Rythmik FV15HP vs. Power Sound XV15

[SnowmaNick]

I agree with Jeff. I'm a big fan of dual subs when it is possible. Dual LFM's will give you solid output and extension, the ability to smooth the FR across multiple seats, and doesn't seem to require you meeting some guy in a back alley a hundred miles away.

 

[Steve81]

and doesn't seem to require you meeting some guy in a back alley a hundred miles away.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

And yes, dual LFM-EXs would kick serious butt.

 

[hjustin]

Let's pretend for a moment that I opted for a two subwoofer solution. My existing Paradigm PS-1000 is parked in the front corner of my room, to the left of the TV. Where would I put a second subwoofer?

 

[raynist]

In that open right corner to the right of the couch/table?

 

[Steve81]

Where would I put a second subwoofer?

A good start is usually centered on opposing walls; however, due to differences among rooms, YMMV.

 

[-TWISM-]

I just went through this process. I was debating on duals from HSU, Rythimk and PSA. From the data I found the Rythimk is the better sub from the list, but it's also the most expensive. I decided I didn't want to sit at home and wonder...what if...

So I placed and order for Dual FV15HPs and they are set to arrive tomorrow.

 

[hjustin]

I just went through this process. I was debating on duals from HSU, Rythimk and PSA. From the data I found the Rythimk is the better sub from the list, but it's also the most expensive. I decided I didn't want to sit at home and wonder...what if...

So I placed and order for Dual FV15HPs and they are set to arrive tomorrow.

Awesome! I hope your house doesn't explode with bassy low-end madness.

Todd at Power Sound said I would be very happy with just one of their XV15s. And if I bought the Rythmik, I would probably one buy just the one. Dual Outlaws would be cool, too, but getting one on the right side of the room is a challenge because the coaxial cable would have to pass through one of two open doorways. Unless I make an attic run.

 

[Jeff R.]

You can go wireless for cheap.....

Or just put them flanking each of your Left and Right front speakers....that has always worked for me in my setup.

 

[billy p]

Awesome! I hope your house doesn't explode with bassy low-end madness.

Todd at Power Sound said I would be very happy with just one of their XV15s. And if I bought the Rythmik, I would probably one buy just the one. Dual Outlaws would be cool, too, but getting one on the right side of the room is a challenge because the coaxial cable would have to pass through one of two open doorways. Unless I make an attic run.

Gotta love CS in which they don't try and over sell you...sounds like he(Todd) gave you some sound advice that only 1 XV15 would suffice in your situation...

 

[-TWISM-]

I will admit, I had a tough time not going with PSA as the CS I received was excellent. I emailed with Tom back and forth and he was even honest in saying the FV15HP would give me more output. The other sticking point I had was I just didn't like the look of the PSA subs, I don't like the base the sub sits on. Personal preference.

I will be looking at PSA in the near future for a sub for my wifes room.

 

[hjustin]

I explained to Todd that I was looking at a few competitors' products and he told me that no matter what I ended up buying, if I need any help with setup and calibration to let him know.

For that reason, I'm strongly compelled to give him my business. If PSA can sustain that level of customer service and their product offering is strong (which from my novice perspective, it is) they're going to be hugely successful. And I'm really glad about that.

 

[mike c]

any of the subs in this thread should outclass that paradigm sub by a mile.

you can try it, but i'm betting that the paradigm would only be detrimental to the overall sound.

 

[raynist]

I explained to Todd that I was looking at a few competitors' products and he told me that no matter what I ended up buying, if I need any help with setup and calibration to let him know.

For that reason, I'm strongly compelled to give him my business. If PSA can sustain that level of customer service and their product offering is strong (which from my novice perspective, it is) they're going to be hugely successful. And I'm really glad about that.

I am pretty sure you were talking to Tom (not Todd) Vodhanel, one of the owners.

 

[hjustin]

I am pretty sure you were talking to Tom (not Todd) Vodhanel, one of the owners.

Yep, meant Tom.

 

[hjustin]

any of the subs in this thread should outclass that paradigm sub by a mile.

you can try it, but i'm betting that the paradigm would only be detrimental to the overall sound.

Paradigm is already sold when I'm done with it.

 

[-TWISM-]

My day ended well...

 

[hjustin]

My day ended well...

Wow....

 

[Gorilla83]

You really can't go wrong with either sub. The rythmik will have substantially more output, no doubt. If price is a major consideration, one could pick up almost two XV15's for the price of the rythmik though. I believe Tom discounts something like 5% for purchasing a pair so something to consider.

I've heard the FV15HP at my house during a recent GTG and I loved every minute of it. I've also heard the sealed PSA15 and it sounded great as well. Tom is a really cool guy to deal with. If it were my money and the price was close, I'd opt for the twins merely for the multiple sub advantages that are inherently present in that situation.

 

[hjustin]

You really can't go wrong with either sub. The rythmik will have substantially more output, no doubt. If price is a major consideration, one could pick up almost two XV15's for the price of the rythmik though. I believe Tom discounts something like 5% for purchasing a pair so something to consider.

I've heard the FV15HP at my house during a recent GTG and I loved every minute of it. I've also heard the sealed PSA15 and it sounded great as well. Tom is a really cool guy to deal with. If it were my money and the price was close, I'd opt for the twins merely for the multiple sub advantages that are inherently present in that situation.

I could have ordered an XV15 today but didnt. I think I'm going to hold out until I can audition something locally. Because I'm mental, I worry that I will regret the purchase if it isn't substantially better than my cheap Paradigm sub. I have no doubt it will be better...but $800 better? Don't know.

I asked the guy with the Rythmik sub if I could hear it before buying it and he has yet to respond. I'm not giving him almost $1000 for a piece of home audio equipment without confirming that it works at all before doing so. I don't think that's unreasonable.

I've also been scouring local possibilities for something of good quality that is used but all I've turned up is an HSU VTF-2 for $300. Not sure which version...waiting to hear back. Also waiting to hear back on the pair of Outlaw LFM-1 EXes.

I'm starting to get kinda tired of this whole process and I'm sure most of you are tired of hearing me go on and on about it. I know: just buy something and enjoy it. Like I said, I'm mental.

 

[Steve81]

I have no doubt it will be better...but $800 better? Don't know.

FWIW, I can sympathize. It's hard to look at numbers on a paper (or computer monitor) and figure out how much better something will be. The only perspective I can give is this: as mentioned, each 6dB increase equates to a doubling of acoustic pressure. At the lower frequencies where a subwoofer is operating, we're talking about sound we can feel as well as hear. So if your current subwoofer is like a twenty pound plate on your chest, assuming Tom's expectation of 4X-6X the output in the deep bass is correct (and he's unlikely to be full of it; there were measurements at AV talk on your PS1000, but the images with the data seem to be gone now), then you'd be looking at an eighty to hundred and twenty pound plate on your chest by comparison with the XV-15.

In any case, go listen to what you can! I'd recommend perhaps trying to listen to something that Josh Ricci has already measured so you can try to correlate that with your perceptions.