How to subwoofer a huge room? SVS? eD?

[shultzmeister]

I have a problem that I’m sure quite a few people have. I have a "great room" with over 8K sq ft. (and opens to a hallway and a staircase, so that would add another 2K if you threw that in). I am a home theater enthusiast and have 7.1 system set up, but currently have a 10 year old Klipsh "12 subwoofer that is struggling.

After tons of forum research. What I've found so far:
- Need huge subwoofer to even make a dent in this room
- Craigsub seem to be the most reliable/definitive/easy to interpret comparison of Subs (thought I don't think it is updated any longer)
- Craigsub would tell me that I need to look at the larger offerings from SVS, EPIK and Elemental Designs
- The SVS PC13-Ultra = SVS Pb13Ultra (which is ranked on Craigssub) sound and power wise
- eD P7-650 is highly touted by the eD forum moderator, but has not been ranked by craigsub or any other outside entity. eD’s Craigsub ranked offering (A7-900) have much bigger woofers than the P7-650, so I don't really know how to compare it to the SVS offerings.
- if you go duel subwoofer, it seems that you to locate the 2 subwoofers right next to each other to get the full effect.

Most of the eD and Epik choices are as big as refrigerators. Forget about WAF, the normal person acceptance factor is low.

The smaller footprint of SVS-PC13 is appealing. The eD P7-650 seems about the same size as 2 x SVS. The eD seems to run off one amp for both speakers, so it would guess it is weaker than 2 x PC13s, but also $800 cheaper than 2 x PC13s.

I'm willing to spend 2-3K if i can get some serious base. Is it even worth it with my huge room? Is it better to co-locate or separate dual subwoofering in a huge room? What do people think about PC13, 2 x PC13, P7-650?

Jonathan

Paradigm Studio 100
Paradigm Studio CC-690
Denon 3808
Rotel RB-985
4 random in-ceiling surrounds

 

[croseiv]

Honestly, you are going to need a big, powerful sub, and maybe even duals to get decent output. The first subs that come to mind are the Epik Conquest or eD A7-900...But even in that sized room, those may be smallish. Or dual Ultras. Another possiblity is the Seaton Submersive.

 

[MatthewB.]

A room that size, i would recommend two PB13's or if your handy with could build yourself an Infinite Baffle sub with multiple drivers. Although you could stack the subs, i think you will get better results by placing the subs on opposite sides of the room to help with null voids and give you a more immersive sense of deep bass. Stacking just gives you a (edited 6db) increase (something that can be done by adjusting the gain) hence why placing on opposite sides may be better.

 

[avaserfi]

How handy are you or do you know a cabinet maker? You could easily build a subwoofer that would do the job in the situation for under 2k.

Stacking just gives you a 3db increase (something that can be done by adjusting the gain) hence why placing on opposite sides may be better.

Stacking results in a 6dB increase in output. Cross room placement will result in a 3dB output.

 

[Matt34]

Build four ported Mal 18" or two LMS 18" in ported enclosures for the best bang for your.

 

[MatthewB.]

How handy are you or do you know a cabinet maker? You could easily build a subwoofer that would do the job in the situation for under 2k.



Stacking results in a 6dB increase in output. Cross room placement will result in a 3dB output.

You sir are correct, my mind gets jumbled at this time of day.

 

[ParadigmDawg]

DIY all the way.

I have a 8,000 cubic ft room and use one sealed DIY and it does a pretty dang good job. 2 would be awesome or a larger ported sub is likely to get you close to what you need.

 

[MidnightSensi]

I'm not sure on the cost, but rmk has had good experiences with Danley Soundlab's THSPUD, which is a tapped horn dual 8" subwoofer with impressive output. Works best in pairs or quads like most horn loaded subwoofers, a pair of these with a good amplifier would probably do the job, but if your worried about size they are big... but the dimensions allow them to be a raised floor:

http://www.danleysoundlabs.com/tapped_horn.asp?MODEL=TH SPUD

*edit* Passive are $2225 each, shmuck price, probably negiotiable in this economy.

