I don't want my sub!!

[jcparks]

Ok so I realize that my home theater doesn't work without it... But aesthetically it doesn't work. Sub woofers are ugly non attractive boxes. Today I tried to place my sub under an end table, next to the couch, up against the wall where it would be hidden from view, but it killed the acoustics.
So I need help... I plan on buying a new sub as soon as I pay off the EMP speakers I just bought which should conveniently be right around Black Friday . While I would love to pick up a sub from the likes of SVS or HSU, they are all ugly. So what I would like is either
A: an attractive sub that sells for around 500 dollars and has performance close to the likes of the SVS SB1000 but looks good in my living room, pictured here You will notice the subwoofer in the corner.
http://forums.audioholics.com/forums/general-av-discussions/91273-pictures-my-developing-living-room-home-theater.html
or
B: How can I hide an ugly subwoofer but not kill the sound. Do you guys have any decorating tricks to make the "black box" blend in? Anything that might work for something that may have more output in my largeish 2700 cubic foot living room, like a SVS PB 1000 or an Outlaw LFM1.

A while back I started a thread asking about pulling out my underfloor furnace, reinforcing the box... and placing a sub in there. I got the impression that it wasn't such a good idea though.

My Home theater doubles as a living, visiting, social room. I want good sound and performance, that is visually attractive. I realize that a lot of us find that speakers and sub woofers can be attractive, but I dont want something that stands out, I want something that blends in. My Emps are very attractive speakers, but they also work very well with the room, I just cant figure out how to make my sub work. It may be a tall order but this is my house for the foreseeable future so I really want to figure something out.

Heh asking for interior decorating advice on an audiophile message board... I hope I don't get chased away.
Thanks
-Chris

 

[psbfan9]

EMP offers a sub in the red burl which would fit with in your room. EMP Tek ES10i Subwoofer

Hsu offers a sub in a reddish color called Rosenut, but only in the VTF-3 and higher. VTF-3 MK4 Subwoofer

Try more placement options or some type of decorative cloth cover over the sides. What about under the drum table between the sofa and love seat? You may have to re run your room correction software or manually change some settings after you change the location of the sub.

 

[jcparks]

thanks psb I really appreciate the response. The drum table is what killed the acoustics earlier today. The VTF 3 is out of my price range, especially in the rosewood flavor, and Im not sure the emp sub will be a huge upgrade, however you may be on to something with the cloth cover. That is exactly the kinda of stuff i was looking for. If the SVS PC12 goes on sell it would quite possibly look really decent underneath an attractive table cloth.

 

[shadyJ]

You wouldn't want to place a table cloth on the PC12, that would block the ports which would eliminate most of the deep frequency output. I would save up for the VTF3 in Rosenut and use it as an endtable, or maybe something like a Rosenut Hsu ULS-15 or gloss black Rythmik F15 or D15se. The Aperion Bravus 12d looks pretty nice and performance isn't terrible, although not quite on the level of an equivalently priced Hsu or SVS sub, and it isn't a huge sub. The standard satin black finish on the Hsu subs do not look that bad, you might consider a VTF2 mk4. I would skip the SVS 1000 subs, but the 2000s actually look to be very high performance for the dollar. Sorry to tell you this, but you just do not have the budget for a high performing subwoofer that also looks nice. Wait and save, if you throw away money on something right now for instant gratification, you will regret it, and it could cost you more money in the long run when you inevitably upgrade.

 

[markw]

A thin cloth covering the ports won't audibly affect it's performance. It may flutter in the wind but that's about it.

Grille cloth has been used successfully on speakers for decades now.

 

[rnatalli]

Aperion makes small, good-looking subs, but as Shady points out, they won't have the performance of some of the other brands mentioned.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

You might have to go to inwalls subs - not cheap and performance/per dollar is much worse, but hey - it's "invisible" now
Atlantic Technology :: IWTS-8e Sub
https://rbhsound.com/mcs88.php

 

[jcparks]

thank you guys for the suggestions but, even though its more then I wanted to spend, I think I really like the idea of the cylinder sub from SVS. I get a round board and set it on top, cover with a table cloth, and top it with an attractive fake orchid. When its time for a movie or music, i just pull that stuff off...
its the WAF idea of the year... thanks for your help guys.

