Subwoofer Choice

[alexadams77]

Well, I've been waiting years to get out of the apartment life so that I could fully enjoy my surround system. With that being said, a lot of my things are out-dated and need upgrades. The thing that I'm missing and that I'm dying for is BASS!!!! I have to turn my Receiver up really loud to get the bass that I'm looking for and then other things start to distort. So, with that being said, I'm in the market for a Subwoofer. I'm looking at spending around $2000 for a good quality sub or possibley two subs. I use my system for 99.9% HT and love to feel explosions. I am pretty much a Bass freak. When I moved into my house I played the Matrix (Neo & Trinity entering the building in order to save Morpheous up until after the roof scene) over and over again. So, I do need some help, but I do have some subs I'm looking into;

SVS: Any
HSU: VTF-3 Mark III/HO
Axiom: EP500 or..........EP600
Suggestions:

Here are my room specs;

Room: opens up to dining room, hallway, kitchen doorway & stairs going down
Room Size: 14W x 20L x 8H

Receiver: Yamaha RX-V2200
Fronts: Bose 701 (bought in 2001)
Center: Mission 77c
Rear: Bose 301 (bought in 2001)
Rear Center: Bose VCS10 (bought in 2001)

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum! Always nice to have another bass freak around.

If you e-mail any of those companies, they should be able to tell you their recommendations for which of their subs would work best for you. I've heard time and time again that SVS will not try to oversell you. I've also heard good things about Hsu and Axiom.

One thing that I'd like to point out is that the new Ultra subs from SVS are still at their pre-order prices. I don't know how much they would cost you in Canada, but they are $100 USD off their regular prices right now. If you buy two, you save another 5%, but I'm guessing that one Ultra should handle your room (but again, ask SVS what they think).

 

[alexadams77]

I've been looking into the PB13-Ultra as well, but I wish that SVS would've released a couple early for some reviews. That sub is $150 off right now for the pre-order and to my door is $1775 CAD. That would be an excellent sub, but I'd like to hear reviews on it first.

 

[Nick250]

Have the cubic feet/dimensions of your listening room including large openings into other rooms if, appropriate, ready when you call the on line vendors. That's one of the most important factors when getting a sub recommendation.

Nick

 

[Buckeye_Nut]

Well, I've been waiting years to get out of the apartment life so that I could fully enjoy my surround system. With that being said, a lot of my things are out-dated and need upgrades. The thing that I'm missing and that I'm dying for is BASS!!!! I have to turn my Receiver up really loud to get the bass that I'm looking for and then other things start to distort. So, with that being said, I'm in the market for a Subwoofer. I'm looking at spending around $2000 for a good quality sub or possibley two subs. I use my system for 99.9% HT and love to feel explosions. I am pretty much a Bass freak. When I moved into my house I played the Matrix (Neo & Trinity entering the building in order to save Morpheous up until after the roof scene) over and over again. So, I do need some help, but I do have some subs I'm looking into;

SVS: Any
HSU: VTF-3 Mark III/HO
Axiom: EP500 or..........EP600
Suggestions:

Here are my room specs;

Room: opens up to dining room, hallway, kitchen doorway & stairs going down
Room Size: 14W x 20L x 8H

You'll achieve greater performance from a single more capable subwoofer, than by combining two less able subwoofers to remain within a specific budget. Something like JL Audio's Fathomf113 or SVSs Ultra13 or PLUS/2 should be right up your alley. Your room size is irrelevant as it relates to subwoofer performance because a better more capable subwoofer will outperform a lesser counterpart in any room...and at every volume.

 

[mazersteven]

You'll achieve greater performance from a single more capable subwoofer, than by combining two less able subwoofers to remain within a specific budget. Something like JL Audio's Fathomf113 or SVSs Ultra13 or PLUS/2 should be right up your alley. Your room size is irrelevant as it relates to subwoofer performance because a better more capable subwoofer will outperform a lesser counterpart in any room...and at every volume.

I agree with Buckeye about getting one Great sub instead of two OK subs.

I think for what the JL Fathom cost, and your room size. You would be better off with one SVS PB12-Plus/2. I think the gains vs. cost the diminishing returns are not worth it. JMO.

And with the Piano Gloss Black on sale for $1299 that is awesome.

 

[patnshan]

If you are a bass head and can spend $1300, I doubt you'd do better than the new PC-Ultra. I have a plus and it feels like a mule is kicking the back of the couch sometimes. I guess I like that feeling, strange, I know
I love the tubes, so I have to reccommend one to you as well.

Pat

 

[dem beats]

DIY subs FTW

You can't beat if for the cost. But Ug and Ly will come to visit if you want performance pluss they take up tons of room.