 

[Matt34]

...Or maybe one of Seaton's terraforms?

 

[Dizastical]

My living room is 20x16 with a 16' cathedral ceiling. The back of the room opens up into the kitchen which is another 16x16. There is also a balcony above the living room area that opens up another 8x16 of hallway space. I have two SVS PC12NSD subs that I had to do alot of tuning with a SMS-1. The outcome was outstanding! I have more than enough bass to fit my needs. My couch is 12 feet away from the front soundstage and you can feel the bass pound right through you. But before I added the second SVS sub the room was really lacking in bass response. My sweet spot was lame. It really came alive once I added the second sub. To top it all off the SMS-1 is what really made the room come alive! Just something to think about. These subs are great for the money.

Dave

 

[GlocksRock]

My vote is for dual ultras. I like elemental designs car subwoofers, but their home theater line doesn't really appeal to me that much, but I'm sure it sounds good.

 

[tedhontz]

Don't get the eD!

I made the worst decision to buy an eD Elemental Designs subwoofer. It caught on fire and was replaced with a defective fingerprinted amp and it hasn't worked since and they refuse to resolve the issue. I am filing suit. If you would like pictures of the chair broiled amp I can send them to anyone out there! Better make sure you have good homeowners insurance!

 

[Chopin_Guy]

In a room that size, if you don't mind the look of something that is geared to a more pro application I would go with one of the Danley Sound Labs TH-50 units...I know the DTS-20 was suggested earlier in this thread but the TH-50 will better it in output and can match in extension with proper EQ....

A proper set-up with this unit will put you a little over $3k, as you will need to buy an amplifier with ample headroom to allow for the EQ that you will add for flat response -- you will likely need a powerful Crown or I believe Behringer just came out with an amp more powerful than their EP2500 in bridged mode. And you will also need a Behringer DCX-2496 to apply the proper crossover slope and to EQ as well...

One of these units properly calibrated and EQ'ed with a powerful amp -- will have no problems tearing your room down...

 

[lsiberian]

In a room that size, if you don't mind the look of something that is geared to a more pro application I would go with one of the Danley Sound Labs TH-50 units...I know the DTS-20 was suggested earlier in this thread but the TH-50 will better it in output and can match in extension with proper EQ....

A proper set-up with this unit will put you a little over $3k, as you will need to buy an amplifier with ample headroom to allow for the EQ that you will add for flat response -- you will likely need a powerful Crown or I believe Behringer just came out with an amp more powerful than their EP2500 in bridged mode. And you will also need a Behringer DCX-2496 to apply the proper crossover slope and to EQ as well...

One of these units properly calibrated and EQ'ed with a powerful amp -- will have no problems tearing your room down...

Old thread bud. some newbie just tagged on it to complain.

 

[lsiberian]

I made the worst decision to buy an eD Elemental Designs subwoofer. It caught on fire and was replaced with a defective fingerprinted amp and it hasn't worked since and they refuse to resolve the issue. I am filing suit. If you would like pictures of the chair broiled amp I can send them to anyone out there! Better make sure you have good homeowners insurance!

You can always fix it yourself. A lawsuit will probably cost more in legal fees than it's worth.

 

[Warpdrv]

Don't forget about Infinite Baffle

If you have open area to an attic or something similar, you can hide the drivers and have a extreme amount of great quality bass for a huge room like this..

This is Penngray's IB
http://www.penngray.com/house/AV project/completed_IB_Array2.JPG
Another setup
http://s8.photobucket.com/albums/a21/Todzilla7/Infinite Baffle Subwoofer/

Others to be found here at the Cult of the Infinitely Baffled site...

I have as large a space as you, and I'm running 3x18" + 1x15" sealed subs.
That is what it takes for me, I like lots of good clean bass...

 

[Soundman]

...To top it all off the SMS-1 is what really made the room come alive!...
Dave

I wonder how it compares to this one? : http://www.svsound.com/products-parts-subeq.cfm