Monolith 10 vs RSL Speedwoofer 10 vs SVS PB-1000

bsas

bsas

Audioholic Intern
Hi all, I think my max budget for a subwoofer upgrade is about $1000.
My current sub setup is 2x Pioneer SW-8MKS. After a lot of research and tests in my room I know that I need at least 2x subs to fill the dips in the room acoustics. So, I need the best sub for max $500 since I am buying 2x (I don't want to get 1x big sub, I prefer 2x matching ones).

So, I am in doubt between those three subs that have amazing reviews:
- Monoprice Monolith 10
- RSL Speedwoofer 10
- SVS PB-1000

As you can see I am inclined to get ported since I am 90% or more movies over music in my setup and I want deeper subs for movies special effects.
I am also quite inclined on the SVS mainly because of the warranties and other benefits like that, but I am willing to change my mind in case of obvious benefits on the other models.

Any suggestions? Any comparison between those three?

Thanks!
 
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ryanosaur

ryanosaur

Audioholic Overlord
What size is your room: LxWxH? Open to other areas, or closed off? If open to other areas, what is the total approximate room volume?
 
bsas

bsas

Audioholic Intern
What size is your room: LxWxH? Open to other areas, or closed off? If open to other areas, what is the total approximate room volume?
Hi ryonasaur,

So, my room is very weird (nothing I can do about it). It is a large loft area on the second floor, so, it doesn't have a wall on the left side and that opens to a smaller loft/window/corridor area and also to that corridor goes to the rooms and a stair. Also, it is a cathedral dry wall ceiling.

If I ignore the corridor and the walking area for the other small loft, it is about 18ft deep to 16ft wide. The ceiling goes up to 8ft straight then it has the cathedral slope that goes about 2f more. So, it is like an 10ft tall ceiling on the middle and 8ft tall ceiling on the sides.

Therefore, to be honest, is very hard to calculate room volume and I have no idea where to even start :(...
 
bsas

bsas

Audioholic Intern
At that price, I'd get two of these.
Hi NINaudio,

Thanks for the recommendation, but, those are a little more since they are naturally a little more expensive and they don't offer free shipping. Also, they are far bigger then my room can take, I think :(
Thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
Hi NINaudio,

Thanks for the recommendation, but, those are a little more since they are naturally a little more expensive and they don't offer free shipping. Also, they are far bigger then my room can take, I think :(
Thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
You mean you just need small sub boxes? What are your dimension limits?
 
X

XTex

Audioholic Intern
Hi NINaudio,

Thanks for the recommendation, but, those are a little more since they are naturally a little more expensive and they don't offer free shipping. Also, they are far bigger then my room can take, I think :(
Thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
The subwoofer 'sees' the entire space, and your main room without the walkway and smaller loft is already approaching 3000 cu ft. You are going to want larger subs if you're looking to pressurize the whole space.

Also, understand that you're paying for shipping with brands like SVS even if it's not a discrete charge. Shipping both ways is baked into the price whether you use it or not. That said, if you do want to go with SVS grab 2 PB12-NSDs for $500 each from an authorized dealer on Amazon. Basically PB-2000 performance at PB-1000 cost.
 
NINaudio

NINaudio

Audioholic Samurai
Hi NINaudio,

Thanks for the recommendation, but, those are a little more since they are naturally a little more expensive and they don't offer free shipping. Also, they are far bigger then my room can take, I think :(
Thanks for the suggestion anyway :D
Bigger than your room can take how? You want a smaller size subwoofer?
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
The subwoofer 'sees' the entire space, and your main room without the walkway and smaller loft is already approaching 3000 cu ft. You are going to want larger subs if you're looking to pressurize the whole space.

Also, understand that you're paying for shipping with brands like SVS even if it's not a discrete charge. Shipping both ways is baked into the price whether you use it or not. That said, if you do want to go with SVS grab 2 PB12-NSDs for $500 each from an authorized dealer on Amazon. Basically PB-2000 performance at PB-1000 cost.
The PB-2000s have a significant performance increase over the PB12-NSDs, something like a 3dB difference above 30 Hz. As for pressurizing the whole space, that might not be necessary if the listener is close in proximity to the sub. You can experience much of the impact of a subwoofer just by being close to it.
 
bsas

bsas

Audioholic Intern
"Emergency call"! :D
Are those any good? Because for $250 for now sounds like a steal if they are any good:

ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3010 10" 400W Subwoofer
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
"Emergency call"! :D
Are those any good? Because for $250 for now sounds like a steal if they are any good:

ELAC Debut 2.0 SUB3010 10" 400W Subwoofer
Well, they're better priced at $250 than their list of $580....
 
lovinthehd

lovinthehd

Audioholic Jedi
So, this means they are definitely not on par with the other $500ish subs on my list?
Thanks! :D
No, not same league IMO. Probably a decent sub, but not one I'd ever consider (like most speaker company subs, hard to beat the specialists IMO). Personally I diy these days anyways.
 
William Lemmerhirt

William Lemmerhirt

Audioholic Overlord
Plus the elacs are only controllable via app. Deal breaker for me.
 
bsas

bsas

Audioholic Intern
OK, so, my question still. Which one of those are better and why? I actually ordered the SVS to test it and I am loving it, but they are still under the return period, so, if there is a good reason to I can still return it and get something else:

- Monoprice Monolith 10
- RSL Speedwoofer 10
- SVS PB-1000
- HSU VTF-2 MK5

Thanks!
 
Pogre

Pogre

Audioholic Slumlord
OK, so, my question still. Which one of those are better and why? I actually ordered the SVS to test it and I am loving it, but they are still under the return period, so, if there is a good reason to I can still return it and get something else:

- Monoprice Monolith 10
- RSL Speedwoofer 10
- SVS PB-1000
- HSU VTF-2 MK5

Thanks!
Well first I think you did alright ordering from SVS for a trial with the risk free aspect. Did you get 2 of them?

I'm not sure about Hsu, but RSL might offer a trial run also. If so get them ordered asap and you can do some listening tests between the 2. My heart says go with SVS but on paper the Speedwoofer might outperform it.

*Edit: If you have the Hsu under consideration as well I think you're still going to get more bang for your buck with them, even paying shipping. You get a lot of sub for the money.
 
S

snakeeyes

Audioholic Ninja
The 12in ported HSU VTF2 mk5 has a lot more output than the 10in subs you listed.
 
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