15" too big for music?

[rnatalli]

The HSU STF-2 is an incredible value. It's good for both HT and music. Another option which edges it out in musicality is the Aperion 8D. Sealed design, dual 8" drivers, gloss finish, and minimal EQ. It doesn't dig quite as deep as the STF-2, but for music it doesn't matter unless you listen to a lot of pipe organ. It goes for $499 shipped.

 

[j_garcia]

The Cadence is a good sub for the price, especially if you have a large room. Lots of output and decent SQ. I tested it for a few days.

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40757&highlight=csx-15

 

[lsiberian]

It's too bad that LMS driver from Eclipse that was so well priced and suited to sealed is no longer available. Much better option for absolute SQ than the Shiva-X for the sealed application.

-Chris

agreed. It's also too bad that the audiopulse Axis 12" deal is over at parts-express. One of those in a small sealed box from there powered by an EP2500 would be a great sub.

 

[WmAx]

agreed. It's also too bad that the audiopulse Axis 12" deal is over at parts-express. One of those in a small sealed box from there powered by an EP2500 would be a great sub.

If you are willing to feed it enough power, Sound Splinter( www.soundsplinter.com ) has LMS 12" and 15" drivers available for very good prices. The 12" is $410 plus shipping. All Sound Splinter drivers are made/designed by TC Sounds/Audio Pulse, and they have three 'grades' of drivers. The top quality (Supreme Series) uses LMS motors.

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rls_supreme_series_subwoofer_information.html

Here is the 12" LMS sold by Sound Splinter:

-Chris

 

[j_garcia]

www.rythmikaudio.com They have a 12" and 15", servo or non-servo. They sound very good.

 

[lsiberian]

If you are willing to feed it enough power, Sound Splinter( www.soundsplinter.com ) has LMS 12" and 15" drivers available for very good prices. The 12" is $410 plus shipping. All Sound Splinter drivers are made/designed by TC Sounds/Audio Pulse, and they have three 'grades' of drivers. The top quality (Supreme Series) uses LMS motors.

http://www.soundsplinter.com/rls_supreme_series_subwoofer_information.html

Here is the 12" LMS sold by Sound Splinter:

-Chris

I was speaking more for other folks. I've got my projects on hold for the wedding. I got a TC Sounds 12" sub already. It models extremely well. About 2 db below the JL Audio 12w7. I may seal it first then when I get a house port it.

 

[WmAx]

www.rythmikaudio.com They have a 12" and 15", servo or non-servo. They sound very good.

Yeah... but to be fair... they seem to use drivers not really suited to sealed cabinets, at least not for the lowest octave of LF with high SPL, due to excursion limitations.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Yeah... but to be fair... they seem to use drivers not really suited to sealed cabinets, at least not for the lowest octave of LF with high SPL, due to excursion limitations.

-Chris

I think that's something people chase a bit too much on a budget though. Let's be honest if you have 200 dollars you should expect a good musical sub, but not a great extender. I prefer a sub that does great for music than mediocre for both.

 

[j_garcia]

Yeah... but to be fair... they seem to use drivers not really suited to sealed cabinets, at least not for the lowest octave of LF with high SPL, due to excursion limitations.

-Chris

The sub is very clean and tight. Along with what Chris said, you are going to generally have to spend a bit more to get something that is both tight AND digs really deep. I've run tests on the 12" non-servo 12" from them (Darien's) and while it doesn't give you a lot of tactile feel at the bottom, it did play down to 16Hz. IMO, people who are looking for something more musical tend to not find sub 30Hz / infrasonics performance as important as well.

 

[bandphan]

Yeah... but to be fair... they seem to use drivers not really suited to sealed cabinets, at least not for the lowest octave of LF with high SPL, due to excursion limitations.

-Chris

So what about the w6 drivers Chris?

 

[lsiberian]

So what about the w6 drivers Chris?

I have a W6 driver and love it, but it's excursion limits are not very high and it is not suited for deep extension. Still for a musical sub it's not bad.

 

[WmAx]

So what about the w6 drivers Chris?

