Which Subwoofer better

[Worth]

I have an opportunity to purchase either the Velodyne Optimum 10 or Klipsch R-115SW. Which is better for my 24x17 living room -9 ft ceiling. Obviously, Velodyne is 10 inch driver but has room correction dsp’s and 1200 watt amp. Klipsch bigger driver, 15 inch, 400 watt/800 watt peak, no room correction dsp’s. Each run the same price, around $350 used. Use for musing and home theater. Thanks for you time and opinion.

 

[afford-hifi]

If it were me personally choosing between only those two options I would choose the Velodyne over the Klipsch. I have yet to hear a Klipsch subwoofer that I am actually impressed with. When I was first getting into this hobby I went with Klipsch subwoofers and I quikly realized they were the weak link in my system as far as depth and sound quality. I then opted for DIY which I loved my Ultimax for years until I recently purchased a Monolith 15 and I couldnt be happier.

On that note, if you arent completely locked in on those two subwoofers you may want to also look for used Monolith, SVS, or HSU subwoofers as well.

Good luck!

James

 

[lovinthehd]

A ported 15" vs a sealed 10" in that size room I'd lean towards a larger ported sub rather than a smaller sealed sub (or at least two of the smaller sealed subs).

This is one of the few Klipsch subs it seems worth having by most accounts. Got a decent review/measurement from Brent Butterworth.

Velodyne has a good rep for some of their subs, but has largely abandoned progress in audio (for more lucrative fields) some time ago now and when I looked recently had no support for stuff at all at the moment as they've just changed ownership hands, and I suspect that won't change the support for older gear (probably more important for their servo subs, this doesn't appear to be one).

I wouldn't put too much into comparing wattage ratings, without the sensitivity/impedance/eq details doesn't mean a lot....

Do you need the sub to have dsp? What will you use it with in the way of avr/pre-pro?

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Well imo there are much better options than either of those. But given your room size, I would choose the Klipsch. It’s actually the ONLY Klipsch sub that I’d consider, but it’s not very high on my list, and the little 10” velo won’t stand a chance in that size room. Don’t worry about wattage, as that doesn’t tell much of the story.
Actually if I was limited to 350 bucks I’d buy a pair of Dayton sub1200 at 150ea. Unfortunately they’re out of stock for awhile. FWIW the sub1500 is only 200 bucks but also out of stock so...
I agree with James about monolith, SVS Rythmik etc. but if your locked into 350 dollars, the secondary market will likely be best, and possibly DIY.

 

[Worth]

James,

Thank you for your response and time. I have had neither Klipsch or Velodyne and from what I read both of these have their upsides and downsides. That being said, keep toying with the idea of DIY Ultimax. Glad you mentioned that. Have seen the Monolith's and seem great for the price but a little out of my budget at the time.

Bryant

 

[Worth]

A ported 15" vs a sealed 10" in that size room I'd lean towards a larger ported sub rather than a smaller sealed sub (or at least two of the smaller sealed subs).

This is one of the few Klipsch subs it seems worth having by most accounts. Got a decent review/measurement from Brent Butterworth.

Velodyne has a good rep for some of their subs, but has largely abandoned progress in audio (for more lucrative fields) some time ago now and when I looked recently had no support for stuff at all at the moment as they've just changed ownership hands, and I suspect that won't change the support for older gear (probably more important for their servo subs, this doesn't appear to be one).

I wouldn't put too much into comparing wattage ratings, without the sensitivity/impedance/eq details doesn't mean a lot....

Do you need the sub to have dsp? What will you use it with in the way of avr/pre-pro?

Lovinthehd,

Thanks for the valuable input. I was thinking the same thing about the 15 being more important for my size room. I just thought dsp might be good since my room has a funky configuration. Hard to argue with a 15 though. My avr currently is the Denon 6200. Front speakers are the EV Interface D or Klipsch KLF-30's, both very efficient. Both sit up front and switch back and forth. Not sure the Klipsch sub would match up well with KLF's more so than other subs

I will check out Brent Butterworth's measurement.

 

[Worth]

Well imo there are much better options than either of those. But given your room size, I would choose the Klipsch. It’s actually the ONLY Klipsch sub that I’d consider, but it’s not very high on my list, and the little 10” velo won’t stand a chance in that size room. Don’t worry about wattage, as that doesn’t tell much of the story.
Actually if I was limited to 350 bucks I’d buy a pair of Dayton sub1200 at 150ea. Unfortunately they’re out of stock for awhile. FWIW the sub1500 is only 200 bucks but also out of stock so...
I agree with James about monolith, SVS Rythmik etc. but if your locked into 350 dollars, the secondary market will likely be best, and possibly DIY.

