cheap thrill? (going crazy)

[mike c]

im looking at maybe buying another subwoofer (aside from the CHT-R)
because I give the CHT-R failing marks in aesthetics ...

I feel I need a sub that:
-nice looking
-is sealed (tightness?)
-will fill the void between my front speakers and tv stand (CHT-R wont fit)

tell me these two dont look nice! (B&W ASW675 and Martin Logan Grotto)

 

[mike c]

They're both sealed, both with 10" drivers, both claims 22hz freq. extension

but the B&W has a class D amp 500w;
the Grotto has 250w RMS; has something called a 25hz level control

comments? opinions?

I also found a soundandvision review that found that the B&W can produce 70+db SPL at 16hz with low distortion. an old model CHT-15 however could only produce up to 25hz without a big %distortion. does that mean that the B&W ASW675 will trump the CHT15 (and most likely the CHT15-R which has a similar frequency range)

 

[jaxvon]

See if you can find a dealer that will let you try both out at home to see what you like. I'd probably opt for the grotto, but that's just a wild speculation.

 

[mike c]

i just remembered that someone was offering me a DD-10 for less than 2000USD. I figure, why waste money on these JUST for aesthetics. because again, the DD-10 (velodyne for that matter) doesn't really put much stock on the "cool look" factor.

 

[mike c]

amazing how a night's sleep can stop the "I gotta have this and that..." feeling

 

[mulester7]

im looking at maybe buying another subwoofer (aside from the CHT-R)
because I give the CHT-R failing marks in aesthetics ...

I feel I need a sub that:
-nice looking
-is sealed (tightness?)
-will fill the void between my front speakers and tv stand (CHT-R wont fit)

tell me these two dont look nice! (B&W ASW675 and Martin Logan Grotto)

.....Mike, listen to both, and you'll probably notice one has a better voice in the top range....I suspect the Grotto sounds mighty good......

 

[gellor]

I went to tweeter yesterday and did an in-store demo of the Grotto. (one of their smaller listening rooms) Now...in all fairness, what it did, it did pretty well. However, it was very localised. My attention kept getting drawn TOWARDS the sub. In addition the sub seemed weak.

Granted, the sub was along the side wall, and may be better in a corner. It also seemed like a good sub to run inline with each of the fronts. But I just couldn't imagine paying $1000 for it. In that price range, if you want to go with a smaller, sealed sub, you might want to look into the Definitive Tech Supercubes.

 

[mike c]

I also demo'd the grotto in a 1700cu.ft. room.
I have badluck with demo's. its either the guy was incrediblly dumb (took half an hour JUST to connect the grotto) or the grotto is simply very hard to integrate (something about having to use the stereo inputs)

just like you, I found the sub to be lacking especially if you plan on using it for HT. (granted it was nowhere near a wall) but for music, it was pretty good (for maybe 1000cu.ft. rooms)

 

[Sheep]

You'd be suprised how weak THD free bass sounds. I like it. The THX theaters sound great. They have volume, but its perfectly blended with the mid and treble that it seems weak.

So, whats the cleanest sub your've heard? Could it be your used to boomier subs?

SheepStar

 

[mike c]

So, whats the cleanest sub you've heard?

I would have to say that the grotto was IT. which is probably why it is perfect for music. btw, they were demo'd with aeon i's as the speakers.

Could it be your used to boomier subs?

SheepStar

VERY. I like the distracting kind of bass

 

[enrique]

Not to interupt but totally agree w/ mike c.
Short story-A cpl of weeks ago i was debating between def.tech. supercube 1 or 2, and mirage 10.I wanted a small sub to replace my def.tech. 200tl that i sold.I went to sound advice to hear the mirage and while there i also heard the grotto.I was impressed with the grotto but at tweeters it's hard to tell.Went to magnolia's and heard both supercubes and the grotto again.Magnolias is worse than tweeters.Regardless liked the grotto the best.Neither stores had the subs setup properly.I then found a dealer and heard the grotto in a non-accoustical room and was even more impressed.I obviously bought the grotto and later took it home.At home i was even more impressed than any of the earlier auditions.It's a great sub for HT and especially for music.It's very tight and accurate. Sorry for Long post.

 

[Khellandros66]

Definitive SuperCube II is not a sub to pass up heard one in a friends house in a 15 x 19 x 10 foot room and the oomp was there and so was the tight clean Definitive sound.

I demo'ed it with Master and Commander as well as the Sound and Vision setup disc which has most of the Surround trailers. Finding Nemo's score was also tight clean and powerful.

~Bob

 

[gellor]

You'd be suprised how weak THD free bass sounds. I like it. The THX theaters sound great. They have volume, but its perfectly blended with the mid and treble that it seems weak.

So, whats the cleanest sub your've heard? Could it be your used to boomier subs?

SheepStar

One of my biggest problems was that it actually drew my attention to it. The sub was on the right, and the male voices were on the left of the soundstage, and it actually pulled the sound away from where it was supposed to be. I'd happily give it another try in a better setup, but based off of that one audition...not impressed.

Oh, to answer your second question, the other ones I've listened to were some of the velos and supercubes.

 

[Sheep]

Yes, A better setup would most definately yeild a better conclusion.

I would like to hear one, but I hate driving down town.

SheepStar