Sub help for a dynamic situation. Rythmik vs SVS vs Outlaw

[hoffusmc_09]

I have been in the market for a new subwoofer for a while and have been doing quite a bit of research trying to make a decision and have been slowly compiling and narrowing down a list.

The upper end of my budget is about $800. I am looking for an articulate, tight sub for music that still has good output and such that can provide the tactile and visceral sensations needed to make it suitable for home theatre. Music may have a very slight edge over home theater in terms of importance to me.

It would be paired with my Paradigm Studio 60 v5's and would be replacing a very entry level Klipsch KW-100 sub.

Will be used for about 50% music, 50% home theater

At some point I would consider going duals, but it probably won't be for quite a while because I also need to upgrade receivers and add a center channel.

The room it will be used in will be changing in the next few weeks as I am changing duty stations and do not have a house picked out yet at the new place. Additionally, I will be moving yet again in another 7-8 months, so the room is a very fluid situation at this point in time.

I would just wait until I move in the next couple weeks to make a decision (and still may), but a few things may move the time table up. I would be able to pick up the Rythmik sub on my drive to my new duty station and avoid shipping costs and I also just received an e-mail from Outlaw saying they are running a special on the LFM 1 EX until Jan 30th for $549 including shipping.

The all inclusive costs for the three subs for me after discounts would be:

-Rythmik F15: $810
-SVS PB12 NSD: $730
-Outlaw LFM 1 EX: $549

-I've considered the HSU VTF3 Mk4 but with the sale the Outlaw just seems like the better value given their similarity.
-I also think that I have crossed Epik off the list because I don't like the idea of how hot the amp runs and have heard a number of people say that their subs are more oriented around output than SQ.
-I've also taken Elemental Designs off the list because I've similarly heard they place an emphasis on output over SQ and I'm not a huge fan of their aesthetics.

I would probably have the chance to audition the Rythmik F15 before I bought it, but I'm not positive if I'll be able to do that before the sale on the Outlaw ends. I am probably leaning slightly towards the Rythmik F15, however, I don't know if it would be solid enough in home theater. The Outlaw seems like the best value, but I don't know if I would be compromising SQ and then the SVS PB 12 sits somewhere in the middle.

Thanks for reading my long winded post and any thoughts, opinions and recommendations would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[Nuance AH]

Out of those three options I'd nix the Outlaw and have a hard time deciding between the Rythmik and SVS. There is no replacement for displacement, but that SVS 12 incher can crank out some great output for its size. However, what are your room dimensions? Also, do you plan to corner load?

 

[hoffusmc_09]

Thanks for the reply. My room dimensions are still TBD as I am changing duty stations in the next few weeks and then will be moving again in another 7-8 months after that. Corner loading would most likely be an option though.

Also, where in Wisconsin are you from? I'm originally from Slinger which is about 45 min north of Milwaukee or so.

 

[Nuance AH]

Thanks for the reply. My room dimensions are still TBD as I am changing duty stations in the next few weeks and then will be moving again in another 7-8 months after that. Corner loading would most likely be an option though.

Understandable. Well, the performance of the subwoofer will be determined largely by the size and shape of the room. Obviously, the larger the room the larger you'll want the subwoofer (well, actually the more output you'll want).

Also, where in Wisconsin are you from? I'm originally from Slinger which is about 45 min north of Milwaukee or so.

I live in Grafton, about 30 minutes North of downtown Milwaukee. Are you no longer a WI resident?

 

[shadyJ]

I wouldn't be so quick to rule out the Outlaw, it is the db per dollar king. If Gene's comparison is correct, you are getting more output over the common range of bass than the PB12. Wait for a sale, and get two Outlaw LFM-1 Pluses for a hair under 900 shipped, that is what I would do. The Rythmik will be more articulate, and the PB12 will go deeper, but two LFM-1 Pluses will have better room response, no localization, better dynamic range, and less distortion per SPL than the Rythmik or SVS. I think that would be a much more preferable sub setup.

