Help me choose between these subs

[alphaiii]

I'm looking for a relatively compact sub for a bedroom 3.1 setup, mostly for movies, but a little music listening as well. The sub will be paired with Energy RC-10's and Energy RC-Mini Center. I want as tight and clean of bass as possible. The sub will sit on an Auralex Subdude.

Here are the subs I'm considering:

Mirage Prestige S8 - Yeah I know the 26Hz -3dB is a very optimistic rating (in-room, best case scenario), but I don't need extremely low extension. It's a nice looking sub, and compact. It is front firing/rear ported, but I can give it 8" clearance in the back.

HSU STF-1 - It's not going to win any beauty contests, but HSU's rep can't be ignored. It's deeper than the S8, so rear port clearance will only be about 5". It's only rated to 32Hz (-2dB), but I imagine it plays just about as low as the S8.

Chrysalis Starfire-10/Veldoyne Impact-10 - These appear to be the same sub, just different name and asthetics. Rated to 32Hz @ -3dB. An advantage is that they're front firing/bottom ported, so rear wall bass reinforcement isn't an issue. Not sure if they stack up to the S8, or moreso, the STF-1, though.

Thoughts?

 

[sholling]

I'm going though the same decision making process. How big is the room (L/W/H)?

For my own purposes the Mirage has me tempted because unlike the Hsu it's furniture grade. But Vanns just put three of them on their customer-returns/clearance page and it makes me wonder why so many have come back in the last few days. The Velodyne has the least reserve power (150/250). That's going to limit it to a small room, but the front port is tempting for me because I hate having a port pounding on an outside wall.

Anyway I'll watch your thread to see which way you go.

 

[alphaiii]

The room is about 11'W x 16'L x 7.5'H.

I wonder if the returns are from those just expecting too much from an 8" sub.

The Mirage sub definitely has the edge in looks, and is the most compact of the options listed. I just wonder how exaggerated the frequency response specs are.

The HSU gives up looks and small size, but I keep thinking it will be the best performer of the bunch.

I just recently stumbled on the Chrysalis/Velodyne options. They aren't the greatest looking either, but the bottom porting helps with placement issues, and it's smaller than the HSU. Still, I'm leaning toward one of the others only because both the HSU and Mirage are cheaper, and based on specs, should give better performance.

The biggest thing I'm after is tight, clean bass. I don't care if none of these subs are what most people would call real HT subs. I want sound quality - not rumble and boom - in a smallish affordable package. So it's obvious there has to be compromises. I'm willing to give up extension and some SPL.

 

[rnatalli]

I'd go with the STF-1 out of those three.

 

[GlocksRock]

I too would chose the HSU out of those.

 

[alphaiii]

Thanks for the inputs guys.

Despite getting more recommendations, I think I have to rule out the HSU. Here's my reasoning - feel free to give your input on this too, please.

The HSU is rear ported, and is also 16" deep. I am only looking at about 5" port clearance from the back wall, which happens to be a connecting wall to a neighboring townhouse. These walls aren't exactly well insulated for sound - some I'm thinking having the port pounding so close to that wall is a good way to piss off the neighbors.

Also, the HSU will run me $279.

I can get the Prestige S8 brand new for $251. I know it is also rear ported, but I'll have more like 8" of rear clearance. Do you think this will make enough of a difference to have less reinforcement on that back wall - and therefore less likely to drive the neighbors nuts? Also, this sub will easily fit on the SubdudeHD.

On the other hand, I can get the Chrysalis Starfire 10 brand new for $209. So I'd be getting the best deal with this, and also the longest warranty on the electronics. Not to mention, I'm now looking at a bottom ported (with port firing into the SubdudeHD) and front firing.

I imagine I'd be giving up some performance if I go with the Chrysalis, but I wonder how much relative to the Prestige S8.

Prestige has WAF, better specs (although probably a bit inflated), higher power amp....but is rear ported and has a smaller driver.

Chrysalis is $42 cheaper, has 2 years more on amp warranty, bottom port and larger driver...but is only rated to 32Hz -3dB and has less amp.


So between the Prestige S8 and Chrysalis - thoughts?