I have not heard a fathom yet but my guess it maximum poundage with minimum space.

a 2k budget is nice for sub sir. i would push it to the max a nice quad 18" driver with dual behringers would do

 

[GlocksRock]

I say with that budget, you can't go wrong with dual SVS 16-46 PC+ subs. Two of them will give you all the headroom you need, and with the native 16 Hz. tune, you will feel the explosions like you never have before.

 

[annunaki]

If DIY is a possiblility, Look into the this http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33596&page=3 thread, my last post.

5.0 ft^3 is about 21" x 21" x 26" external (assuming .75" MDF) and should allow enough room for port, driver, bracing, and amplifier displacement. You may have to tweak a half inch on one of the dimensions to get it perfect.

For about $300.00 including materials you can equal performance of a $1,000 pre-built sub or exceed it.

You could do 4 of them with real hardwood veneers for a $2K budget and have an unbelievable system with loads of headroom. You could even add in a Behringer DCX2496 to have custom room equalization to boot.

 

[patnshan]

If DIY is a possiblility, Look into the this http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=33596&page=3 thread, my last post.

5.0 ft^3 is about 21" x 21" x 26" external (assuming .75" MDF) and should allow enough room for port, driver, bracing, and amplifier displacement. You may have to tweak a half inch on one of the dimensions to get it perfect.

For about $300.00 including materials you can equal performance of a $1,000 pre-built sub or exceed it.

You could do 4 of them with real hardwood veneers for a $2K budget and have an unbelievable system with loads of headroom. You could even add in a Behringer DCX2496 to have custom room equalization to boot.

What about some sonotube and aircraft carpet? I was thinking of trying one of those myself one of these days.

Pat

 

[alexadams77]

I don't have the time, patience or the tools to do a DIY, although i would love to try it sometime in the distant future.

I've been actually thinking about getting a PB12-NSD and upgrading my fronts with the rest of the money.

I've been looking at Axiom M60 or M80

 

[annunaki]

If DIY is out I would suggest SVS. They really do a nice job. I have the PB12-Ultra and it is a fantastic subwoofer.

 

[AVRat]

From a question on AVS:

I'm looking at a new sub and I'm up in the air right now. Based on my room dimensions and WAF, I can only put the sub/subs beside my sofa facing forward. I know this is far from ideal, but would it still be alright?

Room: opens up to dining room, hallway, kitchen doorway & stairs going down
Room Size: 14W x 20L x 8H

Not a problem and should provide more visceral impact positioned nearfield.

 

[Soundman]

Here's an idea: Get two of these. The PB12-NSD/2. It's $899, so get two of them for about $1800. It's a great value for the price. One of these will give you about 3 times the impact of the entry lvl SVS sub (which is a darn good sub too!), so economically your getting 3 times the power for only about twice the price, good price /performance ratio. So two of these would be like putting 6 pb10-NSD's in your room. You really have to start spending alot of money to get that kind of raw power. Plus, you get variable tuning to 25, 20 and 16 hz (typical room is 3-5 hz lower, so it's low enough to capture 99% of the audio for DVD playback. Could you get a more powerful SVS sub? Of course, but I think it's the best value for money spent IMO.
However, it is a huge sub, so you'll need to think about placement before getting too of these. Good luck.

 

[Soundman]

Here's an idea: Get two of these. The PB12-NSD/2. It's $899, so get two of them for about $1800. It's a great value for the price. One of these will give you about 3 times the impact of the entry lvl SVS sub (which is a darn good sub too!), so economically your getting 3 times the power for only about twice the price, good price /performance ratio. So two of these would be like putting 6 pb10-NSD's in your room. You really have to start spending alot of money to get that kind of raw power. Plus, you get variable tuning to 25, 20 and 16 hz (typical room is 3-5 hz lower, so it's low enough to capture 99% of the audio for DVD playback. Could you get a more powerful SVS sub? Of course, but I think it's the best value for money spent IMO.
However, it is a huge sub, so you'll need to think about placement before getting too of these. Good luck.

I'm seriously considering the PB12-NSD/2 myself. email Ed Mullen, he knows his stuff.

 

[mazersteven]

I'm seriously considering the PB12-NSD/2 myself. email Ed Mullen, he knows his stuff.

My PB12-Plus/2 will eat your NSD for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. LOL

Now take that back to Ed Mullen

 

[Soundman]

My PB12-Plus/2 will eat your NSD for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. LOL

Now take that back to Ed Mullen

I'm quite sure, Mazer. My point in mentioning it, is that the NSD iS a great bang for the buck product. Obviously, it's not in the same league as the Plus. The Plus has a much more powerful amp and so it's priced accordingly.

 

[Soundman]

My PB12-Plus/2 will eat your NSD for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. LOL

Now take that back to Ed Mullen

heh...but I do see your humor.

 

[mazersteven]

Here's an idea: Get two of these. The PB12-NSD/2. It's $899, so get two of them for about $1800.

How about 1 Ultra-13 instead?