William,

Thanks for the Dayton 1200 suggestion. Have look at Parts Express and different DIY sub projects using the Ultimax gear but never looked at the 1200's. Wow! Great reviews and price. 2 of these could do some damage and probably better than the one Klipsch 15. Will do some reevaluation.

 

[lovinthehd]

Lovinthehd,

Thanks for the valuable input. I was thinking the same thing about the 15 being more important for my size room. I just thought dsp might be good since my room has a funky configuration. Hard to argue with a 15 though. My avr currently is the Denon 6200. Front speakers are the EV Interface D or Klipsch KLF-30's, both very efficient. Both sit up front and switch back and forth. Not sure the Klipsch sub would match up well with KLF's more so than other subs

I will check out Brent Butterworth's measurement.

A sub doesn't particularly care what speaker you use, more about your integration and your Denon's Audyssey should do as well as the onboard dsp in the Velodyne if not better.

 

[killbill13]

Rogersound Labs

RSL Speakers - A division of Rogersound Labs - is a factory direct loudspeaker manufacturer, since 1970, based in Los Angeles, California. Family owned and operated.

rslspeakers.com

they have sales.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

William,

Thanks for the Dayton 1200 suggestion. Have look at Parts Express and different DIY sub projects using the Ultimax gear but never looked at the 1200's. Wow! Great reviews and price. 2 of these could do some damage and probably better than the one Klipsch 15. Will do some reevaluation.

No problem. IMO they’re probably the best bang for buck out there. My normal recommendation is to buy the single biggest baddest sub you can afford, and immediately start saving for the second one. In these strange times I’m reminded even more about budget constraints, and I feel the Daytons will give an overall better experience. The big Klipsch should be able to dig a little bit deeper, but my gut tells me from what you’ve said, and my own experience to go with the 1200’s.(not sure when they’ll be back in stock) But also keep in mind, that in the future you will likely outgrow them as is fairly common.
That will also give you time to experiment, and learn about your system and room’s acoustics.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

Rogersound Labs

RSL Speakers - A division of Rogersound Labs - is a factory direct loudspeaker manufacturer, since 1970, based in Los Angeles, California. Family owned and operated.

rslspeakers.com

they have sales.

Great company. Great people.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Velodyne definitely has the better brand reputation for subs. Probably better quality build. I have four Velodyne 12” Carbon Fiber Subs.

But as everyone says, there is no replacement for displacement.

Bigger subs will give you more output, especially for your very nice size living room.

 

[Danzilla31]

Great company. Great people.

They are but didn't they have to close down due to the issues we are having on a global scale? Broke my heart when I heard I love those guys

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

They are but didn't they have to close down due to the issues we are having on a global scale? Broke my heart when I heard I love those guys

Hi Dan!!!
Yes they did. I got an email, and found out when I visited their site. It is said, but I think it’s what needs to be done.

 

[lovinthehd]

They are but didn't they have to close down due to the issues we are having on a global scale? Broke my heart when I heard I love those guys

From their site:

Dear RSL customers,


Due to COVID-19, the state of California has required that we temporarily close our operation. First off, we’d like to thank our customers and friends for all the good wishes and support. As of 03/19/20, we are not able to fill or ship new orders. We understand the desire for home theater equipment, especially now that we’re staying home. However, safety is paramount. We hope you all stay safe. Those of you with COVID-19, we wish you a speedy recovery.


RSL Speakers will reopen again as soon as conditions improve and we are permitted to. All trial period deadlines will be extended to account for this period of time. If you need to request a return, please submit the request via email. We will address these requests as soon as we reopen.


Thank you for visiting our website. We’re sorry we cannot provide our speakers for you at this time. Please continue to check in here for updates.

 

[Kingnoob]

If it were me personally choosing between only those two options I would choose the Velodyne over the Klipsch. I have yet to hear a Klipsch subwoofer that I am actually impressed with. When I was first getting into this hobby I went with Klipsch subwoofers and I quikly realized they were the weak link in my system as far as depth and sound quality. I then opted for DIY which I loved my Ultimax for years until I recently purchased a Monolith 15 and I couldnt be happier.

On that note, if you arent completely locked in on those two subwoofers you may want to also look for used Monolith, SVS, or HSU subwoofers as well.

Good luck!

James

+1 unless op enjoys port noise ....
That klipsch is much more powerful then the velodyne but sound quality might be ... up in the air you would have to hear them .

Yeah the promedia sub was hurting my uncle are the port noise .. is so annoying but for a pc sub that is built like a tank wish I could use it for a shelf system ....


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk