Rythmik FV15HP vs. Power Sound XV15

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H

hjustin

Audioholic
Hey, guys.

I will finally be ordering a new subwoofer on Friday, upgrading my Paradigm PS-1000. I am leaning strongly towards the Power Sound XV15, even though Audioholics has not reviewed it yet. My total cost for this sub is $850 (have to pay Ohio sales tax).

I also have the option to purchase a Rythmik FV15HP for $950 from someone locally...would just have to go pick it up. The sub supposedly only has about 10 hours on it and the warranty is transferable with the original invoice.

So I ask you experts, is the Rythmik $100 better than the Power Sound?

Thank you.
 
Matt34

Matt34

Moderator
That's a tough call but I would probably would get the Rythmik for it's flexibility of settings.
 
Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
hjustin said:
So I ask you experts, is the Rythmik $100 better than the Power Sound?
Click to expand...
In terms of raw output capabilities, I'd say yes; the Rythmik is likely to have a big advantage.

Tom is good enough to provide CEA 2010 2 meter ratings, and for the big honker XV30 with dual 15" woofers, low bass (63-40Hz) averages 119.1dB and ultra low bass (31.5-20Hz) averages 111.3dB.

The Rythmik has been measured by Josh Ricci, and compares extremely well. The FV15HP (simple) averages 119.1dB at 63-40Hz and 112.7dB at 31.5-20Hz with two ports open.

Suffice it to say, if the Rythmik can hold its own against the XV15's big brother, I'd expect it to be worth $100 over the XV15.
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
The controls on the Rythmik look a little scary compared to my Paradigm. I suppose I could get some help with it if needed...

 
Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
hjustin said:
The controls on the Rythmik look a little scary compared to my Paradigm. I suppose I could get some help with it if needed...
Click to expand...
At worst, five minutes on the phone with Brian to get everything up and running, and you're set. Really though, a good chunk of the controls are rendered moot by modern receivers.
 
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
Yeah, those controls are all "set and forget" (except maybe the volume)!
We (or Brian) can give you the defaults.
However, if you have a situation where you can use the added flexibility you would be SOL with most other subs.
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
I need to see if the documentation is available for download. I'm curious as to what the Rumble Filter is.

Oh! I see it says "High Definition Bass". I like that it's high def like my TV. Although I hope its not 720p. ;)
 
Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
KEW

KEW

Audioholic Overlord
hjustin said:
I need to see if the documentation is available for download. I'm curious as to what the Rumble Filter is.

Oh! I see it says "High Definition Bass". I like that it's high def like my TV. Although I hope its not 720p. ;)
Click to expand...
The term "Rumble Filter" is associated with turntable rumble (very low frequency signal from the turntable mechanism - not part of the recorded signal).
With a turntable and a full range speaker you would see your woofer hop with no resulting sound! The rumble filter would cut off frequencies below around 20Hz so the amp and speaker are not wasting the effort.

You would probably leave this off for HT LFE signals, but if you are using the subs for music only, turn it on.

Much of Rythmik's uniqueness stems from Brian having a music hi-fi bias (but none of it gets in the way of HT).

Edit: After checking Steve's link, I see the rumble filter is also used by this model Rythmik as a safety system depending on the ports in use. I had not really looked at their ported models and did not know this!
 
Steve81

Steve81

Audioholics Five-0
KEW said:
Edit: After checking Steve's link, I see the rumble filter is also used by this model Rythmik as a safety system depending on the ports in use. I had not really looked at their ported models and did not know this!
Click to expand...
It's not really much different than any other variable tune subwoofer. If you've got a sub tuned to 18Hz, you don't really want to send full power transients at 12Hz, as you're just going to end up beating the driver to death and creating distortion. Of course, if you can tune your sub to 12Hz ala the Rythmik, by all means, feed it some 12Hz action! Of course, even tuned at 12Hz, I'd expect the FV15HP to have some filters to protect it against content below tuning.
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
Thank you for the input, gentlemen.

I've read everything I can find on the XV15. Information is still scarce given how new they are to the market. Lots of praise for the Rythmik FV15HP though, and lots of reviews.
 
R

raynist

Junior Audioholic
Where at you in Ohio? If you can pick up the XV15 they will probably save you the shipping that is built into the price.
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
raynist said:
Where at you in Ohio? If you can pick up the XV15 they will probably save you the shipping that is built into the price.
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I'm in a suburb of Dayton. According to Google Maps, it's about a 4 hour drive but I probably drive a lot faster than the speed they use to make that calculation. :eek:

But that's a good point...I don't mind making a day trip out of it if the savings is significant enough.

I do not know the person selling the Rythmik FV15HP. He wants to meet me somewhere and the sub is boxed up so I can't verify that it works before handing over $950 in cash. Apparently he has no presence on any of the online audio/home theater communities. He's basically selling an entire audio system consisting of the sub, Polk speakers, and a few Emotiva pieces. If I go this route, I'm just going to have to trust that it's in good working order. I'd hate to buy it, having problems, and then have to mess with shipping it for service.
 
macddmac

macddmac

Audioholic General
hjustin said:
I'm in a suburb of Dayton. According to Google Maps, it's about a 4 hour drive but I probably drive a lot faster than the speed they use to make that calculation. :eek:

But that's a good point...I don't mind making a day trip out of it if the savings is significant enough.

I do not know the person selling the Rythmik FV15HP. He wants to meet me somewhere and the sub is boxed up so I can't verify that it works before handing over $950 in cash. Apparently he has no presence on any of the online audio/home theater communities. He's basically selling an entire audio system consisting of the sub, Polk speakers, and a few Emotiva pieces. If I go this route, I'm just going to have to trust that it's in good working order. I'd hate to buy it, having problems, and then have to mess with shipping it for service.
Click to expand...
The only thing that sounds legit about that deal is the price..
No audition, no deal!
Cheers, Mac
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
I may also have the option to buy a pair of Outlaw LFM-1 EXes for $800. That probably wouldn't be too bad either.
 
H

hjustin

Audioholic
macddmac said:
The only thing that sounds legit about that deal is the price..
No audition, no deal!
Cheers, Mac
Click to expand...
He moved to an apartment which is too small for all his gear. That's why he's selling. And why I can't audition the gear.
 
its phillip

its phillip

Audioholic Ninja
Yeah, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. That's a killer price on an FV15HP, but I wouldn't meet somewhere and hand over that much money to an unknown guy to buy something in unknown condition.
 
J

Jeff R.

Audioholic General
hjustin said:
I may also have the option to buy a pair of Outlaw LFM-1 EXes for $800. That probably wouldn't be too bad either.
Click to expand...
If it was me....I would chose this option. Dual LFM's could really do some damage and having dual sub will help balance out room response......not to mention it is cheaper!!
 
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