Musical Sub around $1000

[Fowl]

Here is two black cylinders from SVS behind the mains.

If that doesn't look cool I am uncertain what does...

That is really, really cool.

 

[Tomorrow]

Jim Salk can build exquisite speakers, including subs. I believe he'll build Rythmiks for you, too.

http://www.salksound.com/

 

[davidjschenk]

Hi everyone,

I too am looking for the best dual purpose subwoofer for under $1000. I've been looking at SVS, HSU and Epik, of course, but I'm also looking hard at REL right now. Can anyone speak to the relative quality of the REL-T1? I have a small-ish room (~2300 cubic feet) in a townhouse, so a big, pounding, super-powered sub is not what I need. I want accuracy, but please understand that I will never be playing movies or music at reference volume levels. My neighbors would call the cops within minutes.

So how about it? Can anyone say how the T1s stack up? I do really like the look of the Epik Empire, especially with all its anti-vibration measures. Advice?

Yours,

David

 

[krzywica]

Hi everyone,

I too am looking for the best dual purpose subwoofer for under $1000. I've been looking at SVS, HSU and Epik, of course, but I'm also looking hard at REL right now. Can anyone speak to the relative quality of the REL-T1? I have a small-ish room (~2300 cubic feet) in a townhouse, so a big, pounding, super-powered sub is not what I need. I want accuracy, but please understand that I will never be playing movies or music at reference volume levels. My neighbors would call the cops within minutes.

So how about it? Can anyone say how the T1s stack up? I do really like the look of the Epik Empire, especially with all its anti-vibration measures. Advice?

Yours,

David

You have crappy neighbors....

 

[ohskigod]

here's my vote

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-760

the Dayton Titanic kits are very musical (I used the drivers for DIY in a music sub that sounded great). These kits from what i hear are very musical and it kit form (put together yourself) are a great bang for the buck. Don't let the kit scare you, its pretty easy to put together.

the link is the 10" kit but the have a 12" and 15" as well.

this will also wet your whistle for DIY subs.......which, to me, are an epic win when bang for buck is a motivating factor (along with having a little fun in this hobby)

either way, this kit is a cakewalk to assemble

 

[sholling]

Hi everyone,

I too am looking for the best dual purpose subwoofer for under $1000. I've been looking at SVS, HSU and Epik, of course, but I'm also looking hard at REL right now. Can anyone speak to the relative quality of the REL-T1? I have a small-ish room (~2300 cubic feet) in a townhouse, so a big, pounding, super-powered sub is not what I need. I want accuracy, but please understand that I will never be playing movies or music at reference volume levels. My neighbors would call the cops within minutes.

So how about it? Can anyone say how the T1s stack up? I do really like the look of the Epik Empire, especially with all its anti-vibration measures. Advice?

Yours,

David

For a space that size you have lots of choices but I think I'd be looking for something that didn't eat up a lot of floor space. An option that I considered for my 3000cuft master bedroom was eD's A5s-300. It's a very compact 12" front firing 500w sealed sub that reaches below 20hz and that should be just about right for a room that size. I didn't get to hear one but they have a good reputation and you can get one for $550 (should be plenty) or two for $1000 - the downside is that waits can be long. You might also want to check with Hsu and see if they have any b-stock ULS-15s in stock. The b-stock (when available) is about $100 over budget but are rated for 15-200hz +-1.5db yet are quite small and I know from 1st hand experience work comfortably in 3000+cuft. What I would avoid are down firing subs on a bare floor or rear ported subs pounding a neighbor's shared wall, or a box that takes up half the room.

 

[BrennanB]

My thoughts exactly, in further narrowing down the criteria floor space is important since I would like to go with 2 x subs and I do have neighbors very close but luckily the wall all of the speakers are on is the opposite wall.

One thing that is driving me a little crazy is that the HSU VTF-2 MK3 and VTF-3 MK3 walnut versions which is the wood I want are on sale.

So I could get

2 x VTF-2 MK3 for $1080 + ship
2 x VTF-3 MK3 for $1318 + ship

but I had pretty much made up my mind on 2 x Rythmik F12. So many great things about Rythmik and I do like supporting smaller companies like this.

