Best 1-2K sub for HT and music

[romass]

My room is rather small (12.5 x 18 x 8), has lots of furniture, and only 2 viable locations for a sub so it's not the ideal room for audio. I do 75% HT and 25% music but I love the music so want a sub that will do both well. Some subs I'm considering are:

SVS - PB13-Ultra, PB12 Plus or Plus/2
HSU - VTF-3 HO
Velodyne (used DD-12 or DD-15)
ACI - Titan or Maestro
Others?

Have heard the JL Audios are great but a bit out of my range. Any suggestions on what will work best for me? Sub size is not an issue as my space can accomodate a pretty big sub. It's the limited locations that has me worried. So, would it be better for me to but a sub with more flexible controls (ACI Titan and DD's have continuously variable phase control), or is this not an issue. Are these too much sub for my small room ? Or should I say, can you ever have too much sub?

 

[Gimpy Ric]

Hsu Research VTF-3 HO

 

[jinjuku]

Maybe the eD A7-600 is worth a look

Dual 12" / 1300 watt RMS. 12" woofer will be more controllable in general and having 2 of them give you plenty of surface area. You can also plug a port to tighten it up even further.

You may be buying overkill for your room dimensions how ever. But I wouldn't let that stop you

 

[abboudc]

I have a smaller room than you (13x11) and have an ultra in it. Just because you have a sub that can crank out 100dB, doesn't mean you need to turn it all the way up. But a better sub is better at articulating the nuances of music and can dish out impact the way a smaller sub can't for HT.

All the subs you mention are awesome subs, it's going to come down to what you have space for, as you have a small room and some of them are very large. You think you have an idea how large they are and measure, but when the pallet shows up, it's way bigger than you ever thought it would be.

Of the ones you mention, *I* would pick the Hsu HO w/Turbo. If you can get over the appearance, there's little at $1k that compares. If space is a big issue, check out the cylinders. If it's not, take a look at the Plus/2.

They all sound great, and without demo'ing them together, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between them, especially in your room. So other factors are probably going to be a larger factor for you: aesthetics, size, and finish.

Good luck!

 

[Davemcc]

If tuning flexibility is important, SVS offers continuously variable phase control, selectable extention tuning and a parametric EQ on the Ultra and the Plus in optional finishes.

 

[Warpdrv]

Have to admit, that the New Ultra13 is a very attractive, flexible, and lets not forget extremely capable sub with great looks and a very good product for the price...

The finishes are excellent, I have 2... a Plus/2 in rosenut, and a Plus in Piano.

Pre-Order Discount is attractive, and Customer Service is excellant...

Good Luck on your hunt...

 

[romass]

Maybe the eD A7-600 is worth a look

Dual 12" / 1300 watt RMS. 12" woofer will be more controllable in general and having 2 of them give you plenty of surface area. You can also plug a port to tighten it up even further.

You may be buying overkill for your room dimensions how ever. But I wouldn't let that stop you

Not familiar with eD...is that DIY?

 

[AVRat]

It's hard to beat the price/performance of the SVS/HSUs, but if you'd like something smaller in you budget you might also consider the Def Tech SeperCube I/Reference.

 

[romass]

I have a smaller room than you (13x11) and have an ultra in it. Just because you have a sub that can crank out 100dB, doesn't mean you need to turn it all the way up. But a better sub is better at articulating the nuances of music and can dish out impact the way a smaller sub can't for HT.

Good to hear.

All the subs you mention are awesome subs, it's going to come down to what you have space for, as you have a small room and some of them are very large. You think you have an idea how large they are and measure, but when the pallet shows up, it's way bigger than you ever thought it would be.

They'll all fit based on my yardstick but you make a good point.

Of the ones you mention, *I* would pick the Hsu HO w/Turbo. If you can get over the appearance, there's little at $1k that compares. If space is a big issue, check out the cylinders. If it's not, take a look at the Plus/2.

You're talking about the SVS cylinders??

They all sound great, and without demo'ing them together, you'd be hard pressed to tell the difference between them, especially in your room. So other factors are probably going to be a larger factor for you: aesthetics, size, and finish.

