Thoughts on Chrysalis subs anyone?

[cwall99]

So, the economy being what it is, I'm looking for a cheaper sub than even the HSUs and Axioms that are in the $500 to $700 range. And a few others.

I was curious, though, since the price is pretty good, whether anyone had any thoughts on the Chrysalis (by Velodyne - hey, it's in the name) Sunfire series of subs.

My gear is listed in my signature, but doesn't mention that I do have a sub, but it's not really worth mentioning as it doesn't even get deeper than the 603s, and I really use it to just try and move a little more air.

The room is a 4200 cubic foot space (60 percent family room, 40 percent kitchen/breakfast space with a countertop height wall running about halfway out between the two spaces).

I know the Chrysalis don't have that bottom end extension into the sub-20 Hz region, but, they are $200 or more cheaper, and that's a factor I have to balance.

Thanks.

 

[Exit]

Do you have any technical reviews of the Chrysalis subwoofer and what are they saying? I wouldn’t buy a subwoofer without seeing a technical review. That subwoofer isn’t on Craigsublist (AVS forum) either, while other well known subwoofers are ranked on the list as low as $199. It might be wiser to wait and save a little more money. Generally you get what you pay for and being frugal on a subwoofer is likely to be disappointment in the long run.

 

[emorphien]

Interesting, I haven't heard of these before. They all look to be pretty compact so I guess these are more options for those looking for something small (like me).

I wonder how they'll stack up against other compact subs. At this point I've more or less been figuring I would get the SVS SB12.

 

[zumbo]

It just amazes me that actual members of Audioholics have never heard of subs sold by Audioholics. Just shocking. Do any of you even visit the Audioholics Store?

http://store.audioholics.com/section/20/1

 

[Highbar]

Zumbo just got there before I could. I googled it and the first hit was the Audioholics store. Kind of funny that no one here has heard of them and the store sells them. Can't imagine they would sell them if they weren't at least worth a listen.

Get one and let us know how it is.

 

[cwall99]

Some stuff on the Chrysalis line...

Found an article here: http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/subwoofer-reviews/subwoofers/fall-shopping-guide-to-affordable-subwoofers---chrysalis-photon-8-starfire-10-and-bassmatrix-12_2.html

That's actually the second page of the review of three different subs by Chrysalis, but (and you'll have to pardon me for being a bit of a technical dope on some of this stuff) they seemed to like them.

My issues with this review article is that they didn't cover the Starfire-12, which I would presume would perform a little bit better than the 10 covered in the review. At least a little more SPL down low.

The Chrysalis line is sold here in the Audioholics store, and I'm willing to grant that they're being totally honest when they say that the products they selll online here get good reviews because, if they sucked, they wouldn't sell them here. They aren't dummies, and my guess is that this site wouldn't be as popular as it is if they were.

I know the bottom end isn't down there where I'd like it to be, and I know that wisdom would call for me holding off on getting something cheaper sooner rather than saving up for that day when I can drop in the perfect subwoofer for my setup. But I'm really missing some more serious LFE in my movies.

I'm just struggling with my American-ness, and having a hard time delaying gratification.

The price is right, and so I thought maybe someone around the boards here could share their experience.

Thanks for your insights.

 

[emorphien]

Do any of you even visit the Audioholics Store?

Not really :lol:

I'll check them out. I'm looking for something no bigger than the SVS SB12 and if it can get down to the mid 20s in a small to mid-size room at low to moderate output levels I'll be happy. I'm not looking for huge thundering bass, just support for 2 channel music.

I won't lie, the Photon 8 has extremely appealing dimensions! I doubt it would keep up with the SB12 but it may do what I'd need. Worth checking in to!

 

[mike c]

i noticed them from the AH store
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45248&highlight=chrysalis

photon 8 review
http://www.audioholics.com/reviews/speakers/subwoofers/photon-8-subwoofer

 

[Sheep]

They are Re-badged Velodyne Subwoofers. That should give everyone an idea of how they perform.

SheepStar

 

[emorphien]

I want to know if they're strictly rebadged or if they're different models. Seems like it's a new model line/brand spinoff for Velodyne, but they're still Velodyne. Not sure what the purpose is for that but it's interesting. The prices look attractive on the Audioholics store.