 

[its phillip]

I certainly would not rule out the Outlaw either. I'm a very happy owner of one. At the sale price, it's a great bargain. At normal pricing, I'd more than likely take the SVS. Hard to choose between the PB-12 NSD and the Rythmik F15 though.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

I'm going to do +1 on the great deal LFM-1 EX is and you shouldn't disregard it...
The only issue is if the room size (total, including opening to other rooms) will be over 6-7k sq3 most single subs will struggle to pressurize it at this budget.
So in specific this case I'd recommend dual PA-150 (you should be able to get them $350 shipped/ea) They may not have the lowest extension or best in class linearity, but what they do have is tons of output and if EQ'd they could make the best combination....

Bottom line = don't buy sub(s) until you know where you will be using it

 

[darien87]

First of all thank you for your service Jarhead , (former Army man myself), second I'd vote for the Rythmik. But I'm not the most impartial of judges as I'm a big Rythmik fan.

 

[agarwalro]

From the other thread...

The LFM-1 EX is on sale for $549 shipped until 1/30. Total savings of $190, since it's normally $649 + $90 shipping

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX Powered Subwoofer

 

[Nuance AH]

Wow...I missed the listed price, sorry. Well, for that price get two.

 

[jonnythan]

I'd go with the Rythmik. Sealed + servo = oh yeah.

 

[hoffusmc_09]

Thank you all for your responses and insight! I certainly understand how important tailoring the purchase around the listening environment is, however, from now until at least the next 8 years I will be having to move on a fairly regular basis so the uncertainty will always be a bit unavoidable for the foreseeable future.

In your opinions how much of a gap is there in SQ and tightness between the LFM 1 EX and the F15? PB12 and F15?

Also, how much better is the PB12 for HT (if any) than the F15 and LFM1 EX?

Thanks,
Ryan

 

[hoffusmc_09]

I live in Grafton, about 30 minutes North of downtown Milwaukee. Are you no longer a WI resident?

Oh okay, Grafton is pretty much right next to me. I have a very good friend who actually grew up in Cedarburg. I am still technically a WI resident, but I haven't lived there since I was commissioned in 2009. Since then I've lived in VA, FL, NC and TX. Right now I'm down in Corpus Christi, TX but will be heading back to Pensacola, FL in the next couple weeks.

 

[Nuance AH]

Oh okay, Grafton is pretty much right next to me. I have a very good friend who actually grew up in Cedarburg. I am still technically a WI resident, but I haven't lived there since I was commissioned in 2009. Since then I've lived in VA, FL, NC and TX. Right now I'm down in Corpus Christi, TX but will be heading back to Pensacola, FL in the next couple weeks.

Wow - lots of moving around. Thank you for serving and protecting our country; you're a good man!

I am very partial to the Rythmik; I've heard what it can do in a rather large room, and I was definitely impressed. I also really like their customer service. A friend of mine held a SE WI Subwoofer GTG a few years ago and Bryan from Rythmik sent us a prototype Subwoofer, which was their first ported sub at that time. We were the first non-Rythmik employees to hear it, and it was pretty awesome; and mind you, we were comparing to some true SPL monsters (TC 2000, 3000, LMS 18", XXX, etc). With that said, any of those three subs will probably rock hard; how much is going to depend on lot on the room size. And since you'll be moving around a lot, I will once again vote for the Rythmik, because it's a 15 and will fill very large rooms without issue. Just check out these output results:

It just about matches the SVS PB13 Ultra below 30Hz and outperforms it above that, and at almost half the cost. I'd say that's darn impressive.

 

[hoffusmc_09]

That's pretty awesome that Brian gave you guys the opportunity to be the first one to audition the FV12 when it first came out. I'm sure that shootout was a blast. Customer service and that kind of personal attention certainly goes a long way.

The output on chart is pretty impressive, although I believe that was for the FV15 ported model listed on the chart which unfortunately costs quite a bit more than the F15. It would be interesting to see how the F15 would stack up against the rest of those on the list.

 

[timoteo]

Rythmik's website has a comparison chart. It lists all their subs & shows you the difference between them at 20hz in dBs.

At 20hz the F15 is down 5dBs from the FV15
At 20hz the F15 is down 7dBs from the FV15HP
At 20hz the F15HP is 2dBs higher than the F15

This gives you an idea of the rolloff. You can go to their site & compare their charts for each sub. I know these arent a 3rd party measurement but might getyou in the ballpark in their comparison.