15" too big for music?

[KEW]

I have been scanning reviews in an attempt to make a smart purchase and came across a review in "Secrets of Home Theatre and High Fidelity" of the Cadence CSX-15 Subwoofer by Richard Stevens. On page 3 he says:
"I’ll be honest, a 15” woofer wouldn’t be my first choice for music, especially on fast
paced material that requires a certain amount of agility."
Is he saying that a smaller speaker (with less mass) would be better because it could be more nimble?
TIA,
Kurt

PS - Sorry, I would have just linked to the article, but I need to get a few more posts under my belt before I can!

 

[jamie2112]

I myself like 12" subs. They usally sound much better with music. If you are going for HT sound then sure a 15 will do fine. If you are a music listener go with a 12".........

 

[KEW]

Post #3
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[KEW]

Post #4
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[KEW]

Post #5!
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[KEW]

OK, That is done!
Here is the link:
http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/subwoofers-products-menu-column1-41/607-cadence-csx-15-.html?start=2

3rd paragraph.
Thanks!

 

[WmAx]

If the cabinet is designed properly, the 15" driver (assuming a very high quality unit) will perform as well as a 10" for music.

If you are so worried, use 12" JL W7 driver(s). These will output more SPL than the typical 15" driver, and with top SQ.

-Chris

 

[KEW]

Chris,
I'm a noob and just wanted to make sure I understood what the guy was saying in this article.
What is SQ?

Thanks,
Kurt

 

[KEW]

I myself like 12" subs. They usally sound much better with music. If you are going for HT sound then sure a 15 will do fine. If you are a music listener go with a 12".........

No HT, music only.
Can you recommend some in the 400-600 price range?

 

[Chopin_Guy]

SQ = Sound Quality

Look at SVS, HSU, and Dayton has DIY kits through partsexpress.com

 

[WmAx]

DIY will yield higher performance; but I would not go with the Dayton kits if sealed is what you want. You can get much higher performance driver for DIY that are much more suited to sealed applications.

-Chris

 

[mtrycrafts]

... "I’ll be honest, a 15” woofer wouldn’t be my first choice for music, especially on fast
paced material that requires a certain amount of agility."
...

Well, just from that, the reviewer has graduated as knowing nothing, no clue; he needs a refund.

A number of years ago I read an interview with John Eargle, the chief recording engineer at Delos. He may still be there. He took the digital masters home after a session to try them on his system He used the JBL 18" sub of the time, along with the Ti250 speakers.

You may also want to read the sticky 'Myths about subs'
and the link in the first post
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=35455

This will certify the reviewer as wanting for a clue.
The size of the sub doesn't have anything to do with its ability to respond properly to the low frequency band, be it music or an explosion

 

[KEW]

DIY will yield higher performance; but I would not go with the Dayton kits if sealed is what you want. You can get much higher performance driver for DIY that are much more suited to sealed applications.

-Chris

LOL, I have no idea if I want sealed. Did you make an inference? Is sealed better for music?

Right now, I'm looking hard at the Hsu STF-2. It is not sealed. The review I read seemed to indicate it was very good for music and it's weakness became apparent with loud LFE material (which is a non issue for me).

Thanks!

 

[WmAx]

LOL, I have no idea if I want sealed. Did you make an inference? Is sealed better for music?

Right now, I'm looking hard at the Hsu STF-2. It is not sealed. The review I read seemed to indicate it was very good for music and it's weakness became apparent with loud LFE material (which is a non issue for me).

Thanks!

Yeah, hmm. That sub is not anywhere near the performance levels I usually recommend.

As for sealed; it's easier to do for most people, as you can buy a pre-fabbed box that is finished except for the hole you need to cut to install the driver of your choice. This lets you get much higher performance for the money by choosing the right driver, amp and crossover/processor. I typically help people with all parts of the selection process if they are interested in this route.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Look at that Paradigm being sold for 300 on our forum classifieds. That's a great deal. Speakerman is a very beloved member here. He's very trustworthy and an audiophile. IOTW if you buy something he's used you will be making a wise choice IMO.

 

[shadyJ]

I have a STF2, it is a excellent subwoofer. I wouldn't use it in a large room, but for its rated room size it is superb, especially for the price. I used it for more kick in drum and bass music, so I really used it, but it is excellent for more delicate material as well. There are better 10' subs for music out there but not for the price (I'm thinking of the Outlaw Audio ECS10 and the JL Audio F110). The only comparable sub is the LFM-1 compact from Outlaw Audio, but it is also a HSU design, and I doubt it is substantially better.

 

[KEW]

Look at that Paradigm being sold for 300 on our forum classifieds. That's a great deal. Speakerman is a very beloved member here. He's very trustworthy and an audiophile. IOTW if you buy something he's used you will be making a wise choice IMO.

Looks like I missed out on that one, but thanks!

 

[KEW]

Yeah, hmm. That sub is not anywhere near the performance levels I usually recommend.

As for sealed; it's easier to do for most people, as you can buy a pre-fabbed box that is finished except for the hole you need to cut to install the driver of your choice. This lets you get much higher performance for the money by choosing the right driver, amp and crossover/processor. I typically help people with all parts of the selection process if they are interested in this route.

-Chris

I'm not sure I understand your offer re the selection process.
If I am talking $400 total cost (with shipping), do you have an option which would beat performance of the Hsu STF-2 for listening to music at medium sound levels?
I see all of these $1000+ subs and know I'm pretty much a "bottom feeder" when it comes to budget. Is DIY a good option at my price point?

 

[lsiberian]

I'm not sure I understand your offer re the selection process.
If I am talking $400 total cost (with shipping), do you have an option which would beat performance of the Hsu STF-2 for listening to music at medium sound levels?
I see all of these $1000+ subs and know I'm pretty much a "bottom feeder" when it comes to budget. Is DIY a good option at my price point?

400 is a tight budget for DIY, but it can be done.

But in your case I'd get a decent driver, a 300w P-E bash amp. and build a small sealed cabinet or get one of these

http://www.deepsurplus.com/Speaker-Parts-Amplifier-Building-DIY-Audio/Empty-Sub-Woofer-Cabinets-For-DIY-Speaker-Building

Get one of those cabinets.

Get a single sheet of this
http://www.atsacoustics.com/item--Roxul-Rockboard-60--RB60-S.html

Then when you get the cabinet get some 1" x 4" cut at home depot glue them inside the cabinet with titebond original.

You will want to sand the spots where you plan to glue.

I'd just use a Shiva-X, but that may end up pushing this over your budget.

The shiva is 185 bucks

Cabinet is 88 bucks

amp should be 100 bucks.

The rockwool is around 15 bucks.(you might be able to source this locally.

It around 280 plus any of the other costs you incurr. Not a bad deal IMO.

This sub will outperform any commercial sub that cost 400 bucks.

 

[WmAx]

It's too bad that LMS driver from Eclipse that was so well priced and suited to sealed is no longer available. Much better option for absolute SQ than the Shiva-X for the sealed application.

-Chris