 

[GlocksRock]

Those few inches of port clearance aren't going to make any difference as far as your neighbors are concerned, they will hear the bass no matter what. The HSU will still likely be the best choice, and it will be worth the extra money.

 

[sgtpepper9]

Those few inches of port clearance aren't going to make any difference as far as your neighbors are concerned, they will hear the bass no matter what. The HSU will still likely be the best choice, and it will be worth the extra money.

Agreed, I think "port chuffing", as I believe it is called, will be in audible through a wall. 20 Hz pressure waves is a different story though

 

[Midcow2]

I'm looking for a relatively compact sub for a bedroom 3.1 setup, mostly for movies, but a little music listening as well. The sub will be paired with Energy RC-10's and Energy RC-Mini Center. I want as tight and clean of bass as possible. The sub will sit on an Auralex Subdude.

Here are the subs I'm considering:

Mirage Prestige S8 - Yeah I know the 26Hz -3dB is a very optimistic rating (in-room, best case scenario), but I don't need extremely low extension. It's a nice looking sub, and compact. It is front firing/rear ported, but I can give it 8" clearance in the back.

HSU STF-1 - It's not going to win any beauty contests, but HSU's rep can't be ignored. It's deeper than the S8, so rear port clearance will only be about 5". It's only rated to 32Hz (-2dB), but I imagine it plays just about as low as the S8.

Chrysalis Starfire-10/Veldoyne Impact-10 - These appear to be the same sub, just different name and asthetics. Rated to 32Hz @ -3dB. An advantage is that they're front firing/bottom ported, so rear wall bass reinforcement isn't an issue. Not sure if they stack up to the S8, or moreso, the STF-1, though.

Thoughts?

Of the ones you listed I would go with the Hsu STF-1. I notice you did not include the SVS PB10-NSD, which would also be a very nice option!

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

Good Luck!

MidCow2

 

[sholling]

The HSU is rear ported, and is also 16" deep. I am only looking at about 5" port clearance from the back wall, which happens to be a connecting wall to a neighboring townhouse. These walls aren't exactly well insulated for sound - some I'm thinking having the port pounding so close to that wall is a good way to piss off the neighbors.

I had my PB12Plus/2 6" from an interior wall and if it had been a neighbors sub I'd have been really upset. Even at reasonable volumes those ports pounded the heck out of that wall.

Although I'm in a house the port pounding on an outside wall at 1AM is why I'm still considering taking a chance on the TSC T250 for my bedroom. My experience with low end Velodynes has just been too mixed for my comfort. My little VX-10 is a good tight sounding little sub, but the CHT-10 that I bought to replace it just sounded "sloppy" and I sold it. You're in a tough situation with your only available wall being a shared wall. Isn't there another non-shared wall you could put it near? Even if you have to run cable clear around the room it would be a better move.

BTW one thing that I considered was mounting a Hsu sideways with the rear port reflecting off of a 300lb oak dresser. That would still tick off neighbors if next to a shared wall but maybe gives you more placement options.

 

[sholling]

Of the ones you listed I would go with the Hsu STF-1. I notice you did not include the SVS PB10-NSD, which would also be a very nice option!

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-10nsd.cfm

Good Luck!

MidCow2

Dang I followed your link and now I have a whole bucket of drool to mop up. That would be the absolute perfect solution if I had $500 (w/shipping) laying around for a bedroom sub. Compact, front firing and front ported and SVS quality.

 

[lsiberian]

If there is concern with the neighbors then I strongly discourage the HSU. I'm pretty sure that would piss em off.

I suggest you also consider placing the sub on the opposite side of the room. To cut down on this. You can also treat the wall. Which helps a little.

Your space isn't huge and I think even a 10" Dayton could probably fill the room. It may not shake your couch, but that's just not realistic for your settings. Any chance you could setup and isolating wall in the room?

Believe me I know the desire for a powerful sub. But sometimes you have to consider the neighbors.

 

[sholling]

If there is concern with the neighbors then I strongly discourage the HSU. I'm pretty sure that would piss em off.

I suggest you also consider placing the sub on the opposite side of the room. To cut down on this. You can also treat the wall. Which helps a little.