I keep forgetting ":lol:" doesn't work here. Only forum that doesn't have the goofy laughing face.

 

[mike c]

I want to know if they're strictly rebadged or if they're different models. Seems like it's a new model line/brand spinoff for Velodyne, but they're still Velodyne. Not sure what the purpose is for that but it's interesting. The prices look attractive on the Audioholics store.

I keep forgetting ":lol:" doesn't work here. Only forum that doesn't have the goofy laughing face.

i think velodyne is going the HTR : RX-V route ...
mass market models via Chrysalis and the current models via Velodyne

 

[Sheep]

I want to know if they're strictly rebadged or if they're different models. Seems like it's a new model line/brand spinoff for Velodyne, but they're still Velodyne. Not sure what the purpose is for that but it's interesting. The prices look attractive on the Audioholics store.

I keep forgetting ":lol:" doesn't work here. Only forum that doesn't have the goofy laughing face.

Photon = SPL/SPLII/SPLR/MiniVee
BassMatrix = DSLR/CHTR
Starfire = VRP

SheepStar

 

[cwall99]

So, I'm fickle...

I've been looking at these Chrysalis subs, and, like I said earlier, the price is tough to beat.

And then I finally went and started taking a look at SVS' web site, and they have one sub there that's pretty close, price-wise, to these Chrysalis subs, but looks like it may outperform them in a pretty substantial way, the PB10-NSD.

It has a lot of nifty stuff going for it, in its spec sheet, and all the tech reviews I've looked at, and its totally burly construction, but, and while this may get me labeled as overly chauvinistic, it's designed and built right here in the midwest (I'm from Detroit). In Ohio, to be specific. That it can be built to, what appears to pretty high standards at a great price, and that I can help out someone else in the Rust Belt, makes me really inclined to get me one.

 

[zumbo]

I've been looking at these Chrysalis subs, and, like I said earlier, the price is tough to beat.

And then I finally went and started taking a look at SVS' web site, and they have one sub there that's pretty close, price-wise, to these Chrysalis subs, but looks like it may outperform them in a pretty substantial way, the PB10-NSD.

It has a lot of nifty stuff going for it, in its spec sheet, and all the tech reviews I've looked at, and its totally burly construction, but, and while this may get me labeled as overly chauvinistic, it's designed and built right here in the midwest (I'm from Detroit). In Ohio, to be specific. That it can be built to, what appears to pretty high standards at a great price, and that I can help out someone else in the Rust Belt, makes me really inclined to get me one.

Get both. Return the one you like the least, and report back here. Do it today!

 

[cwall99]

Hahahaha!!! That's funny

Get both. Return the one you like the least, and report back here. Do it today!

Zumbo: that's great. Clearly you've never dealt with my wife (as in, "YOU DID WHAAAATTT????!!!!")

But it's a great idea. But I'm just a big chicken, and don't feel like having to deal with all the unpacking, messing about, re-packing, etc.... I'm just too lazy.

And besides, I'd have to get me another new toy, one of them there fancy Radio Shack analog SPL meters and go crawling around on the floor like a crab doing the subwoofer crawl to find the sweet spot.

It sucks having limits I have to live inside.

 

[Sheep]

Get both. Return the one you like the least, and report back here. Do it today!

I'm going to save you a lot of time, and frustration.

Get the SVS. Even the expensive Chrysalis subs won't hold a candle to it.

SheepStar

 

[croseiv]

If you get the Chrysalis, you'll always wonder about the SVS. Take it from us, SVS is the way to go.... That Chrysalis seems like a nice sub though. Bluesmoke has the SVS PB10-NSD and wrote up a nice little review of it in the reveiws section.

 

[cwall99]

Great. I'll go take a look. Thanks for the tip.

 

[AverageJoe]

Out of curiousity, I borrowed one of the Chrysalis subs to try out for awhile. If anyone is interested, I posted my impressions in the "Write Your Own Review" section.

 

[alphaiii]

Photon = SPL/SPLII/SPLR/MiniVee
BassMatrix = DSLR/CHTR
Starfire = VRP

SheepStar

I believe
Chrysalis Starfire = Velodyne Impact

Specs are identical.