Are PSB subs good? Compared to Velodyne?

[Johnny Canuck]

I have a Polk PSW 404 and it's just not cutting it. Especially after i heard my friend's Velodyne sub. it was half the size of mine and twice as good.

My problem is the store in town that would take my sub in trade sells PSB subs. How would they compare to the Velodyne products? Thanks.

Also, would it be better to get another Polk 404 to match if i found a good deal on a used one?

it was the punch of that Velodne I really liked. i felt the air. I don't think i would get that if I added another Polk ...Thoughts??

 

[warnerwh]

The PSB isn't bad but there are others. Did you see the review of the Rocket sub on this site. Very nice sub for the money. You don't say what you want to spend. VMPS subs with the 1000 watt amps can be had for a bit more than the rocket and SVS and HSU also have nice subs per dollar. The four brands listed are all well known for good value per dollar. The AV123 Rocket sub and VMPS both have forums at audiocircle.com if you would like more info from users or the manufacturer. The Rocket is a very good value but won't rock the house like the other three will. Then again at 600 bucks for that sub it's a great deal. Although I haven't heard the Rocker sub the owner of AV123, Mark Schifter, is quite good at being extremely competitive besides having garnered two excellent reviews. The VMPS subs I know well and will play music excellently or make your walls breath in and out in movies with extremely good bang per dollar. Haven't heard the HSU's in years but he continues to get great reviews also. You're correct thinking that another sub like you have will not cut it. I'd sell what I had and use that money to help pay for a better sub. The subs I've listed you can have for 600 to 1000. Look on audiogon.com or Ebay for good used deals. Also M&K used subs are quite good and I've seen them go on Ebay for cheap. Get one of the M&k's with two 12's in a push pull configuration for under 500 off of Ebay and be happy. Or if you have a thousand to spend a VMPS Larger with the 1000 watt@4ohm plate amp for about a thousand with a 12" and 15" active and a 15" passive and 140 lbs will do the job very very well! Hope this helps.

 

[hammong]

Which Velodyne does your friend have? They make some inexpensive subs and some very expensive subs, and there is a wide variation in performance between them. The DD-series are fantastic, and the room equalization features allow them to be even more effective. If you're comparing your PSW404 to a DD15 or DD12, I can see why you'd be disappointed with your equipment.

If we knew what model your friend had, it would be easier to come up with a recommendation for comparable performance.

Greg

 

[Johnny Canuck]

My buddy has a Velodyne SPL Series II ...I think he had the 8.....and it still kicked serious ***. He said it is around $1000 Canadian...he knows guys, gets great deals...same guy got me my denon 3805 for $1379 canadian.

 

[hammong]

That little 8" Velodyne SPL-II has a 1000-watt RMS digital amplifier in it, and moves serious air for a sub so small. I think the reason you're feeling the bass more is because the little SPL goes down to 28 Hz @ -3 dB, and Polk claims the PSW404 goes down to 32 Hz @ -3 dB.

It could also be that your friend's Velodyne might have been better placed in his room, compared to your own theatre. If you want to do an apples to apples comparison, see if your friend will allow you to borrow his sub for a few days, or take your Polk over and hook it up in exactly the same place as his SPL-II and see how it does. Room placement makes a HUGE difference with subs. Even my 12" SPL-II didn't quite satisfy me until I moved it about 6 feet.

Greg