Need help, newbie shopping around for a sub.

[JOD]

Basicly i bough a home theater system, the sub is trash, too low powered, its fine for movie booms, but not good for accurate bass reproduction in songs. Basicly im looking for something that is going to be very clean sounding, good for music but also that will hit hard and be good for movies. I need the sub to be a self powered type. I care more about sound quality than how loud it is. This is one sub i was looking at is the Cerwin Vega CLS-15S, it fits the price im looking for(~400$) but my concerns are that it is really big and it seems to me that it doesnt have a lot of power to move that big cone accurately, it will be loud but not crisp. Looking for advice and opinions/suggestions. Thanks!!

 

[JOD]

Cerwin Vega CLS-15S specs


15" Front-Firing Powered Subwoofer
(Preliminary specifications subject to change.)


For the serious bass enthusiast who wants room-jarring low frequency down to 25 Hz, the CLS-15S is just the ticket. Featuring a bass reflex design, the CLS-15S is a 300-watt powered subwoofer with level controls and a continuously variable crossover from 40 Hz to 150 Hz, enabling the user to tailor the bass response to any environment.


•
Frequency Response: 25 Hz - 150 Hz

•
400 watts Peak Power Output

• 200 watts RMS/continuous
• 15" Cast Frame High Excursion Woofer
•
Continuously Variable Crossover From 40-150 Hz

• Adjustable Level Control
• Speaker Level & Line Level Inputs
• LFE Input
• Auto-On Sensing
• User Selected Polarity Switch
• Hi Current, Class AB Amplifier Design
• Elegant Black-Ash Enclosure
• Bass Reflex Design

DIMENSIONS
Dimensions (HxWxD): 23.5" x 18.75" x 18.75"

Weight: 64 lbs.

 

[gus6464]

For $400-500max look at the following:

HSU VTF-1
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1.html

HSU VTF-2MK3
http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html

SVS PB10-NSD
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-isd.cfm

ED A3-300
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=102

ED A3-250
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/product_info.php?products_id=309

Out of all of those the most musical ones will be the HSU. The ED ones are good subs for the money but they look like butt. And the SVS is just an all around good performer. I personally would put it between the HSU VTF2 and SVS.

 

[JOD]

ooooo, that SVS looks like what im after i will def consider it! This is another sub I was looking at Kipsch RW-10d, do you think the PB10–NSD would blow it out of the water? Also remember Im looking for something that is going to be precise and accurate enough for music, but pack a punch for movies! Also, what are your thoughts on the Cerwin Vega CLS-15S which my friend insists, is a "legit sub"?

 

[gus6464]

ooooo, that SVS looks like what im after i will def consider it! This is another sub I was looking at Kipsch RW-10d, do you think the PB10–NSD would blow it out of the water? Also remember Im looking for something that is going to be precise and accurate enough for music, but pack a punch for movies! Also, what are your thoughts on the Cerwin Vega CLS-15S which my friend insists, is a "legit sub"?

Personally retail low end subs like the Klipsch and CV are no match for the Internet direct offerings. You have to step up to the ones >$1000 to match the offerings from HSU and SVS.

 

[Warpdrv]

Just a touch over budget but would be an excellent product...

B-stock Model PB12- NSD Black
Price: $529.00
https://svsound.com/store/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=12


Product page... normally $599.00
https://svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm


I have bought 3 subs from their B-Stock Page, and they are flawless..

 

[rnatalli]

SVS, HSU, or eD. All great subs for the money.

 

[Seth=L]

ooooo, that SVS looks like what im after i will def consider it! This is another sub I was looking at Kipsch RW-10d, do you think the PB10–NSD would blow it out of the water? Also remember Im looking for something that is going to be precise and accurate enough for music, but pack a punch for movies! Also, what are your thoughts on the Cerwin Vega CLS-15S which my friend insists, is a "legit sub"?

I used to have one of those Klipsch 10" subwoofers, it was pathetic to say the least.

 

[JOD]

I used to have one of those Klipsch 10" subwoofers, it was pathetic to say the least.

Really? It looked like a very serious product, cerametalic cone, digitaly controled, hmm. I suppose now the one that looks the best so far is the SVSPB10 NSD. but im going to keep shopping and see if i can find anything that hits harder and cleaner and lower. If not, the SVS PB10 NSD looks like it will do the job!

 

[JOD]

So it looks like the SVS PB10 NDS is what im after, the only thing that i dont like about it is that it doesnt have a variable crossover, ive never had a sub with a variable crossover before, but it sounded like something nice to have. Also i hear you need a SPL meter to "properly" configer a HT setup? What are your guys thoughts?

 

[Warpdrv]

How are you hooking this up... to a receiver...? If so, most receivers will take care of the crossover settings, so you should be fine without a variable.. I have never used mine, its only used if you run the high level (speaker wire) inputs.

Yes you should get a spl meter..

 

[JOD]

How are you hooking this up... to a receiver...? If so, most receivers will take care of the crossover settings, so you should be fine without a variable.. I have never used mine, its only used if you run the high level (speaker wire) inputs.

Yes you should get a spl meter..

Ya, to a reciver, im just not so sure about how high of a quality crossover is in there.

 

[TRT]

Get A Definitive Technologies SuperCube Subwoofer. Nobody will be able to say you made a bad decision!

 

[JOD]

Get A Definitive Technologies SuperCube Subwoofer. Nobody will be able to say you made a bad decision!

Looks like they are out of my price range. I think i have made the decision, i will go with the SVS 10". THANK TO EVERY ONE, i will report back and let you guys know how it is.

 

[Seth=L]

Get A Definitive Technologies SuperCube Subwoofer. Nobody will be able to say you made a bad decision!

Of course I would.

The Definitive Tech Supercube are impressive for their size, but not for the price.

 

[Sheep]

Get A Definitive Technologies SuperCube Subwoofer. Nobody will be able to say you made a bad decision!

Translation: Buy what I bought, It rocks! Lawlzorz.

SheepStar

 

[gus6464]

Translation: Buy what I bought, It rocks! Lawlzorz.

SheepStar

Supercubes are good subs for their size. They are expensive but good nonetheless. Now I wonder what you think about REL subs lol.

 

[Sheep]

Supercubes are good subs for their size. They are expensive but good nonetheless. Now I wonder what you think about REL subs lol.

Rel = All show no go. Don't make me pull graphs from AVtalk... (they have measured many Rel Subs).

Tom Nousaine has measurements for Deftech. -3dB point 45hz. Enough Said.

SheepStar