Best sounding sub for $1,000

[Inertia]

What sub would you guys recommend for 99.9% SQ and .1% SPL for under $1,000? I am not a basshead whatsoever... looking for awesome sounding bass for home theatre and gaming. What I want is something with a flat frequency response and still goes low enough to shake the room. Thanks for any help!

 

[Adam]

The resulting response is going to have a lot to do with your room and how you set up your new sub.

If I were buying one right now for $1000 or less, I'd go with one of SVS's PC-Plus line. In particular, I'd get the 16-46 PC-Plus. You can view the measured frequency response on their product page here. The 20-39 also looks to have a very flat response. They have a new model coming out (so those two are on clearance) with a new woofer and amp called the PC12-Plus. The response is shown on the product page here. That new model is on pre-order, so there aren't customer reviews of it. I have a PC13-Ultra, so I'd lean towards the 16-46, but I'd e-mail SVS and discuss the differences between it and the new model.

That's what I would buy, but that's heavily influenced by the fact that I own an SVS, really like it, and really like my experience with the company. I don't have much experience with other recent subwoofers.

 

[croseiv]

I am not a basshead whatsoever...

I used to say that too!!! Bass is very addictive.

 

[Midcow2]

Awesome pre-order for new SVS PB12-Plus sub at $999

Inertia,

You are buying at the perfect time. SVS is a very good sub vendor and they are having a pre-oder sale 0f $999 for thier new PB12-Plus sub.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-newpb12plus.cfm

This is an awesome sub that will meet you requirements.

Good Luck,

MidCow2

 

[Inertia]

Typically though will a sealed sub like the HSU or the Rhythmik F15 sound better?

 

[Inertia]

Thing is croseiv.... I used to be a crazy basshead... I am amazed that I am not deaf already from my stupid car audio subwoofers!

 

[gus6464]

The resulting response is going to have a lot to do with your room and how you set up your new sub.

If I were buying one right now for $1000 or less, I'd go with one of SVS's PC-Plus line. In particular, I'd get the 16-46 PC-Plus. You can view the measured frequency response on their product page here. The 20-39 also looks to have a very flat response. They have a new model coming out (so those two are on clearance) with a new woofer and amp called the PC12-Plus. The response is shown on the product page here. That new model is on pre-order, so there aren't customer reviews of it. I have a PC13-Ultra, so I'd lean towards the 16-46, but I'd e-mail SVS and discuss the differences between it and the new model.

That's what I would buy, but that's heavily influenced by the fact that I own an SVS, really like it, and really like my experience with the company. I don't have much experience with other recent subwoofers.

If from the measurements of the 20-39PC+ are indication the 16-46 can be quite a sloppy sounding sub. In the 30-50Hz region where high GD can be audible, it does not perform very good.

On the other hand here is the GD for the sealed Rhythmic 12" Servo kit.

The Rhythmic maintains very low GD through it's entire FR range and that graph seems to match what everyone is saying out there about it being an extremely musical sub.

As far as a way to somewhat measure SQ of a sub in relation to GD what you can do is take the GD at specific frequency and multiply by the frequency. Once that number gets past the 400 range high GD can be audible in the 30-50Hz range.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

I will second a vote for the new PB12-plus....if you can muster the extra $99 for shipping this will probably be bar-none the best performing $1000 sub that you could buy...

I recently went through a new sub purchase and had the PC 16-46 plus and liked it very much for home theater but I could see where it is not as much of a music sub...I then upgraded to the SVS pb13 ultra and that sub is astounding. What Gus and Inertia are saying is completely objective (the graph aside)...some people prefer sealed some like ported. On that front all youcan do is do some listening of your own and see what you prefer. Also the type of listening you do (movie / music) and your prefered listening levels all play into which sub will be best for your needs...

Given I just looked at your post and you state you want a sub for home theater and gaming that can shake the walls I would have to say go with the SVS products and you will be most satisfied and your home's structural integrity will be put to the test for sure!!!

 

[Midcow2]

WOW I think I just go Christmas present approval

Inertia,

You are buying at the perfect time. SVS is a very good sub vendor and they are having a pre-oder sale 0f $999 for thier new PB12-Plus sub.

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-newpb12plus.cfm

This is an awesome sub that will meet you requirements.

Good Luck,

MidCow2

Too show how much I like this, I asked to wife saying we could save $200 if we ordered now and she said Merry Christmas.

Good luck on getting yours. You mentioned hsU which is my other favorite brand. I currently have Klipsch and Def Tech; they are good but I wanted a larger SVS..... which it looks like I am going to get.

 

[croseiv]

Get the PB12 plus man! You'll love it.

 

[gus6464]

Just because a sub is sealed it does not mean it will automatically sound better than a ported sub either.

Here is the SB12-Plus for example.

From 30-50Hz measurements are decent but not great for a sealed sub.

Now take the PB12-NSD which is ported.

Notice how the PB12 measures the same and better in some cases than the SB12 yet it is a ported sub.

 

[annunaki]

I say a JL audio 13W6v2 or 12W6v2 in a sealed enclosure (DIY) with a Behringer DCX2496 and EP2500 for power. It is the most linear driver I have seen in terms of motor and suspension measured by a credible 3rd party.

You could do it all for under $1K and it will destroy anything in that price category commercially.

A W7 would also be an option if you needed more output.

 

[croseiv]

Just because a sub is sealed it does not mean it will automatically sound better than a ported sub either.

Here is the SB12-Plus for example.

From 30-50Hz measurements are decent but not great for a sealed sub.

Now take the PB12-NSD which is ported.

Notice how the PB12 measures the same and better in some cases than the SB12 yet it is a ported sub.

Very good way of making your point there gus6464!

 

[Sherardp]

I'd definitely give the new PB12 PLus a shot if I were the market. Looks great and to be a great performer.

 

[haraldo]

If considering DIY, why don't you look to the DIY Corner and all the Kappa Perfect designs, these are probably considerably better than the SVS

At least according to what other forum members claim about these designs

http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/showthread.php?t=45528

http://www.avsoundlab.com/builds/kappa vq.htm

-H

 

[croseiv]

Here's my question:

What's the best sounding manufactured subwoofer for $1000?

 

[newguru]

Here's my question:

What's the best sounding manufactured subwoofer for $1000?

I think you got a lot of answers on this question above already.

I would say the deal on the PB12-Plus at $999 would be the winner.

I'm real close to pulling the trigger on this myself in the next few days. Just waiting for a commission check to arrive and its a done deal.

For the money and SVS reputation, this doesn't take much of a leap of faith on your part to know you will get a good one.

 

[WINGNUT4772]

Typically though will a sealed sub like the HSU or the Rhythmik F15 sound better?

I went from SVS to the HSU ULS-15 (sealed) and I love it. It doesn't put out the same SPL but the sound is smoother, better, IMO. If you have a smaller to medium room, one will do you fine and be close to your budget.

 

[haraldo]

Here's my question:

What's the best sounding manufactured subwoofer for $1000?

Sorry, I missed the "manufactured" part....

 

[ironmike86]

I didn't see any size required? None?I would look at
Direct Servo 15" Subwoofer . Good sealed sub for music. Research Epik Knight, & Castle. Really good for Ht but are back ordered. I would get any 15" sub. The woofers from any of these reliable ID co
will kick almost any 12" woofer but IME. Other than the Svs 13.5 Ultra which can keep up with these 15" woofs. The Hsu Ul15 has been getting good praise but over your budget. I really doubt any 12" can for under $1K. If so name the sub.