Need Advice On Best Small Subwoofers

[mckim]

Due to space limitations, I can only use a subwoofer whose width is less than 14 inches with a depth of no more than 16 inches. I need to stay under $700. So far I have narrowed the options to the 1) Velodyne MINIVEE 10, 2) Velodyne MINI VEE, 3) Infinity PS 10, 4) Klipsch RW - 10d, 5) Klipsch KSW-10, and 6) the ORB Audio Uber 10. Looking for recommendations or critiques of these six subs. Would also welcome suggestions about any other subwoofers that meet my size limiations that I may have overlooked.

 

[Adam]

Welcome to the forum!

Do you have a height restriction? You may also want to consider a cylindrical sub, like those offered by SVS (www.svsound.com). I also had a footprint restriction, got an SVS cylinder, and am very happy with it. The smaller the footprint, the taller they are, though.

Adam

 

[trnqk7]

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-sb12plus.cfm

Supposed to be pretty good-charcoal black comes in at $699. Just a little over your range is the Sunfire HRS-12, it's also very small. I think there's a 10" in the Sunfire as well, it may fit in the budget.

Both of those subs have gotten pretty favorable reviews. I have not heard of any of the subs you listed, at least not specifically. Just a couple more options I guess

 

[GlocksRock]

Velodyne makes some nice really small subs, as well as the SVS SB12.

 

[InTheIndustry]

The Sunfire HRS-10 is an AMAZING subwoofer and it retails at $800, so getting in under $700 is possible with that product. Or, the HRS-8, which MSRP's @ $700, is another alternative for you. Either piece is phenominal.

The Sunfire HRS series is new from Sunfire and is the best subwoofer line under $1500 that I can find for my company's theatre & smaller surround sound projects. The entire line is fabulous and I can say that after 9 years "InTheIndustry", the line stands out to me as a real "WOW!" piece.

I'm also a Klipsch dealer and can tell you, without reservation, that the Sunfire HRS-10 destroys - in all aspects - the models you listed from them. In fact, I would go with the Sunfire HRS-10 all the way up until the Klipsch RT-10D (MSRP $1600), in which case you could buy 2 HRS-10 subwoofers, which would STILL be the way to go for better in-room performance. My point being: It's a phenominal product that out performs anything I've ever found in it's price class by an enormous margin while still being very close or better than many subwoofers above it.

By the way, did I mention that it's 11.5" x 11.5" x 11.5". It will fit your space, no problem!

As far as the Velodyne pieces you mentioned: The rep gave me a sample of the MINIVEE to try for a few weeks and it was just OK. Nothing to write home about in my opinion. I did NOT care for it's build quality.

 

[mckim]

Yes, my height restriction is 20".

 

[mckim]

Thanks for the additional options, most of them 12's. Trouble is I have yet to encounter a 12 that was less than 14" wide without being overly deep for my needs.

 

[mckim]

The Sunfire 10" sounds like an excellent choice, especialkly as I take it you are not a Sunfire dealer. Coulkd you tell me a little about who makes Sunfore and where, and what it is about their subwoofer that gives them such an edge? Many thanks...your reply was most helpful. Mckim

 

[InTheIndustry]

The Sunfire 10" sounds like an excellent choice, especialkly as I take it you are not a Sunfire dealer. Coulkd you tell me a little about who makes Sunfore and where, and what it is about their subwoofer that gives them such an edge? Many thanks...your reply was most helpful. Mckim

Actually, I AM a Sunfire dealer.... DO NOT WORRY, I'm not trying to sell you anything. I think that the fact that I'm a dealer works to your (and sometimes other forum members) benefit: I only comment on my experiences working with different products & their applications. The name of my company is not on this site anywhere nor do I mention it because I enjoy & need the anonymity of the web to leave me free truly help people without possible repercussions from manufacturers. I assure you that Sunfire does not pay me, nor do they give me ANYTHING for posting in forums. They don’t even know that I do it. No company does. I'm not here trying to sway you to buy something as it doesn't personally benefit me in anyway. This is still a hobby for me and I enjoy using my experience to possibly help others where I can. I just saw your post & since I run into this subwoofer problem all the time, figured I could offer some suggestions.