 

[MidnightSensi2]

Cool.. one more option:

What about behind the side-wall couch? You can put a table behind it... then have the subwoofer below...would it fit under here?
LACK Sofa table - IKEA

Also would give you some room to move the subwoofer to get a best case scenario on that wall (versus only having the option of one corner).

 

[walter duque]

You can also look into something like this untitled3

 

[Alex2507]

Build your own and make 'em look any way you want.



I mean ...



I had a hard time finding your sub in that room, never mind finding something wrong with it. Actually the only thing I didn't like is that it looked so alone. Another one (which is in your budget) would look marv. Right now you're focused on that box but if you're like most you'll look at it less and less as time goes by. In a month you'll never notice.

I found that nearfield subs do better as symmetrically placed duals. I'm going to find you a TLS quote on size.

Reset your point of reference. Those subs are compact! Now enjoy them.

 

[walter duque]

That is some great work you did on that sub Alex.

 

[walter duque]

How about some down firing subs which can also be used as end tables.

 

[Alex2507]

He did mention a budget. Mine were actually free. Yours?

 

[3db]

How about this sub?

Rythmik Audio servo subwoofer 12" F12SE Signature Edition

 

[walter duque]

He did mention a budget. Mine were actually free. Yours?

Both $1050.00

 

[Alex2507]

Both $1050.00

I'm selling my truck. Order me 4.

Dang! That's outstanding! Rock on.

 

[walter duque]

I'm selling my truck. Order me 4.

Dang! That's outstanding! Rock on.

You know I always get a good deal. All it cost me is the whole sale cost of the drivers, cabinets where for free.


Subwoofer: Dual 15-Inch Isobaric
Connections: RCA line-level input (on external crossover box)
Enclosure Type: Vented Isobaric
Woofer (size in inches, type): 15, carbon/paper cone (2)
Power Rating: Non-powered—works with external amps from
40–1,200 watts
Crossover Bypass: Yes
Available Finishes: Oak, Black Oak, custom paint finishes
Dimensions (H x W x D, inches): 18 x 19.5 x 32
Weight (pounds): 165
Price: $5,295/each

 

[AcuDefTechGuy]

Yeah, aesthetic is a big deal for many people.

For my family room, I have four 12" Velodyne SC-600 IF/IC passive subwoofers powered by one $200 Dayton SA230 sub amp wired in series. Each sub measures 34"H x 14"W x 9"D. I just placed them BEHIND the 73" Mitsubishi DLP TV. Nobody even sees them.

Deep, clean bass that is out of sight.

http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/subwoofers/subwoofers-reviews/velodyne-icif-600-subwoofer.html

Unlike loudspeakers, I don't think subwoofers are significantly adversely affected by table cloths or other obscuring objects. Down-firing subwoofers sound just fine, yet they are pretty much "covered" up by the carpet/floor.

These subs were $600 MSRP back then. But you might be able to find them used/discontinued for $200-300 each.

 

[jcparks]

Wow guys thanks for all the response and ideas...
As of right now I still like the idea of the SVS cylinder, I think I can do some cool things with that. That Rythmic sub is friggin gorgeous for a black box though... I also may settle for the small SVS SB 2000 since I am already looking to pay more for the cylinder.
Alex: I have toyed with the idea of building my own sub woofer since watching this video a few years ago..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9vE7znacJAU
If I do this I may be able to design my own sub woofer/end table. I'll post any of my adventures here.
ADTG: That velodyne would be an awesome fit for the furnace slot in the living room... If I were to buy something like that later on down the road, do you think it would pair well with a regular sub? Here is a picture of the Floor furnace...

once again guys thanks for all of the advice... I will update later on this year..
-Chris