Rythmik FV12R / Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus / HSU VTF-2 MK4

BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
I'm needing some help on making the best decision on purchasing my new subwoofer for my bedroom. I'm very cautious about the spending a large amount of money without actually hearing the subwoofer first. So I'm looking for people thoughts and suggestions. Now my top 3 I'm considering after doing a little bit a research last few days are the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, HSU VTF-2 MK4 or Rythmik FV12R that will come out next week. My main listening habits are movies and lots of call of duty Black Ops 2 and of course everyday DIRECTV. My room size is 17ft x 14ft x 10ft. Now which one of these will give me the best punch and cleanness I'm looking for to bring my call of duty experience to life??


1) Rythmik FV12R -- free shipping $549.00

2) HSU VTF-2 MK4 -- with shipping is $596.00

3) Outlaw LFM-1 Plus -- with shipping is $629.00
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
I'm needing some help on making the best decision on purchasing my new subwoofer for my bedroom. I'm very cautious about the spending a large amount of money without actually hearing the subwoofer first. So I'm looking for people thoughts and suggestions. Now my top 3 I'm considering after doing a little bit a research last few days are the Outlaw Audio LFM-1 Plus, HSU VTF-2 MK4 or Rythmik FV12R that will come out next week. My main listening habits are movies and lots of call of duty Black Ops 2 and of course everyday DIRECTV. My room size is 17ft x 14ft x 10ft. Now which one of these will give me the best punch and cleanness I'm looking for to bring my call of duty experience to life??


1) Rythmik FV12R -- free shipping $549.00

2) HSU VTF-2 MK4 -- with shipping is $596.00

3) Outlaw LFM-1 Plus -- with shipping is $629.00
I can't comment on the Rythmik or the HSU, since I've never heard them (although it's been said that the Outlaw LFM-1 EX is very similiar to the VTF-2/3's), but I have an Outlaw LFM-1 EX. I think the EX is an awesome sub and tremendous value for the money, not that the HSU and the Rythmik aren't. You're room is about the same cu ft as mine and I can say that the EX easily fills it with bass. I'm not sure how much you're really giving up, since most of the specs are pretty similar. The biggest difference between the two appears to be weight (30ish lbs) which is probably cabinet and driver. Hopefully you can get some info on the other two, but I have no problem recommending Outlaw. Cheers.
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
Since you're not getting much more, I'd say go with the HSU's. They'll offer very similar performance to the Outlaw and the HSU are cheaper.
 
R

rnatalli

Audioholic Ninja
I'd go with the Rythmik myself. It's a beast and incredibly musical. However, you can't really go wrong with any of these options.
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
You know I was doing some reading on the XS 15 and people seem to really like it . Would that sub be okay for my room size?? I don't mind spending the extra money for that sub.

As of right now I'm leaning towards going with the Rythmik LV12R when it comes out next week for 549.00 and free shipping. Is it really worth the extra money to upgrade to the XS15?
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
You know I was doing some reading on the XS 15 and people seem to really like it . Would that sub be okay for my room size?? I don't mind spending the extra money for that sub.

As of right now I'm leaning towards going with the Rythmik LV12R when it comes out next week for 549.00 and free shipping. Is it really worth the extra money to upgrade to the XS15?
Out the avilabilities, if it was me, I'd go with the PSA XS15. It gets awesome reviews, they give CEA data and its got built by two ex SVS guys.
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
I just don't know how I feel about the finish on PSA XS15. Just looks like some ugly plastic material. I know what you mean by great reviews tho. I'm strongly considering buying it right now. What's the biggest difference in bass quality from a 12 to 15? Because I'm looking for a subwoofer that's good for action movies and call of duty.
 
S

shadyJ

Speaker of the House
Staff member
The PSA sub will have a lot more output than the Rythmik above the Rythmik's tuning point, but I would guess the Rythmik would have more output in the 20 hz range. If I were going with PSA I would just spend the extra $50 and get the XV15, that you you get massive bass all the way down to 16 hz.
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
Your definitely right XV15.. That's the one I was reading all the good reviews on. Please tell me it looks better in person that does online though. Lol
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
Personally I like sealed over vented, to each his own :)

The finish is a textured black paint. Not quite as plasticky as some pro finishes, but looks like a not unpleasant matte color. Another guy on here has a couple PSA subs and he doesn't mind the finish YMMV.
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
Let me run this idea by you. What about if I went dual Rythmik's LV12R or just one XV15?
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
Let me run this idea by you. What about if I went dual Rythmik's LV12R or just one XV15?
Dual subs are are a great idea since you increase output by about 1.5 db if they are placed in different locations and you gain the ability to help smooth FR response, which is always a plus and is arguably the most important for the bass region. However, you should definitely have EQ if you're going to have dual subs. Audyssey offers the simplest way to do this if you purchase a receiver with audyssey subeq, which is not the same as XT32.

You can also purchase something after-market as well. The only one I know that is somewhat reasonably priced and also simple is probably something from DSPeaker like the anti-mode.
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
I think I'm kind of confused by all that. If it helps I have a Maranz 5006 as my receiver.
 
fuzz092888

fuzz092888

Audioholic Warlord
I think I'm kind of confused by all that. If it helps I have a Maranz 5006 as my receiver.
Ok, let's try it this way. Speakers and subwoofers produce sound waves which is what our ears pick up and translates into sound. These different sound waves are measured as different frequencies. Each driver on a speaker is responsible for different frequencies, but they usually can't reproduce the bass frequencies with enough depth or loudly enough to be satisfying, unless you're paying quite a bit of money, which is why we need subwoofers.

Now the room you place your speakers and subwoofers interacts with these sound waves, especially in the bass region which is why we need things like audyssey or other pieces of equipment to manipulate the frequency response of the speakers and subwoofers to maintain as flat a frequency response as possible (flatter frequency response = more accurate sound). Most commercial room correction offerings are not meant to handle more than one subwoofer, except audyssey subeq and possibly trinnov AFAIK.

Your Marantz has a version of audyssey that is only meant for a single subwoofer, so if you have two, it will do an adequate job of implementing room correction and equalization, but not as well as some of the other things I've mentioned.

Does that help at all?
 
BigJoeXXL

BigJoeXXL

Audioholic Intern
Okay I got it thanks for explaining that. Sounds like I'll be best off with the PSA XS15. I just need to figure out if I want to spend the extra 250 dollars.


PSA XV15 -- 799.00

Rythmik LV12R -- 549.00
 
L

Lordhumungus

Audioholic
Okay I got it thanks for explaining that. Sounds like I'll be best off with the PSA XS15. I just need to figure out if I want to spend the extra 250 dollars.


PSA XV15 -- 799.00

Rythmik LV12R -- 549.00
Looks like PSA also has a few of the subs you are interested in in their Outlet Center as B-stock for ~$40 less. If the defects are minor, it may be worth the savings.
 
theJman

theJman

Audioholic Chief
Let me run this idea by you. What about if I went dual Rythmik's LV12R or just one XV15?
Until the Rythmik is available there's really no way anyone can do more then speculate, so if that one is high on your list you might want to wait until there's some real world information on it. PSA has sold a ton of subs though, so there are a lot of owners who can give you first hand info on those.
 

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