Sub advice: my trusty Velodyne HGS-18 died

[Gussboy]

Well my trusty 12 yr old Velodyne HGS-18 has recently died on me and I am looking for a replacement. My newer dedicated media room is only a 1400 CU FT (14'x11'x9') room so I am thinking that I just do not need a new sub as large as the HGS-18 I had prior. My primary listening is for movies and I do not listen to music at all in this room. I love heavy bass soundtracks and watch alot of action movies.

Budget is $2,000 max but I would like to stay well under this if possible. So far the SVS SB13-Ultra has caught my attention and am wondering what else I should consider given my budget and room specs. Would the SB13-Ultra feel like a downgrade from my older 18" Velodyne?


For reference the rest of my HT gear is as follows:

Velodyne HGS-18 (dead subwoofer)
Frequency Response: 15Hz - 120Hz
Woofer: 18"
Amp: Class D, 1250 watts RMS, 3000 watts peak

AV RECEIVER: Denon 3808 CI
Power output: 130 WPC / 7-channel

SPEAKERS:
Martin Logan Scripts (fronts)
Frequency Response: 70–20,000 Hz

Martin Logan Theater (center)
Frequency Response: 70–22,000 Hz

Polk Audio (surround rears)

 

[ImcLoud]

If i had a $2000 budget I would go with
VTF-15H DualDrive Package

Or if I felt like building something I would go with
2- Dayton Audio 15" Ultimax Subwoofer and Cabinet Package 300-7097
and power them with a crown xls 2500, by the time you buy all the stuff you need, like spike feet, fill, paint, glue you will probably be under $1000 and have a hard time beating them for twice that...

I have all the materials to do mine minus the amp, but Im having mine veneered so Im waiting for the veneer to come from brazil {don't ask}...

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

For HT use and this budget and room size pair of PC12-nsd should be more than enough
and if you feel building I'd recommend this monster:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/diy-corner-tips-techniques/86486-sealed-18-dayton-rss460ho-4-4-cu-ft-kit-best-thing-since-sliced-bread.html

VTF-15H is great sub, but I would never EVER call it compact by any means - it's huge !

 

[ImcLoud]

For HT use and this budget and room size pair of PC12-nsd should be more than enough
and if you feel building I'd recommend this monster:
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/diy-corner-tips-techniques/86486-sealed-18-dayton-rss460ho-4-4-cu-ft-kit-best-thing-since-sliced-bread.html

VTF-15H is great sub, but I would never EVER call it compact by any means - it's huge !

Yeah, they definitely aren't small but make a ton of bass.. I was just stating what I would do, actually I would probably go with the uls15 dual drive for a little more money... But I have a vtf2 in a room larger than the op's and it is more than enough... so for aruond $600 Im sure the VTF2 would make him happy... But why not go with as much as you can afford

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

dual uls-15 - now that's a sweet combo !

 

[theJman]

Budget is $2,000 max but I would like to stay well under this if possible. So far the SVS SB13-Ultra has caught my attention and am wondering what else I should consider given my budget and room specs. Would the SB13-Ultra feel like a downgrade from my older 18" Velodyne?

It's not reasonable to assume a unit with a 13.5" driver will be able to effectively compete with one that had an 18" driver, especially when the latter was well regarded. The SB13 Ultra is a very nice subwoofer, and you would probably be quite pleased with it, but some performance variation is to be expected.

Along with the units mentioned thus far a few others to consider are the Rythmik F15HP and FV15HP, which I suspect would give the Velodyne a run for it's money (if not exceed it's capabilities). Another potential option is the PowerSound Audio XS30. That one would surely exceed the Velodyne.

 

[16hz lover]

If you DIY, the Stereo Integrity 18" has more displacement than the Dayton and displacement is what subwoofers are all about.

 

[shadyJ]

It doesn't have a lot more displacement. Both drivers have been measured, the Dayton is very close in performance. Dayton here and SI here.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

It doesn't have a lot more displacement. Both drivers have been measured, the Dayton is very close in performance. Dayton here and SI here.

you beat me to it, I was about to say same thing. It look like SI has a bit higher output, but at expense of higher THD

 

[Jeff R.]

Problem with SI is that they are always sold out of their subs......I waited 4 + months for them to get them back in stock......I eventually gave up and I ordered a pair of the 15" ultimax diy setups that I am currently working on.