Prepurchase advice?

[stalag2005]

I do own another subwoofer that I use for my computer. It is a Pinnacle 100. This speaker is balanced with a pair of Martin Logan LX-16 speakers. Coupled with those I have heard things in the audio stream when I play audio off my computer that a set of standard computer speakers just cannot replicate. For what it is this is a good system that works for me. My Paradigm DSP 3100 that I have owned is on another system with much better speakers in my living room. Unfortunately it has failed after 10 years of use.

Pinnacle as a company is no longer in business, and as such I cannot go back and order what I have already heard and experienced. Since the Paradigm DSP 3100 has failed I need a replacement that fills the gap opened by lack of a subwoofer. When it worked the Paradigm DSP 3100 was far superior to the Pinnacle but was placed in a far more demanding application for entertainment of guests that I do not do when working on my computer.

This is an example of what I want to see. Personal experience and what you have used and why. Why won't you go back to a particular brand/model of subwoofer? This is helpful for me. Just giving me a brand without discussion of what you have actually used/heard leaves me with no context. I have not yet (maybe a good thing) developed telepathy. So please tell me what your experiences are with the product you have/recommend.

Maybe I needed to be more explicit. I have autism and have trouble since I can get overwhelmed with massive choice, and marketing in my experience is deceptive. Very often though we go with what we know and have experienced. I want to hear about others direct experiences. If you have experienced and seen different companies products, why do you prefer that product? For example the Pinnacle works for me in it's application. If I got much better bookshelf speakers I might also upgrade my Pinnacle. But I don't want to trash speakers that already work for me.

I went to a dealer local to me that demonstrated the following speaker lines, Paradigm, JBL, and Revel. In hearing these speakers and discussion of price, I settled on within my actual budget the Paradigm Premier 800F for my fronts to upgrade my stereo and the Paradigm Prestige 45C as a center to upgrade my center speaker. These speakers I heard for myself, and although there were better that Genesis Audio had, this is what worked for me to accommodate the size and placement of the speakers. The subwoofer was unplanned but I do not have room for a massively huge speaker, but also want a subwoofer free of distortion and that pairs well with the speakers chosen that will work with the upgraded speakers and the Paradigm Mini Monitor and ADP-190's that I already own and due to size constraints do not have the means to place larger. All of the speakers including the subwoofer need to connect to my current Yamaha RX-V663 receiver.

I am not afraid to mix and match, but in a way I have already had good experience with Paradigm for to me really good audio in that price level I can afford. Direct experience means much to me. I do not know what you all have tried in the past, and what has worked for you. Please elaborate on that. Criticizing without context is difficult for me to understand.

 

[mazersteven]

Do you own SVS subwoofers? What model? Have you owned others? What have you found in how it balances with other speakers? Do you use the subwoofer in a surround sound application or is it stereo + woofer? How many years have you owned the speaker? Have you heard others? How did it compare to what you have owned?

My SVS subs. They are discontinued PB12 Plus/2

I've also had another single 12' SVS. 3 total.

I've had upclose and personal experience with HSU subs too along with Paradigm, Polk, Klipsch, B&W, Definitive Technology, and Monitor Audio.

Home Theater or Music you need a Sub that can handle whatever's thrown at it with Tight, Clean low end.

I've been a member here since 2005 since you've asked.

 

[Tachead7075]

I have dual X12's and am very happy with them so far.

I think it needs to be pointed out that the PB-2000 or 2000 Pro is a better comparison to the X12 then the 3000. The X12 is sub $1000US(less with discounts) and uses a 12" driver with similar power to the 2000 Pro.

I considered dual PB-2000 Pro's instead of the X12's but, chose them as they were cheaper and I heard from 2 different people that they found the X12 sounded better overall. I also have a full Paradigm set and like the matching ART surrounds and their factory is in the same province as me should I have any issues.

 

[Tachead7075]

Compared to the DSP-3100 pound for pound it's like Mike Tyson vs. You. Kicks its Ass. The Defiance is a nice sub and if I wasn't able to get an SVS I would strongly consider it a player vs other Big Box store Subs like Polk, Klipsch, ect.

SVS started out as a Subwoofer company. They have grown into a Sub and Speaker company. Their Subs have been some of the Best for years. Outstanding Build Quality, Quality Components, Outstanding Performance, and Great Customer Service.

Yes I have owned Paradigm Studio's before. Still do somewhere in Storage

Why are you comparing Paradigm to big box store stuff? Polk and Klipsch are not in the same league as Paradigm, especially when it comes to subs.

 

[mazersteven]

Why are you comparing Paradigm to big box store stuff? Polk and Klipsch are not in the same league as Paradigm, especially when it comes to subs.

You didn't read where I said the Defiance is a nice sub???

