Onix X-Sub vs Velodyne DPS-10

[AlphaWolf]

Somebody made a good point to me earlier in another thread about bargain hunting for good subs locally (e.g. opened box, etc) so that got me looking at the local stores for comparatively spec'ed (I can't audition the x-sub) subs. That said, I have set my eyes on the DPS-10 recently, and given my track record on extreme post-purchase price adjustments, it may be possible for me to obtain it for a decent price, somewhere around the cost of the x-sub. That in mind, how would most of you say the Velodyne DPS-10 would perform against the Onix X-Sub in a 15x15x10 room?

 

[j_garcia]

I think either of them would do fine in a 15x15 room, however you may have bass response issues because having a square footprint for your room means cancellation at various frequencies is more likely. I think Sheep owned the DPS-10, and if so, hopefully he will respond with some feedback on it.

 

[dem beats]

I have the velo DPS 10.

It is so beautiful in my room it's crazy. It also gets absolutely LOUD. I notice NO chuffing as I had in most other subs I localy auditioned. i got a great open box deal too. nearly PERFECT!


it plays music verry tight and full, it's easy to have it take up too much of the sound floor and be overbearing. I liek the Jazz setting as it seams less punchy for music. I do use the movie setting for movies however.

I however am missing the power in the low end. I will be doing a DIY set up. Possibly dual 18" or so..... I want headroom and things to fall from counters in other rooms when explosions happen.

It's high points are the asthetics. That uber gloss top is so sexy wow!
It also gets plenty loud with no chuffing sound which to me is the worst dang noice ever. I would rather have a bit of distortion down low than chuffing sounds... Those iritate to no end and really make the bass feel like there is a "source" of the noise... So to me that is a great big deal. I would say it is a top performer if you can find it on sale! It's no Paradigm servo, but It will rock that room you have!

If you desire to dig way way way down deep it's not the choice for you but then you need to add a zero to the end of your budget too.

I haven't heard a track bottom it out but once and a while I can notice it to "struggle" playing super low with higher SPL in those rare scenes. I haven't tried finding nemo but some of the pod racing moments can really push the limits.

Another strong point are the easy set buttons I find if I have dials to calibrate I sit there and play with them for hours and hours on end. Never finding it to be just right. With this set up it's 4 options you find 1, maybe 2, that you like and you stick with that setting. I see the value in it, but I also do like when I can have the knobs and more manual customization. So depending on who you are.. blessing or curse.

I can also so, it plays suprisingly loud for such a (relatively) small box, while staying so sexy.

Down sides. Can't hit the LOW LOWS with tons of power, but you won't know unless you know it should be there... you know?

I think the little blue LED light is a tad too bright and the night mode doesn't darken it enough...... at least you can see it, but I have it in the front of the room... so I nitpick with a dedicated closed off darkened HT room.

Sum up
I think for the price you have to look for things you specificaly don't like, such as the blue LED etc and no manual adjustments for EQ and the lack of uber low hz you feel. But it's loud for HT and it's verry articulate for music aplications. I supose if you blast uber bass music and crank the sub up it may not fullfill your needs but then get an excursion and put 4 18" strokers in there with 6000 watts and watch your vision blurr!

=D

 

[Seth=L]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-dps-10

If the DPS-10 where around the same suggested retail as the x-sub, maybe the review would have been more favorable.

 

[Ron Temple]

The DPS 10 was one of the first sub's I owned. I was really pleased with it. Looking back and after reading that review (again), I have to agree with most of the reviewers comments. At first blush, the Velo sounds great until you compare it to other more capable woofs. I haven't heard the x-sub, but from what I've read, it's articulate, linear and punchy. It's just not going to fill a large space. My tastes have changed and I'd probably go with the x-sub even at the same price...probably won't be as loud, but I'd still try it.

 

[AlphaWolf]

http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/velodyne-dps-10

If the DPS-10 where around the same suggested retail as the x-sub, maybe the review would have been more favorable.

Yeah I read that review last night, and BTW that raises an interesting question: in order to get those deep sharp/powerful tones (e.g. the t-rex footsteps he talked about, which were better on the $1,500 model) is it necessary to have a larger sub, or is it possible to achieve that effect by adding more subs later? Or could bass shakers help to achieve that for ultra-low effects?

 

[j_garcia]

Yes, bass shakers will definitely help. You don't need a giant sub to achieve low effects, but as you go lower it does mean you need to move up the food chain some. I was able to achieve 16Hz with a SVS PB-10 in a pretty large room, and that is just $429.

 

[billnchristy]

Seems to me if you listen to music at all then the X-sub is the way to go. It is a very musical sub that also happens to do explosions pretty well and exceptionally well for the money.

I have no problems recommending it for people with the same size or smaller room than me.

 

[Sheep]

I personally would wait and save. The DPS-12 isn't even all that capable with super low stuff, so I think an SVS unit would be worth the wait.

SheepStar

 

[AlphaWolf]

Seems to be a tough divide between the SVS 5.1 set and the Onix 5.1 set. Judging from the reviews, the Onix are going to be have slightly better mains, and the SVS is going to have an even better sub.

The 5.1 SVS set is $799, and the Onix set is $779. Very tough call. I want details, which I have heard the Onix are better at, but the overall experience for movies/games (and I favor those way over music) would possibly be better with the SVS. I so wish it was possible to compare these two side by side.

 

[Seth=L]

If I where in your shoes I would get the Onix set, and upgrade the sub at a later date when budget allows.

 

[AlphaWolf]

True...I hate upgrading though, I like to just get something, and then stick with it for several years and get good use out of it, and replace it only after its seen its better days.

 

[j_garcia]

Seems to be a tough divide between the SVS 5.1 set and the Onix 5.1 set. Judging from the reviews, the Onix are going to be have slightly better mains, and the SVS is going to have an even better sub.

The 5.1 SVS set is $799, and the Onix set is $779. Very tough call. I want details, which I have heard the Onix are better at, but the overall experience for movies/games (and I favor those way over music) would possibly be better with the SVS. I so wish it was possible to compare these two side by side.

I think I've said it before, but I don't think you'll go wrong with either. The X-sub isn't going to match the PB-10 for sure, but that doesn't mean you wouldn't be happy with it, so it will just require some thought on the trade offs.

 

[AlphaWolf]

What is the largest size room you'd want to use the PB-10 on btw?

 

[j_garcia]

My room was 19x20 with a high vaulted ceiling and open to the kitchen, so somewhere on the order of 5000cf. It did surprisingly well in there, but it wasn't enough to really excite that kind of air volume. I'm not sure exactly what size, but I also heard it in a room that was 19x14x8 and it sounded fine, which is just over 2000cf.