Also, the HRS-12 (Sunfire's 12" HRS model) is 13.5" x 13.5" x 13.5" & will meet your requirement of less than 14". However, I did not mention it because it comes in possibly too far above your budget with an MSRP of $900.

About Sunfire: www.sunfire.com . They were based out of Washington State but just recently were relocated to Kentucky. Bob Carver (Google him) designs their products. Recently they were purchased by another company called Nortek under the Elan brand subsidiary. Nortek also owns several other brands of audio equipment: Sunfire, Niles, Xantech, HomeLogic, Speakercraft, and many many more. Look here: http://www.nortek-inc.com/companys.htm , particularly under the "Linear LLC" section.

As far as what gives them the "edge" you'll have to check that out yourself. Bob Carver designed something called a "High Back - emf" woofer and it works extremely well. Here is a link to the HRS page on Sunfire's website: http://sunfire.com/HRS.htm . The rest of the work is up to you. I know Audioholics did a review of the HRS-12 12" subwoofer. I suggest you check that out too if you'd like to learn more.

Happy hunting for your sub!

 

[mckim]

Hi In the Industry,

Now that's service. Thanks for the wonderfully detailed and informed response. Curious: What is your number #1 reviewing website for av in terms of a) range of options and b) trust?

 

[InTheIndustry]

Hi In the Industry,

Now that's service. Thanks for the wonderfully detailed and informed response. Curious: What is your number #1 reviewing website for av in terms of a) range of options and b) trust?

Well, I have different needs than your typical consumer, so that question's tough for me to answer. I'm always my best reviewer. If I want to know about a product, I just call and either get a sample, or get one at a very serious discount from even my dealer cost. So, I don't really put too much stock in reviews from a "real world" use perspective. I need to try it, see it, feel it myself to fully understand a product. NO MATTER WHO MAKES IT! The one time I bought speakers based off of a review & sales rep's suggestion I got burned to the tune of what was roughly $6Kish retail. Never again!

I will tell you this: I really like to read about everything industry related as long as it's well written. Whether or not I agree with the reviewer or not doesn't matter. There's usually at least something that I can learn. But, if the article is just based around a lot of sensationalism (good or bad) I tend to shy away from it.

In my trial & error learning & comparing, I have found not one reviewer who's right all the time.

A really neat way to find some cool review sites is to find manufacturers websites that have links to reviews on them. Then, search THOSE sites that the manufacturers link for products you might want to learn about.

Here are some examples:

http://www.energy-speakers.com/v2/awards/product-reviews.php

http://www.psbspeakers.com/reviews

http://sunfire.com/reviews.htm

After clicking the links above, you can find all sorts of different online publications that review audio equipment and then go search those from there.

Not all, but a great many manufacturer's websites have review pages with links. You might have to search around, though, as they sometimes aren't in plain site.

Enjoy!

 

[mckim]

Went on line to Sunfire and coudn't find any MSRPs. Same with Paradigm.

 

[jamie2112]

Went on line to Sunfire and coudn't find any MSRPs. Same with Paradigm.

I think that most of the higher end companies want to send you to a pre disposed dealer for prices and haggling.

 

[tn001d]

Did you check the Paradigm Ultracube 10? I think the MSRP is $800, but usually you can get the on sale for 10-15% off. Its well within you size parameters (12-15/16 in x 11-7/16 in x 11-7/16 in)

I have heard sunfire subs and they are amazing for there size, but i dont know there prices.

Klipsch subs are pretty decent and are built well (made in USA). I used to own the KSW-10 model and was happy with it in a small room. For larger rooms you would need a bigger model or at least 2 of them. You could easily get two KSW-10's for your budget. I can only assume the reference Klipsh RW-10D is only better, buy its dimension are too big for you (Height 17.8 x Width 12.5 x Depth 19 in)

The KSW-12 is on sale right now for $300 (onecall.com) Its just a tad larger than your requirments but would make a substantial difference than the 10 inch version. Its measurements are: 15 x 17 x 15 inches (DxHxW)