Help deciding what size of sub I need? Confused?

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lucky777

lucky777

Enthusiast
I've been looking at subs for weeks now and I really have no clue what size I really need. My current living room is about 30 feet by 15 feet. I expect to move soon and my new living room will be slightly smaller.

I have no idea if a 8",10" or 12" is what I need. Also will some smaller subs give me the punch of a 12"?

My current system is simply 2 Polk Monitor 60's for my fronts, Polk CS1 for center and a pair of Polk Rti4's for my surrounds. I tell you this only so you see I don't want to end up with a sub that costs more then the rest of my speakers combined, I would like to spend about $300-$400 bucks.

Any suggestion on size selection would be great and also if you can explain why bigger subs are, or are not always necessary that would be great. Just trying to learn a few things. Please enlighten me ;)
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
lucky777 said:
Also will some smaller subs give me the punch of a 12"?
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Driver size is only one part of what makes up a subwoofers performance. Enclosure, driver, amp, crossover, all play a part.
 
lucky777

lucky777

Enthusiast
Driver size is only one part of what makes up a subwoofers performance. Enclosure, driver, amp, crossover, all play a part.
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Thanx but in what way??? Thats what I'm trying to understand. :confused:
 
G

gus6464

Audioholic Samurai
Basically buy the biggest sub you can afford. Since you have $400 the SVS PB10-NSD will be your best bet and pretty much the best sub you can get for the price. If you feel that after getting the PB10 it's still not enough to cover your room you can always save up another $400 and get another one to add to the system. With subs it's always to just get the best you can get.
 
Chopin_Guy

Chopin_Guy

Senior Audioholic
Lucky777 you have gotten some very good recommendations from members here...but in your price range I am not sure if you be able to get a sub that can supply sufficient output in your listening room. Given the dimensions you stated, and an assumed ceiling heinght of at least 10 feet (30 x 15 x 10)--you have a room with 4500 cubic feet and thats if its a closed room--any openings further effect response and output in the room.

Now, you did not state your listening habits or listening levels but I would have to say that you will be hard pressed to find a sub that can provide sufficient output in that size space. If it's financial possible, the starting sub for that space would be the SVS PB12-NSD. And thats a starting point, IMO--as you will read alot in these threads you might be better off saving up a little more funds to put into a better subwoofer....
 
annunaki

annunaki

Moderator
gus6464 said:
Basically buy the biggest sub you can afford. Since you have $400 the SVS PB10-NSD will be your best bet and pretty much the best sub you can get for the price. If you feel that after getting the PB10 it's still not enough to cover your room you can always save up another $400 and get another one to add to the system. With subs it's always to just get the best you can get.
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In that size room a single 10" will probably be a bit weak.

OP: If you want to do it right, with a room of that size, you should look at either saving a bit more cash or bumping up to multiple subs.
 
N

Nuance AH

Audioholic General
Chopin_Guy said:
Lucky777 you have gotten some very good recommendations from members here...but in your price range I am not sure if you be able to get a sub that can supply sufficient output in your listening room. Given the dimensions you stated, and an assumed ceiling heinght of at least 10 feet (30 x 15 x 10)--you have a room with 4500 cubic feet and thats if its a closed room--any openings further effect response and output in the room.

Now, you did not state your listening habits or listening levels but I would have to say that you will be hard pressed to find a sub that can provide sufficient output in that size space. If it's financial possible, the starting sub for that space would be the SVS PB12-NSD. And thats a starting point, IMO--as you will read alot in these threads you might be better off saving up a little more funds to put into a better subwoofer....
Click to expand...
I completely agree. That room is too big to use a 10" subwoofer in.

Is there any possibility you can raise the budget, lucky? An Epik Cailper, AV123 MFW-15 or DYI Rythmik 15" Servo would be much better choices, but more costly. Heck, in that sized room I'd use dual SVS PB13 Ultra's, if I had the money. :)
 
Gimpy Ric

Gimpy Ric

Moderator
Nuance AH said:
Heck, in that sized room I'd use dual SVS PB13 Ultra's, if I had the money. :)
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You might try ONE Ultra first. My old living room was 30x17.5 feet with vaulted cieling and I beleive my one Ultra would do ;).

The OP might think about signing up for the SVS deal on a pre order PB12-Plus if he would entertain $999.00 for a sub.
 
lucky777

lucky777

Enthusiast
Quick question again.Lets assume a sub only has the regular red and white inputs but no LFE input,your receiver only has LFE output. I read in article just to plug your lfe output into one of the red and white inputs on the sub and it would work normally. Is this correct?
 
J

jostenmeat

Audioholic Spartan
Yes. Some people use a splitter to use both plugs, and I think people say that gets you 3db boost, but that's something you can adjust anyways with the sub's gain, or receiver's gain.

re the SVS 10", AFAIK, it seems the 12" is a better deal. It has better connectivity, and a recently designed amp. I don't think* that happened with the 10", or does someone else here know?
 
Gimpy Ric

Gimpy Ric

Moderator
If you can get two BRAND NEW ONES for 360.00 I say think about it. They only go down to 27 Hz., great for music, but not low enough for all movies. But two might fill your space better than one 12".

I owned a PS-12 Infinity, older brother to the PS212. I really liked it, until I upgraded to a big Hsu Research sub, that went much deeper and had more output.

Moral of the story: If you got to have something now, get the two 10's, great price...BUT save up, save the boxes for the 10's for re-sale on craigs list, and get a 1k class siub. The new SVS PB12 Plus looks nice, the Hsu Research VTF-3 MK3 @ $699.00 is a steal. An Epik Castle at $999.00 will shake your soul.

Bottom line: You can NEVER have too much sub. I've got an SVS PB13-Ultra in a large master bedroom. Its both overkill and great! Get all the sub you can.
 
lucky777

lucky777

Enthusiast
Ok so I bought the 2 Infinity subs for $320.00 for the pair. Now how do I split the connections probably so I can run both subs at once. I only have LFE out on my receiver.
 
lucky777

lucky777

Enthusiast
Hey mazersteven, thanx again. Last question will I get better performance from a sub using the LFE connection or using the red and white rca type plugs? I've always used the LFE assuming is was the better of the 2.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
lucky777 said:
Hey mazersteven, thanx again. Last question will I get better performance from a sub using the LFE connection or using the red and white rca type plugs? I've always used the LFE assuming is was the better of the 2.
Click to expand...
I'm not a connection guru. But I would say to use the Sub-Out or LFE connection. I could be wrong. Hopefully one of the guys will chime in and confirm this, or correct me.
 
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