The W6v2 JL Audio drivers are fine quality; almost directly comparable to the Kappa Perfect subwoofers. However, their excursion simply is not sufficient for sealed applications where deep extension is desired. You have to really go to a premium performer like the w7, or LMS, or AXIS if you want deep octaves with SPL and low distortion.

-Cris

 

[WmAx]

I have a W6 driver and love it, but it's excursion limits are not very high and it is not suited for deep extension. Still for a musical sub it's not bad.

To be clear, I believe you have v1 W6, correct? The v2 is substantially improved in motor and suspension linearity. In fact, the W6v2 uses the exact suspension, cone and motor technology as the W7, just on a smaller scale (1/2 excursion and 1/2 power handling). The W6v2 was designed to give identical sound quality as the W7, just at approximately 1/2 the SPL as compared to the W7. This is a really unique approach IMO; I can not think of any other company at the moment that has this approach to their subwooe

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

To be clear, I believe you have v1 W6, correct? The v2 is substantially improved in motor and suspension linearity. In fact, the W6v2 uses the exact suspension, cone and motor technology as the W7, just on a smaller scale (1/2 excursion and 1/2 power handling). The W6v2 was designed to give identical sound quality as the W7, just at approximately 1/2 the SPL as compared to the W7. This is a really unique approach IMO; I can not think of any other company at the moment that has this approach to their subwooe

-Chris

Yes the v2 is substantially better. But the SQ is till excellent even on the v1.

 

[KEW]

Thanks for your comments and thoughts. I am reading as much as I can find. I am having a hard time finding much on the 8D's. I found your (rnatalli) comparison of the 8D with the STF-2. Does anyone else have any comments or good links to reviews or discussion? Even a frequency response curve would be something.
They are on the high side of my budget, but the small size and appearance are compelling, and stretching the budget for my wife's interest is always a good prospect.
On the other hand the STF-2's are a well established entity.

Two specific questions:
1) Any experience/comments on room size capability of the 8D?
2) Where is the 8D manufactured?

Thanks!

 

[KEW]

Chris and lsiberian,

Thank you very much for the suggestions. It is obvous things are being stretched to accommodate my budget in a DIY kit. I also have to admit that I like the assurance of buying a sub which is specifically known to be a good performer with music. What can I say, I'm simply to big of a wimp to go for the unknown design.

Cheers,
Kurt

 

[WmAx]

I also have to admit that I like the assurance of buying a sub which is specifically known to be a good performer with music. What can I say, I'm simply to big of a wimp to go for the unknown design.

Cheers,
Kurt

Oh, now that's a shame, as there is no question my suggestion(s) will yield FAR superior performance than a budget retail sub; a budget sub (even most non budget subs) use drivers of far less quality than the ones I recommend. And I always recommend/specify high performance cabinet solutions and processing, amplification, etc.; necessary to get high performance.

-Chris

 

[lsiberian]

Chris and lsiberian,

Thank you very much for the suggestions. It is obvous things are being stretched to accommodate my budget in a DIY kit. I also have to admit that I like the assurance of buying a sub which is specifically known to be a good performer with music. What can I say, I'm simply to big of a wimp to go for the unknown design.

Cheers,
Kurt

Commercial stuff exists for a reason. DIY is for those who really love this hobby.

 

[shadyJ]

One thing for music you might consider is getting two subs instead of just one. You can have a dedicated sub for each channel, and avoid localization problems entirely. It would also help to even out bass nulls in your room, and create a more even frequency response from your system overall. Two of BIC America F12, Bic Acoustech PL-200, HSU STF 1, or Premier Acoustic PA-120 would sound fantastic, probably better than a STF2 or 8D.

 

[lsiberian]

One thing for music you might consider is getting two subs instead of just one. You can have a dedicated sub for each channel, and avoid localization problems entirely. It would also help to even out bass nulls in your room, and create a more even frequency response from your system overall. Two of BIC America F12, Bic Acoustech PL-200, HSU STF 1, or Premier Acoustic PA-120 would sound fantastic, probably better than a STF2 or 8D.

Multiple subs is very nice.