What sub to import to Japan?

[sleepyhead]

Hello all,

I'm quite a new member here and looking for advice and guidance on what subwoofer to get. Right now I have a Yamaha SW500 that I got secondhand as something temporary. It doesn't cut the mustard.

As the title suggests I live and work in Japan. I've had a look around the audio shops here and a lot of the big brand subwoofer names are well out of my price range . The ones that are in my range don't dig low enough.

I sent emails out to a few companies: RBH, Rhythmik, HSU, SVS and RSL. The biggest hurdle I have is shipping. Shipping almost doubled the cost of the woofer, plus I can't take advantage of any free trials offered.

My budget: approximately US$800 + shipping

My room: a livingroom, kitchen combined area (apartment) about (W)3.6m * (L)3m * (H)2.8m. It opens up into a corridor (via a door) and bedroom (via sliding partition doors)

My stuff: Onkyo SR343, Monitor Audio BX5 and centre.

Subwoofers under consideration: SVS PC-2000 (one of, but PayPal Japan is pain to work with and SVS only accepts PayPal); RSL Speed woofer 10s (two of).

Subwoofer companies out of the picture: RHB and HSU (shipping costs too high); Rhythmik (no response via email)

I think I covered all bases?

Any advice on my selection so far or possible alternatives would be great. Also, I can't audition them so any feedback on how the sound would be top notch. I've read plenty of reviews, but it'd be nice to hear from owners about the quirks, drawbacks or unexpected positives.

Thank you!

 

[roadwarrior]

Subwoofer companies out of the picture:Rhythmik (no response via email)

You got no response from Rythmik? Is that from their Asian distributor because I've always gotten quick responses to every email I've ever sent to Rythmik and that's a lot of them. Lol.

 

[sleepyhead]

You got no response from Rythmik? Is that from their Asian distributor because I've always gotten quick responses to every email I've ever sent to Rythmik and that's a lot of them. Lol.

I didn't know they had an Asian distributor. I emailed their main address on their site. Still doesn't explain their non-response.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Is DIY is an option?
http://alpine-usa.com/product/view/swr-1522d/
Alpine's SWR-1522D could be a foundation for a great sub (T/S are in manual)

 

[billy p]

http://www.powersoundaudio.com/pages/international-sales

Another option you omitted from your list...

 

[KEW]

Another thought:
You might also consider making a similar inquiry in the DIY section. It seems expensive to pay to ship a big heavy mdf box that you could easily have made locally.
Rythmik sells amp/driver kits separately you could use.
But with a little help from you to determine what components you can get in Japan, I bet the sub DIY guys can suggest a driver and provide plans for the box you can take to a local cabinet maker (for the purpose of cost, be sure to emphasize to cabinet maker that you don't need a nice finish).

 

[sleepyhead]

http://www.powersoundaudio.com/pages/international-sales

Another option you omitted from your list...

Thanks for the suggestion, but cheapest is $899. A little high on the price side.

Another thought:
You might also consider making a similar inquiry in the DIY section. It seems expensive to pay to ship a big heavy mdf box that you could easily have made locally.
Rythmik sells amp/driver kits separately you could use.
But with a little help from you to determine what components you can get in Japan, I bet the sub DIY guys can suggest a driver and provide plans for the box you can take to a local cabinet maker (for the purpose of cost, be sure to emphasize to cabinet maker that you don't need a nice finish).

That's a possibility. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll post in the DIY section too.

 

[billy p]

Thanks for the suggestion, but cheapest is $899. A little high on the price side.


That's a possibility. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll post in the DIY section too.

Thanks for the suggestion, but cheapest is $899. A little high on the price side.


That's a possibility. Thanks for the suggestion. I'll post in the DIY section too.

I think the sealed version is within your budget @ 799 US. Shipping from PSA via their nearest distributor might be less costly than the others in the long run...I would agreed with the others that DIY will be less costly and yield the best results given your budget.

 

[roadwarrior]

I didn't know they had an Asian distributor. I emailed their main address on their site. Still doesn't explain their non-response.

I never said I was trying to explain it. I'm trying to understand it and help. You want to write a great subwoofer manufacture off your list because of some perceived email slight that's up to you but I'm telling you something probably went wrong because either the owner himself answers or mostly his technical assistant Enrico answers every single time. That's all these guys live for down in their small facility in Austin , Texas so I'm just saying it's possible something went wrong. Not assigning blame just stating a very possible fact but that's your call as the consumer. Here's their overseas and Asian information below as well. The owner and designers brother runs his over seas plant in China. Good luck with whatever you finally get.



http://rythmikaudio.com/contact.html

 

[lovinthehd]

Judging a company by email is hard what with the quality of the filters out there....yours may have been sent to junk file....

I'd see what Rythmik could do but more would think you could do fine with diy. Maybe a dual Infinity 1260/1262 build, as that driver tends to be very cost effective as would be the amp to drive two of them....

 

[sleepyhead]

I never said I was trying to explain it. I'm trying to understand it and help. You want to write a great subwoofer manufacture off your list because of some perceived email slight that's up to you but I'm telling you something probably went wrong because either the owner himself answers or mostly his technical assistant Enrico answers every single time. That's all these guys live for down in their small facility in Austin , Texas so I'm just saying it's possible something went wrong. Not assigning blame just stating a very possible fact but that's your call as the consumer. Here's their overseas and Asian information below as well. The owner and designers brother runs his over seas plant in China. Good luck with whatever you finally get.



http://rythmikaudio.com/contact.html

Judging a company by email is hard what with the quality of the filters out there....yours may have been sent to junk file....

I'd see what Rythmik could do but more would think you could do fine with diy. Maybe a dual Infinity 1260/1262 build, as that driver tends to be very cost effective as would be the amp to drive two of them....

I sounded far too negative on that front, and it was just a culmination of events that lead to rythmik getting the brunt of my frustration. (If any of you decide to move to Japan, the banking / credit / debit system can be a real pain and full of dead ends or even unexpected charges.)

I'll try emailing again. I didn't notice the Asian contact there first time round as it's sandwiched between Australia and Australia!

If the cost of building is less than $1000 for 1 or 2 subwoofers, I'll try DIY.

Thanks for the advice and putting up with me.

 

[roadwarrior]

I sounded far too negative on that front, and it was just a culmination of events that lead to rythmik getting the brunt of my frustration. (If any of you decide to move to Japan, the banking / credit / debit system can be a real pain and full of dead ends or even unexpected charges.)

I'll try emailing again. I didn't notice the Asian contact there first time round as it's sandwiched between Australia and Australia!

If the cost of building is less than $1000 for 1 or 2 subwoofers, I'll try DIY.

Thanks for the advice and putting up with me.

Yeah, it's fine. No explanation necessary. I've heard how FUBAR it can be over there. I was hoping maybe you could get one of Rythmik's drivers and an amp and build your own box but either way it looks like DIY is going to be your best bet. However it goes I wish you the best.

Sent from my 710C using Tapatalk

 

[lovinthehd]

You might try finding "enricoclaudio" of Rythmik on avsforum.com, try this thread http://www.avsforum.com/forum/113-subwoofers-bass-transducers/1214550-official-rythmik-audio-subwoofer-thread-776.html

He's quite helpful....