Recording Studio Mixing / Mastering - Best Sub Choice?

[auramatrix]

I have narrowed it down to 3 subwoofers and would love everyone's advice. Arendal 1723 1S, SVS SB-3000, or HSU ULS-15 MK2. I am also open to other suggestions. I will be buying a pair of whichever I decide to go with. The application is for mixing and mastering music, so accuracy is #1. Room size is 20'x12'x8'. I appreciate any help you can provide.

 

[shadyJ]

They all have ruler-flat responses, so they are all very accurate. One advantage that the ULS-15 and 1723 might have for a studio setting is the inclusion of balanced inputs. The SB-3000 does not have that. Since accuracy is the #1 priority, you really should be aiming for two subs (or more) in order to tame room modes and get a flat response. Yes, these subs all have a flat response, but that all goes to hell in room. The way to combat that is a multiple sub system where the subs are placed optimally to flatten the in-room response. This matters much more than what brand of sub you get, if you are serious about accuracy.

 

[auramatrix]

They all have ruler-flat responses, so they are all very accurate. One advantage that the ULS-15 and 1723 might have for a studio setting is the inclusion of balanced inputs. The SB-3000 does not have that. Since accuracy is the #1 priority, you really should be aiming for two subs (or more) in order to tame room modes and get a flat response. Yes, these subs all have a flat response, but that all goes to hell in room. The way to combat that is a multiple sub system where the subs are placed optimally to flatten the in-room response. This matters much more than what brand of sub you get, if you are serious about accuracy.

I am definitely getting two subs.

Would you pick Arendal or HSU?

 

[afterlife2]

I am definitely getting two subs.

Would you pick Arendal or HSU?

I'm thinking HSU since Shady mentioned it first.

 

[shadyJ]

I am definitely getting two subs.

Would you pick Arendal or HSU?

The Hsu has more punch, but the Arendal has an onboard equalizer. If you don't have an outboard way to equalize the response, the Arendal subs may be able to yield a flatter response- if you have a way to take measurements. Without careful in-room measurements, manual EQ is worthless. If you already have a way to EQ the subs, the greater headroom of the Hsu might be of more interest to you.

 

[auramatrix]

The Hsu has more punch, but the Arendal has an onboard equalizer. If you don't have an outboard way to equalize the response, the Arendal subs may be able to yield a flatter response- if you have a way to take measurements. Without careful in-room measurements, manual EQ is worthless. If you already have a way to EQ the subs, the greater headroom of the Hsu might be of more interest to you.

Thank you. I will use a miniDSP SHD to handle all the room correction, so it sounds like HSU is the way to go!

 

[Out-Of-Phase]

Rythmik Audio • Direct Servo subwoofer products

Rythmik Audio

 

[auramatrix]

The Hsu has more punch, but the Arendal has an onboard equalizer. If you don't have an outboard way to equalize the response, the Arendal subs may be able to yield a flatter response- if you have a way to take measurements. Without careful in-room measurements, manual EQ is worthless. If you already have a way to EQ the subs, the greater headroom of the Hsu might be of more interest to you.

@shadyJ will you weigh in on HSU vs Rythmik?

 

[auramatrix]

Some people have raised concerns about the foam around the HSU drivers rotting out in time. Is this something I should worry about?

 

[highfigh]

Who will listen to the mixes? You need to use either: speakers with great response that don't need augmented bass or speakers that are commonly used. In the past, and if you look for comments from recording/mixing engineers, you'll find them in articles, interviews and ads- they would check their mix by playing it through a boom box or a car radio because they were mixing for the masses, not a small number of people who had similar-sounding equipment.

 

[auramatrix]

Who will listen to the mixes? You need to use either: speakers with great response that don't need augmented bass or speakers that are commonly used. In the past, and if you look for comments from recording/mixing engineers, you'll find them in articles, interviews and ads- they would check their mix by playing it through a boom box or a car radio because they were mixing for the masses, not a small number of people who had similar-sounding equipment.

What does this have to do with my recommendation request for subwoofers? I have been mixing records for over 20 years. Although I appreciate it, I do not need advice on how to check if a mix will translate to the real world.

 

[highfigh]

What does this have to do with my recommendation request for subwoofers? I have been mixing records for over 20 years. Although I appreciate it, I do not need advice on how to check if a mix will translate to the real world.

Maybe you could have included this in your first post.

 

[auramatrix]

Maybe you could have included this in your first post.

My first post clearly stated that I was asking for subwoofer recommendations, not mixing advice.

 

[highfigh]

My first post clearly stated that I was asking for subwoofer recommendations, not mixing advice.

True, but the application is important- using a sub for general listening isn't the same as using it for mixing.

 

[shadyJ]

@shadyJ will you weigh in on HSU vs Rythmik?

Can't go wrong with either, although with Rythmik, if you don't use the LFE input, you do not get much upper-end extension. Make sure the version you get has an XLR input that functions as an LFE input.

Some people have raised concerns about the foam around the HSU drivers rotting out in time. Is this something I should worry about?

Hsu surrounds use nitrile-butyl rubber foam, those aren't anything like the old foam surrounds of the 70s and 80s. Whoever raised concerns about that doesn't know what they are talking about.

 

[auramatrix]

True, but the application is important- using a sub for general listening isn't the same as using it for mixing.

Once again, you are talking to someone mixing records for over 20 years. I know this, which is implied by this: "The application is for mixing and mastering music, so accuracy is #1", which was in my first post.

 

[lovinthehd]

Some people have raised concerns about the foam around the HSU drivers rotting out in time. Is this something I should worry about?

Had not heard that before.

 

[shadyJ]

Had not heard that before.

That's cuz it hasn't been an issue for at least 30 years and realistically closer to 40 years.

 

[lovinthehd]

That's cuz it hasn't been an issue for at least 30 years and realistically closer to 40 years.

That is a heck of a long time ago!

 

[highfigh]

Once again, you are talking to someone mixing records for over 20 years. I know this, which is implied by this: "The application is for mixing and mastering music, so accuracy is #1", which was in my first post.

You started a thread and didn't include pertinent information and now, you're giving me shyte for making comments that came from your lack of clarity?