But the price difference...

2 x F12 = 1600 + ship


Thanks guys for obsessing over this with me, this is a big purchase. I typically have 1000+ to spend on AV once a year besides small 100-200 purchases. Next purchase is rears and then upgrade my center from a HTM2 to a HTM1.

So I have read alot of F12\F15 vs. VTF-2 MK3\VTF-3 MK3 and most seem to point to Rythmik. Anymore Rythmik vs. HSU opinions specific to my situation to stop the agony

SQ and the ability to integrate well reign supreme.

 

[Chopin_Guy]

Since you say SQ and the ability integrate reign supreme as priorities with your sub upgrade -- the Rythmik is going to be the way to go for sure. I know I had aVTF-2 in my office system briefly and thought it was ok....the sound quality did not impress me too much. It certainly had more extension and output capability to my ears -- which is to be expected with a ported sub in that price range.

Mind you I have never heard the Rythmik, but from what I have read on them and compared to my own experience with the VTF-2, a pair of F12's is a no brainer. Yes it's more expensive but will give you excellent SQ and even room response...

My $.02...

 

[BrennanB]

Since you say SQ and the ability integrate reign supreme as priorities with your sub upgrade -- the Rythmik is going to be the way to go for sure. I know I had aVTF-2 in my office system briefly and thought it was ok....the sound quality did not impress me too much. It certainly had more extension and output capability to my ears -- which is to be expected with a ported sub in that price range.

Mind you I have never heard the Rythmik, but from what I have read on them and compared to my own experience with the VTF-2, a pair of F12's is a no brainer. Yes it's more expensive but will give you excellent SQ and even room response...

My $.02...

That's the exact feeling I got from others. That helps my decision

 

[krzywica]

Bottom line is if you want SQ over output sealed is always the way to go in every application I have ever seen. Ported (especially circular ports) will always compromise SQ even when done right.

 

[davidjschenk]

Thanks for all the advice, guys. It turns out I'm actually going to get a Velodyne Optimum 10. I have a dear friend in the business and he's giving me just an insane deal on the thing, so I couldn't pass it up. I do quite like the sound of the Optimums, too. My guess is, had I bought one of the internet-direct subs, I would have landed myself a stellar sub, but it would have cost a fair bit more. Thanks very much again for all the advice; Audioholics looks to be a very serious and informative forum.

Yours,

David

 

[BrennanB]

Both subs will be about 30 feet away from the av rack so I am going to put in two subwoofer drops. Do you guys know of any good subwoofer cables for a run this long that isnt going to break the bank.

My thought is BJC LC-1 from Blue Jeans

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/index.htm

 

[Chopin_Guy]

You got it right with the BlueJeans cables -- thats the way to go...

 

[jostenmeat]

Both subs will be about 30 feet away from the av rack so I am going to put in two subwoofer drops. Do you guys know of any good subwoofer cables for a run this long that isnt going to break the bank.

My thought is BJC LC-1 from Blue Jeans

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/store/subwoofer/index.htm

I've spent a lot of money with both BJC and Monoprice, and I prefer the latter. BJC is particularly expensive with their analog cables. HDMI, fine, but check out the pricing first I guess . . .

2x 35' cables = less than $16 at monoprice.
http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=102&cp_id=10236&cs_id=1023603&p_id=3976&seq=1&format=2

A SINGLE sub cable of 35' at BJC have prices of $53, $55, $69, or $87.

 

[Whitey80]

here's my vote

http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=300-760

the Dayton Titanic kits are very musical (I used the drivers for DIY in a music sub that sounded great). These kits from what i hear are very musical and it kit form (put together yourself) are a great bang for the buck. Don't let the kit scare you, its pretty easy to put together.

the link is the 10" kit but the have a 12" and 15" as well.

this will also wet your whistle for DIY subs.......which, to me, are an epic win when bang for buck is a motivating factor (along with having a little fun in this hobby)

either way, this kit is a cakewalk to assemble

I agree wholeheartedly. I use the 15" Titanic and absolutely love it.