Good luck!

Thanks for the info!

 

[mazersteven]

My room is rather small (12.5 x 18 x 8), has lots of furniture, and only 2 viable locations for a sub so it's not the ideal room for audio. I do 75% HT and 25% music but I love the music so want a sub that will do both well. Some subs I'm considering are:

SVS - PB13-Ultra, PB12 Plus or Plus/2
HSU - VTF-3 HO
Velodyne (used DD-12 or DD-15)
ACI - Titan or Maestro
Others?

All excellent subwoofers. All at the top of the subwoofer wars.

Seems like someones trying to start a flame war.

 

[romass]

All excellent subwoofers. All at the top of the subwoofer wars.

Seems like someones trying to start a flame war.


Not trying to start any wars but sounds like they may already exist...maybe there is no best but lots of IMOs?

I see lots of posts, and replies here, for SVS and HSU....no replies and few posts about ACI although they have good reviews. Any idea why? And I have no vested interests here. I'm just a bass lover trying to make a decision on a big upgrade. I'm replacing an OLD Celestion Impact S2 sub if anyone has ever heard of it. I've searched for info on this sub and could find nothing!

 

[jinjuku]

Not familiar with eD...is that DIY?

eD is Elemental Designs, Inc.

They make some truly bank for the buck subs.

 

[mtrycrafts]

eD is Elemental Designs, Inc.

They make some truly bank for the buck subs.

Do you know if Tom Nousaine tested this yet?

 

[mtrycrafts]

But a better sub is better at articulating the nuances of music and can dish out impact the way a smaller sub can't for HT.
!

When the ears at such low frequencies are not as sensitive as at mid band, 3kHz-4kHz, I think all that articulation would be for not
http://www.provide.net/~djcarlst/abx_crit.htm

When you need 3dB spl or more change to detect it, I think all that articulation will be missed.

 

[Tomorrow]

All excellent subwoofers. All at the top of the subwoofer wars.

Seems like someones trying to start a flame war.


Not trying to start any wars but sounds like they may already exist...maybe there is no best but lots of IMOs?

I see lots of posts, and replies here, for SVS and HSU....no replies and few posts about ACI although they have good reviews. Any idea why? And I have no vested interests here. I'm just a bass lover trying to make a decision on a big upgrade. I'm replacing an OLD Celestion Impact S2 sub if anyone has ever heard of it. I've searched for info on this sub and could find nothing!

I have not heard ACI subs...so my information is all second hand...but it is exceedingly positive. I own ACI speakers and Hsu subs and love them both. There are quite a few Titans and Maestros on Audiogon and Videogon right now. You might snag a mint sub at a great price. But be sure to check the sale items at ACI...they've been running some nice "Moving Sale" pricing. http://www.audioc.com/specials1/specials.htm

Happy sub hunting.

 

[westcott]

Do you know if Tom Nousaine tested this yet?

I do not see it on the list but here is the latest Nousaine list for reference. I vote for my sub as the best bang for the buck under $2000, and probably the least mentioned.

Nousaine Subwoofer Shootout

 

[abboudc]

When the ears at such low frequencies are not as sensitive as at mid band, 3kHz-4kHz, I think all that articulation would be for not
http://www.provide.net/~djcarlst/abx_crit.htm

When you need 3dB spl or more change to detect it, I think all that articulation will be missed.

Not as sensitive doesn't mean not audible. Clearly, there are audible differences between an SVS Ultra and a Klipsch KSW10, even in a small room at relatively low volumes (unless you have it turned WAY down). It's not about SPL or frequency. It's about cleanliness, boominess, and general lack of muddiness. Now, I'll give you that you probably won't be able to tell a difference amongst the subs mentioned. But the OP was asking about "overkill" in a small room with one of these subs but IMO, there are many more benefits to a great sub beyond increased output vs a smaller, cheaper sub.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

Just get a Servo 15.

 

[Warpdrv]

Just get a Servo 15.

That is an amazing sub...

 

[westcott]

That is an amazing sub...

That is number 24 on the list!!!!