Your space isn't huge and I think even a 10" Dayton could probably fill the room. It may not shake your couch, but that's just not realistic for your settings. Any chance you could setup and isolating wall in the room?

Believe me I know the desire for a powerful sub. But sometimes you have to consider the neighbors.

This is really good advice. It's really easy for all of us (me included) to get carried away but you have to live with your neighbors. Anyway I just did the math and at only 1500cu ft so I'd buy something small and stick it on another wall - even if you have to live with a cable run along the baseboard. Also if the sound proofing is as bad as some I'd consider a good set of headphones because you're never going to be able to listen your speakers turned up loud anyway. I used my Senn HD600s a lot when I lived in a townhome.

 

[alphaiii]

The SVS PB10 is alot more $$ than I want to spend...plus it's and pretty large (compared to the options I mentioned).

In reality, it's just way more sub than I need for my bedroom.

 

[alphaiii]

If there is concern with the neighbors then I strongly discourage the HSU. I'm pretty sure that would piss em off.

I suggest you also consider placing the sub on the opposite side of the room. To cut down on this. You can also treat the wall. Which helps a little.

Your space isn't huge and I think even a 10" Dayton could probably fill the room. It may not shake your couch, but that's just not realistic for your settings. Any chance you could setup and isolating wall in the room?

Believe me I know the desire for a powerful sub. But sometimes you have to consider the neighbors.

Given the current room setup, it's not possible to put the sub on the other side of the room. I'd have to basically flip flop the room to put the sub/speakers/electronics on the isolated wall. I'll have to look around a bit tomorrow to see if this would be doable - might be, but I'd have to re-run the coax for sure.

 

[sholling]

Given the current room setup, it's not possible to put the sub on the other side of the room. I'd have to basically flip flop the room to put the sub/speakers/electronics on the isolated wall. I'll have to look around a bit tomorrow to see if this would be doable - might be, but I'd have to re-run the coax for sure.

Your subwoofer doesn't need to be on the same wall. It can be anywhere in the room. I use the massive (18x28) SVS PB12-Plus/2 in my family room (main AV room) as my end table. It's completely across the room from my receiver and mains.

As long as you're crossing over around 80hz or lower then you won't generally notice where the deep bass is coming from. Of course it might be nice to get all of the speakers away from the shared wall just so that you can enjoy more volume, but the sub does not have to be on the same wall.

 

[alphaiii]

Your subwoofer doesn't need to be on the same wall. It can be anywhere in the room. I use the massive (18x28) SVS PB12-Plus/2 in my family room (main AV room) as my end table. It's completely across the room from my receiver and mains.

As long as you're crossing over around 80hz or lower then you won't generally notice where the deep bass is coming from. Of course it might be nice to get all of the speakers away from the shared wall just so that you can enjoy more volume, but the sub does not have to be on the same wall.

Well, with the way the room is currently set up, there isn't anywhere to put it on the opposite wall. Also, I have to set the crossover to 100Hz due to the RC-Mini center (with the Panasonic XR55, all channels are set to the same crossover frequency), so I'd like to keep the sub near the mains.

I might be able to move the entire setup to the opposite wall though. I really hadn't thought about doing that...as stupid as it sounds. There's really no reason I couldn't swap walls, as long as the opposite wall will be long enough (due to the doorway, this wall is shorter) and I can re-run to coax along that wall.

 

[pzaur]

Not heard 'em. Just a thought. 30 days in home and shipping both ways.

The Speaker Company

The range listed for the T250 and T300 is a lot lower than you'd think.
Just thought I'd through them in since they've been getting all around good reviews for their other products.

-pat

 

[sholling]

Ok I'll be the Guinea Pig. Since no one else has any experience with the TSC T250 that's exactly what I'll be. I ordered one today. I'll let you know what I think once it get's here.

 

[alphaiii]

Looking forward to your thoughts on the tSC sub.

I wasn't originally considering it, but since I still haven't made up my mind, maybe I'll hold out a few days to see what you think of it.

It's a little bigger and has deeper extension (yes, in my situation I think this could actually be a bad thing - ie. angry neighbors) than I was originally looking for, but maybe I shouldn't rule it out just yet.