much flat, to 100Hz, and plays easily down to 20. It is a great deal for the money, and you will never have to upgrade. later on down the road you can just get another PB10 and that should be fine for about any system.

I'll agree with the SVS recommendation but there is one huge problem here in Canada. You'll pay BIG for shipping and taxes to get it up here. You can get a quote from them and see for yourself. If you can get a HSU, go for it.

farscaper said:

I'll agree with the SVS recommendation but there is one huge problem here in Canada. You'll pay BIG for shipping and taxes to get it up here. You can get a quote from them and see for yourself. If you can get a HSU, go for it.

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Exactly. Duty will be killer as well. The shipping is only $68 US, but the duty will be even worse.

Which of the HSU's is a better choice? The STF-2 or the VTF-2. Does the variable tuning really make a difference?

The dealer that sells them recommends the Wharfdale over the HSU for quality of sound. He claims the HSU is a bit too boomy (the VTF-2).

kellyk75 said:

Exactly.
The dealer that sells them recommends the Wharfdale over the HSU for quality of sound. He claims the HSU is a bit too boomy (the VTF-2).

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That's because the dealer doesn't sell HSU! The comparable Wharfdale specs aren't up to SVS/HSU standards. I highly recommend the VTF-2 for your purposes...especially because you won't have the duty issue.

Happy sub hunting.

rjbudz said:

That's because the dealer doesn't sell HSU! The comparable Wharfdale specs aren't up to SVS/HSU standards. I highly recommend the VTF-2 for your purposes...especially because you won't have the duty issue.

Happy sub hunting.

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He sells both but it probably comes down to personal preference.

Anyone have any opinions about the HSU STF vs. the VTF? Is it worth the extra money to go with the VTF?

Dealer recommendation

kellyk75 said:

He sells both but it probably comes down to personal preference.

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Or profit margin.

jcPanny said:

Or profit margin.

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Good point, but the Warfdale is $500 vs the HSU for $725.

I think I am sold on either the SVS PB10-ISD or the HSU VTF-2. How close are they to frequency response, spl, & sound quality?

I ask because I can get the HSU for $100 more (without bargaining) than having the SVS shipped (with duty & taxes & everything). I noticed that the SVS is 3yr warantee and the HSU is 7 yr. With the warantee & the local shop, I am leaning twards the HSU for simplicity but not ruling out the SVS based on reviews.

A PB-10 will run you upwards of 700 dollars in CAD once all said and done. If I were you I would get an Hsu STF-3 and ask for a port plug. Insert it and the sub is tuned to 18Hz.

A PB-10 will beat an VTF-2. Its tuned to 20Hz and dips into the teens with in-room gain.

I say get the STF-3, you wil be happy with your purchase.

SheepStar

Yes, I agree with exactly what sheep said. I can't believe the price for the PB10 up there! That is crazy!

MacManNM said:

Yes, I agree with exactly what sheep said. I can't believe the price for the PB10 up there! That is crazy!

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Yes, it sucks, long, and hard.

SheepStar

hey sheep, how much is the PC Ultra there?

mike c said:

hey sheep, how much is the PC Ultra there?

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To much to figure out. The PB-10 nearly doubles in price. I don't know what the ultra will end being, but its not little.

SheepStar

i see. thanks

Without tax but everything included (duty, fed-ex brokerage fee's, etc) the HSU is exactly $100 more @ $725. I could probably talk him down a bit. $625 for the SVS + GST (7%).

I don't listen to a lot of music and as long as the SVS is not musically sloppy, I may go for it. I have read reviews that the HSU is a bit strained when it hits 25 Hz, but being my first HT subwoofer, I am not sure how often 25Hz comes up.

Is the lack of an adjustable crossover a hinderance on the SVS or is the one in the receiver decent enough?

Your going to use the LFE output so the receiver will take care of everything. The SVS does go low, and there is a ton of stuff below 25 in todays movies. The only thing that would push me away from it is the cost, but I do believe it is superior to the HSU in the same price range. If it were for mostly music I would go with the HSU.