Small Sub for Music - Help

[nogaro]

First time poster here. I'm looking for a small sub to complement my Wharfedale Evo2-8 speakers. This setup will only be used for music - primarily Jazz, Blues, and some classic rock. This is a bedroom (14x14) setup, so I don't need it to go too loud - clean, accurate sound is more important. So far, I have the following 3 subs on my list - any thoughts for or against will be greatly appreciated. Other alternatives are welcome too.

Hsu STF-2
Emotiva Ultra Sub 10
Sunfire HRS-8 (used)

They are all under $400.

Thanks!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

How large is your room and Is it open to other rooms?

 

[nogaro]

Thanks for your quick response. The room is about 14x14 with about a 4' opening to the closets/bathroom area. I expect to place the sub on the far-side of the opening.

 

[its phillip]

Emotiva Ultra Sub 12 for $429, unless that $400 limit is an absolute max.

 

[nogaro]

$400 is not an absolute max and I'd be ok with $429. It'd be great if you could help me understand your reasons for the recommendation (over the Ultra Sub 10, for instance).

 

[its phillip]

It's a much more capable sub than the ultra sub 10 for only $30 more is my reasoning

 

[nogaro]

Good point
Although, I did see that they sell the Ultra Sub 10 for #329-$349 when they have them in stock. Of course, if it doesn't come back in stock anytime soon, it's out of the picture.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I would get the BIC PL-200, which is a 12" subwoofer designed by HSU Research.

Using the code TV15 on sounddistributors.com, the PL-200 is $279 shipped.

I have one in my family room (18' x 20' x 10' ceiling) and this subwoofer rocks!

I bet the BIC H-100 ($220) is almost just as good, if not as good as the PL-200. The H-100 is also a 12" subwoofer designed by HSU, except it has a smaller amp in it.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I would get the BIC PL-200, which is a 12" subwoofer designed by HSU Research.

Using the code TV15 on sounddistributors.com, the PL-200 is $279 shipped.

I have one in my family room (18' x 20' x 10' ceiling) and this subwoofer rocks!

I bet the BIC H-100 ($220) is almost just as good, if not as good as the PL-200. The H-100 is also a 12" subwoofer designed by HSU, except it has a smaller amp in it.

I don't know, BIC PL-200 is a ported sub - how good is it for music?
I think that sealed Emotive 12" would be a better choice for 100% music application.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

I don't know, BIC PL-200 is a ported sub - how good is it for music?
I think that sealed Emotive 12" would be a better choice for 100% music application.

It sounds pretty good to me when I listen to music on the Infinity P362 + BIC PL200.

The bass is tight and powerful.

I think the ported vs. sealed difference in SQ is mainly in theory. In real life, I don't think most people could tell the difference in SQ.

It was designed by HSU, so it's a good subwoofer.

But for $439, I would rather get two of the BIC H100 ($220 ea) than get one Emotiva Sub12.

The H100 is also designed by HSU, almost identical to the PL200.

 

[nogaro]

AcuDefTechGuy - how much distance do you have from the back wall? Do you notice any difference when you place it close to the wall vs away from it? I might need to place it very close to a wall since it's over 20" deep.

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

AcuDefTechGuy - how much distance do you have from the back wall? Do you notice any difference when you place it close to the wall vs away from it? I might need to place it very close to a wall since it's over 20" deep.

I have my PL200 about 2 - 3 inches from the wall.

 

[sholling]

It's a much more capable sub than the ultra sub 10 for only $30 more is my reasoning

+1 it's $30 well spent.

 

[Sylar]

I am on the look out for subs too...where do these subs stand compared to ones like HSU VTF2 MK3 & Rythmik Servo FV12 which are priced around 500$. How much bump in performance can one get with these two?

 

[nogaro]

So far I'm leaning towards the Emotiva Ultra Sub 12 simply because the BIC is too large for my space. I also just came across the SW150 and SW250 from Wharfedale. There are very limited reviews, but what's out there sounds impressive, especially for pairing with my Evo2-8 speakers. My one concern is that they don't go below 35/30 Hz. Is that a problem for a pure music application (jazz, blues but no rap or electronica)?

 

[PharmD]

I am on the look out for subs too...where do these subs stand compared to ones like HSU VTF2 MK3 & Rythmik Servo FV12 which are priced around 500$. How much bump in performance can one get with these two?

Considering the fact that the PL200 & H100 are both designed by HSU, I would say they will be somewhat similar to the VTF2 MK3 & Rythmik FV12.

Of course, you will get slightly better quality & slightly more output from the more expensive units.

But at the same time, I doubt that one of the MK3 or FV12 will output more bass and more evenly than dual H100 subs for $440.

AcuDefTechGuy says a single PL200 ($279) in his 18' x 20' x 10' room has impressive bass output and quality.

It seems to me the only difference is that the PL200 is 250W amp & H100 is 150W amp. Other than that, they are both designed by HSU, and look almost identical physically.

 

[PharmD]

So far I'm leaning towards the Emotiva Ultra Sub 12 simply because the BIC is too large for my space. I also just came across the SW150 and SW250 from Wharfedale. There are very limited reviews, but what's out there sounds impressive, especially for pairing with my Evo2-8 speakers. My one concern is that they don't go below 35/30 Hz. Is that a problem for a pure music application (jazz, blues but no rap or electronica)?

I think most of the bass in music is from 30Hz - 50Hz.

But at the same time I would never buy a so-called "subwoofer" that can't even go below 30Hz.

For one thing, you will always wonder if you are missing out on some sound below 35Hz or 30Hz.

 

[alphaiii]

My vote goes to the Ultra 12 as well...

BTW, I believe the Ultra 10 has been discontinued... I recall reading that at the Emotiva forum somewhere, but can't seem to find it now...

 

[alphaiii]

Considering the fact that the PL200 & H100 are both designed by HSU, I would say they will be somewhat similar to the VTF2 MK3 & Rythmik FV12.

Of course, you will get slightly better quality & slightly more output from the more expensive units.

But at the same time, I doubt that one of the MK3 or FV12 will output more bass and more evenly than dual H100 subs for $440.

AcuDefTechGuy says a single PL200 ($279) in his 18' x 20' x 10' room has impressive bass output and quality.

It seems to me the only difference is that the PL200 is 250W amp & H100 is 150W amp. Other than that, they are both designed by HSU, and look almost identical physically.

Maybe I missed something, but since when did Dr. Hsu have any hand in designing Rythmik subs?

 

[GranteedEV]

Maybe I missed something, but since when did Dr. Hsu have any hand in designing Rythmik subs?

You misread him. Hsu designed two of the BIC subs.

As for sound quality, i think what people need to realize is that different instruments mask sound quality differently. A piano, pipe organ, or some low reaching horn instrument, is not necessarily going to sound the same through different subwoofers, whereas a synth drum might sound unchanged. How sensitive you are to what is different depends largely on what you're listening to.

The other thing that greatly masks sound quality is the room itself. Unless you`ve got +/- 3db IN ROOM tolerance, chances are your room is seriously coloring the recording on the order of +/- 10db type wild tolerance.