 

[Tachead7075]

You didn't read where I said the Defiance is a nice sub???

I definitely did, I just thought it was weird you compared a company that hand builds their monitors in Canada and owns one of the best audio facilities in North America to two big box made in China brands that make notoriously lacking subs lol. No offence intended sir.

 

[stalag2005]

View attachment 39987

My SVS subs. They are discontinued PB12 Plus/2

I've also had another single 12' SVS. 3 total.

I've had upclose and personal experience with HSU subs too along with Paradigm, Polk, Klipsch, B&W, Definitive Technology, and Monitor Audio.

Home Theater or Music you need a Sub that can handle whatever's thrown at it with Tight, Clean low end.

I've been a member here since 2005 since you've asked.

Thank you. Can you expand on your experiences with the other subs and what you liked/disliked about those? Also, if you had to get a new SVR, which of the model lines would you choose?

 

[lovinthehd]

In like manner, like I have asked Mazer, I ask you the following

Do you own Hsu subwoofers? What model? Have you owned others? What have you found in how it balances with other speakers? Do you use the subwoofer in a surround sound application or is it stereo + woofer? How many years have you owned the speaker? Have you heard others? How did it compare to what you have owned?

No to both SVS subs (do have some speakers) and Hsu subs. I make my own these days. I have 10 subs in the house, most are diy.

 

[shadyJ]

All of the above-mentioned subs are good ones. If you don't need loud, then pretty much anything above $1k is overkill. I would be looking at maybe a Hsu VTF-2 mk5 or Monoprice Monolith 10" THX sub or maybe an RSL Speedwoofer 10S. It might sound a bit contradictory, but if you want quality over quantity, go for a multiple sub system over a single big sub. Multiple subs can do a far better job of mitigating room acoustics than a single sub, so you can end up with a much flatter frequency response, and a flat response is by far the most important measure of sound quality in bass frequencies.

 

[lovinthehd]

Why are you comparing Paradigm to big box store stuff? Polk and Klipsch are not in the same league as Paradigm, especially when it comes to subs.

Paradigm might be better than some speaker companies when it comes to subs, but I'd still go with a sub specialist generally....

 

[mazersteven]

What dimensions is your room and openings to other areas?

 

[stalag2005]

I am not in a place to measure at the moment, but if I had a guess about 12X16 feet for the living room/kitchen area (open concept)

 

[mazersteven]

SVS 2000 Pro Series Subwoofers

Reference subwoofer performance made possible for more people than ever.

www.svsound.com

PB-3000 Subwoofer | SVS

Unrivaled subwoofer output and deep bass extension for the price with control, accuracy and refinement on par with subwoofers costing three times the price.

www.svsound.com

 

[lovinthehd]

I am not in a place to measure at the moment, but if I had a guess about 12X16 feet for the living room/kitchen area (open concept)

More matters for a sub as to the whole volume available....so open concepts tend to add a heck of a lot of volume....

 

[Tachead7075]

Paradigm might be better than some speaker companies when it comes to subs, but I'd still go with a sub specialist generally....

Me too for the most part. I just wanted to point out the differences between Paradigm and Polk/Klipsch subs as these X12's are definitely on a whole other level then the Polk and Klipsch ones I have used or owned. I chose the X12's for the above reasons and to simplify my purchase(bought a full system). I originally intended to get 2 x PB-2000 Pro's. I also would have definitely considered Hsu, Rythmik, PSA, JTR, Monoprice/Monolith, etc. but, up here in Canada warranty can be an issue and Paradigm's factory is like a half day drive from my door.

 

[lovinthehd]

Me too for the most part. I just wanted to point out the differences between Paradigm and Polk/Klipsch subs as these X12's are definitely on a whole other level then the Polk and Klipsch ones I have used or owned. I chose the X12's for the above reasons and to simplify my purchase(bought a full system). I originally intended to get 2 x PB-2000 Pro's. I also would have definitely considered Hsu, Rythmik, PSA, Monoprice/Monolith, etc. but, up here in Canada warranty can be an issue.

I wouldn't consider Klipsch or Polk subs whatsoever. Canada definitely yields less choice....

 

[Tachead7075]

I wouldn't consider Klipsch or Polk subs whatsoever. Canada definitely yields less choice....

Me neither, they work but there is just so much better options even in Canada. Yep, if you want easy CS and warranty support that is. Not to mention decent pricing and shipping fees.

 

[lovinthehd]

Me neither, they work but there is just so much better options even in Canada. Yep, if you want easy CS and warranty support that is.

IMO Canadians should just get Funk J/K....sort of.

 

[Tachead7075]

IMO Canadians should just get Funk J/K....sort of.

If you are buying I will definitely compare to my X12's.

 

[lovinthehd]

If you are buying I will definitely compare to my X12's.

LOL you're on your own on the buying thing