Best sub 750 euro subwoofer.

[Droogne]

Hey

I am starting an 11.2 surround system and I was wondering what the best subwoofer is I could get for around 500-750 euros. Was thinking about a Klipsch R115SW, which is gorgeous and has some nice reviews. Should I go for a different brand, maybe SVS?

Greetings

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Bkelec is probably best value for your euro on your side of the Atlantic

 

[tyhjaarpa]

In european market these are by far your best options, if your budget is really tight there are some cheaper subs from BK as well that should perform well.

http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/monolith-df_Plus.htm
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XXLS400DF.htm

 

[Droogne]

They recommend I buy a XXLS400FF as I only have a 5x5m room, will use 2x subwoofers and live in an apartment. Does anyone have an idea if this is beter or worste than the Klipsch R115SW. I really want the klipsch because he is gorgeous, but if the BK is better I would evidently go for that one.

 

[lovinthehd]

You mean dual XXLS400FF vs a single R115SW? Is this for multiple seats or just your own?

Have you actually laid hands on the Klipsch or just like the gold colored cone to match your others? My only Klipsch sub, an RW12d, looked better in pictures than the fit/finish actually was (and don't particularly like the color of the cone but usually just turned it to the side so I didn't have to look at it; plus the grill could buzz at the right volume/frequency). The BK subs have alternate finishes at least...

 

[Droogne]

No, literaly 1 vs 1, if they Klipsch is beter (which wouldnt be too surprising as it costs 650 vs the 500 of the BK), how much better is it? What would be the best bang for my buck? I use them equal for movies and music, with a slightly preference for good Quality movie sound. And do you mean how much People would be watching? Like 6-8 maybe, so at least a few couches. And I've never seen the klipsch, but have seen it in like 50 setups in the facebook group I'm in and I really like them! That cone is just beautifull ö (I have the R12-SW too at the moment and I love it! )

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

They recommend I buy a XXLS400FF as I only have a 5x5m room, will use 2x subwoofers and live in an apartment. Does anyone have an idea if this is beter or worste than the Klipsch R115SW. I really want the klipsch because he is gorgeous, but if the BK is better I would evidently go for that one.

Would rather have a precise instrument of bass destruction or a shiny fart box?
Get the BKElec, ask for custom finish if appearance is important. I personally think between piano and walnut - I'd be sure to pick one.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

No, literaly 1 vs 1, if they Klipsch is beter (which wouldnt be too surprising as it costs 650 vs the 500 of the BK), how much better is it? What would be the best bang for my buck? I use them equal for movies and music, with a slightly preference for good Quality movie sound. And do you mean how much People would be watching? Like 6-8 maybe, so at least a few couches. And I've never seen the klipsch, but have seen it in like 50 setups in the facebook group I'm in and I really like them! That cone is just beautifull ö (I have the R12-SW too at the moment and I love it! )

This is about SVS, but same idea applies here on BKElec vs Klipsch:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060219134255/http://www.svsound.com/animation.cfm
[Needs flash]

 

[Droogne]

Well that's why I'm asking I would never pick looks over performance, but if the Klipsch was equally good of better I would have picked that one does it matter that the rest of my system is Klipsch? Doesnt that make them fit better?

 

[Droogne]

But is the klipsch that bad? I mean I have one now and I'm pretty happy about it. But my decision has been made! BK it is! Do I follow their advice and go for the XXSL400, or is the monolith the better choice? The size difference is not a real problem.

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

No it doesn't matter one iota if the system is klipsch, jbl, kef, etc. subwoofers aren't voice matched like speakers. I only know enough about BK to know I'd never choose a klipsch over one. The klipsch subs do have a nice look, but I would never buy one. You'll get a kick outta this though. I have a Polk sub as an mbm in my system that I traded an sb2000 for. Doh!!!! My friend needed it much more than I did since I have two pcPluses already. He gave me the Polk and a pair of JBL bookshelf speakers to boot. Good choice on the BK.

 

[lovinthehd]

Well that's why I'm asking I would never pick looks over performance, but if the Klipsch was equally good of better I would have picked that one does it matter that the rest of my system is Klipsch? Doesnt that make them fit better?

Only aesthetically. OTOH here's some comments about the R115SW by Mark Henniger....

 

[William Lemmerhirt]

I read through a few pages of that thread. A few notes I made were, 2, 15's in a 1900cuft room with what looked like suspended wood floors should definitely rattle some teeth. Also, it was mentioned that a pc2k while being almost the same above about 35hz, was better below that. Not to mention accuracy. IMO the r115 is a high Q(low damping or control, like most of their subs) design focused on output, and not much else. I wish Mark would have taken some measurements.

 

[tyhjaarpa]

But is the klipsch that bad? I mean I have one now and I'm pretty happy about it. But my decision has been made! BK it is! Do I follow their advice and go for the XXSL400, or is the monolith the better choice? The size difference is not a real problem.

This depends on how loud you want to play, if you dont need it to play super loud then XXLS400 will do but if you prefer it really loud get the Monolith+. Like said, these BK subs will beat those Klipsch subs hands down. I personally run 2x XXLS400DF in similarry sized space and I have been happy, but I'm not playing them super loud. I prefer down firing subs for looks but thats just my preference.

 

[Droogne]

Aight! Don't think loudness is gonna be a problem I use a 200watt sub at the moment and it already goes pretty loud! I live in a apartment so maybe for the better !

Ps completely unrelated, is there any use for more than 2 subs?

 

[lovinthehd]

Aight! Don't think loudness is gonna be a problem I use a 200watt sub at the moment and it already goes pretty loud! I live in a apartment so maybe for the better !

Ps completely unrelated, is there any use for more than 2 subs?

Sure. Maybe not for an apartment, tho

 

[Droogne]

Is there any use for more than 2 subs, concerning sound quality/immersitivity? *

 

[lovinthehd]

Is there any use for more than 2 subs, concerning sound quality/immersitivity? *

You could achieve smoother response across the room, may also be useful in terms of output in a really large room, depending on your spl goals. I use 4 for a combination of those reasons in my main system, room volume on the order of 6000+ cuft (170 cubic meters). Not an apartment.

Also multiple subwoofers operating each at a lower level due to multiples makes each sub work less, with less distortion and less stress on the amps. Also a way to chase ultra low frequencies. Depends what you want to do/achieve....

 

[Droogne]

Whoa! That is one big assortiment room! Mine is more like 80 cubic meters if you count the kitchen. Wouldnt do this right now, but might do that in the future;! Thanks for all the info! Will let you know what I think about the sub once In have it!

 

[lovinthehd]

Whoa! That is one big assortiment room! Mine is more like 80 cubic meters if you count the kitchen. Wouldnt do this right now, but might do that in the future;! Thanks for all the info! Will let you know what I think about the sub once In have it!

Subs work with the volume open to them, that's living room plus....via adjoining dining room/ kitchen.