Just scored a nice used sub?

[bigbassdave]

I just got back from purchasing a used pair of Axiom QS8 surrounds from a guy on Craigslist. As I was there and looking around I noticed he had some nice stuff, Rotel, NAD, paradigm etc... He was selling all of it. As I was about to leave he asked if I was interested in his Paradigm PDR-12 v.3 I asked to hear it and it sounded pretty good to me in his place. I had very little time listening to it. He said $50 and it was mine. So I took it. I won't have time to set it up and put it through the paces until this weekend. I'm not expecting eath shattering base. I mean it only weights 37 lbs or so but I'm hoping it will be an upgrade from my Polk PSW505 that I have been using in my living room. Any thoughts or experiences with this sub? Thanks

 

[picture_shooter]

Damn thats a heck of a score for that Paradigm PDR-12!!

I know @ my local dealer, just for the PDR-10 they wanted $389.00 for it!!

As for my thoughts, it is better then your Polk

 

[bigbassdave]

Thanks for the input. That's really all I'm hoping for. The guy was super nice. He said he is selling all his stuff because he has as 3 year old and no time for watching movies. Said HT was his life for the past 10 years but now all priorities have changed. Making me think twice about having kids lol

 

[picture_shooter]

Thanks for the input. That's really all I'm hoping for. The guy was super nice. He said he is selling all his stuff because he has as 3 year old and no time for watching movies. Said HT was his life for the past 10 years but now all priorities have changed. Making me think twice about having kids lol

I have two kids (12 & 7) and it makes me stay more put at home watching movies

I bet he's upgrading

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Nice !! Awesome Deal !! ME= Envy !

 

[j_garcia]

PDRs aren't the best subs out there, but that is an EXCELLENT deal for practically any sub

 

[bigbassdave]

PDRs aren't the best subs out there, but that is an EXCELLENT deal for practically any sub

Judging by the built in power cable and the weight of the unit I figured it was a pretty entry level offering. I'm looking forward to doing a side by side comparo with the Polk

 

[AzN_plyR]

Nice score! Let us know your comparison or if you end up running them in duals

 

[Seth=L]

Paradigm PDR series are Paradigm's lowest end subwoofer offerings, but that doesn't mean they are bad. The PDR series has been offered for over 10 years, and all the while they release new versions of these subwoofers once every 2-3 years. It would have been wise to buy this subwoofer on resale value alone, the cabinet would be worth $50 to someone, if the whole subwoofer works, it's worth a lot more than that. ($150-250 respectively).

And yes, it's a better subwoofer than the Polk. I had a PDR-8 that was better than most Polk subwoofers, I liked that little subwoofer, I imagine the PDR-12 is pretty good.

 

[SJTrance]

Specs:
-Design: Single driver, bass reflex, high-velocity low-turbulence resistive
port, built-in amplifier
-Amplifier: High-Current, Discrete Output 150 watts RMS / 450 watts Peak
-Amplifier Design Features: Auto-On / Standby, soft clipping
-Bass Driver: 305-mm (12 in) carbon-fiber-reinforced composite cone, 51-mm
(2 in) voice coil
-Low Frequency Extension: 24 Hz (DIN)*
-Subwoofer Cutoff Frequency: Variable 50 Hz - 150 Hz
-Line Level Input: From Sub-Out / LFE-Out of receiver / processor or other
line-level source
-Line Level Input Sensitivity: 100mV
-Line Level Input Impedance: 15K ohms

The numbers sound good, but only you would be able to tell us what sounds better. I think the idea of running both subs would be a great idea to try out. Manage out the phase of the two subs and you'll be able to get a nice rich sound. I don't know if this sub has a phase level adjustment at all... does it?

 

[gmichael]

Thanks for the input. That's really all I'm hoping for. The guy was super nice. He said he is selling all his stuff because he has as 3 year old and no time for watching movies. Said HT was his life for the past 10 years but now all priorities have changed. Making me think twice about having kids lol

Great deal! BTW, when we had a kid, I sold my Harley and upgraded the HT system.

 

[bigbassdave]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Running two subs in my living room is probably out of the question as I need to keep the decibel level down in my condo. I'm more concerned with how accurate it sounds and how low it plays.
I plan on comparing the two tomorrow or Sunday. As far as the phase adjustment I'm not sure if it has one or not. The settings on the amp appeared to be very limited. I'm at work now or I would check.

 

[SJTrance]

Thanks to everyone for the input. Running two subs in my living room is probably out of the question as I need to keep the decibel level down in my condo. I'm more concerned with how accurate it sounds and how low it plays.
I plan on comparing the two tomorrow or Sunday. As far as the phase adjustment I'm not sure if it has one or not. The settings on the amp appeared to be very limited. I'm at work now or I would check.

You may have the wrong idea about running two subs together. Sure, you will have an increase in sound, but you may effectively fill all the nulls in the space with two subs. Having two subs won't make them play lower either. All I'm saying is... try them together as well as apart and see what you think. Dial them in correctly and you may find that the sound may be more full round and spread out more evenly around the room. Check out this article for a better explanation.

http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/two-subs


And then, read this:

http://www.audioholics.com/tweaks/get-good-bass/multiple-subwoofer-setup-calibration-1

 

[bigbassdave]

I understand that adding subs does not change how low they play. I was however, under the impression that adding subs will increase volume?

 

[SJTrance]

I understand that adding subs does not change how low they play. I was however, under the impression that adding subs will increase volume?

Sure, it would increase the volume, but that's only if you keep the volume raised. Whatever you do, you wouldn't just throw a sub on and just leave it unadjusted, would you? I can't say how your current sub sounds in your room, or how the new one does, but give them both a run and see if you like it. It may end up giving you a smoother sound with less luls in the room. You can tune in or out the spikes and dips with this setup and have a very clean tone. Just try it out and let us know what you think. I'm curious to know what you think. The only thing is that you might have to purchase another subwoofer cable. Of course, you can try it and if it doesn't work you can return the cable to a brick and mortar store.

 

[bigbassdave]

I'll probably try it behind my couch. My polk is currently by the front speakers. I will let you know how it sounds for certain. I remember a few years back I lived in an old house with a crawl space. I added a second psw505 and got multiple complaints from nearby neighbors. Of course I admit that at that time I was in my early twenties and I was trying to see how hard I could push it. Man I wish living in a house. Of course now that I mention it I kind of miss being in my early twenties!

 

[SJTrance]

I live in a studio apartment in NYC with a VTF-3 MK3 from Hsu. I can dial it down and have a very rich sound while still not being too intrusive. Even at low volumes, nice subwoofer tuning can make the sound rich and round without being too crazy.