Selecting a subwoofer that integrates best with my system

[DannyA]

I have read many of the reviews and technical posts here on the topic of subwoofers. It is really good information but I am still not sure which subwoofer would be the "best fit" for my system.

My system is in a fairly large basement. I listen to all kinds of music but primarily classic and hard rock. I tend to like more of a richer, mid-range type of sound. Here is what I am looking for.

1. Under $1000.00 (Don't laugh)
2. Designed for MUSIC FIRST! All music not just pop and rock. I like good sound for movies but music comes first.
3. Must sound good at mid-bass (not sure if that makes sense). I'm not looking for something that just rattles the room.
4. Must match well with my existing system.
5. Size of unit not an issue.

My system:

Receiver = Yamaha RX-V3800
Center = Definitive Technology CS-8060 HD
Fronts = Definitive Technology BP7000s
Surround = Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 1000s

I've read some reviews on the Definitive Technology Super Cube 6000 but I wasn't impressed with the reviews especially when they mentioned the mid-bass is weak. It seems that popular opinion says that you don't need to match the subwoofer brand so I'm not worried about having to buy a DT product just to have matching speakers.

Thanks in advance!

 

[zhimbo]

Define "fairly large".

 

[ImcLoud]

How about a https://www.svsound.com/dual-subwoofers/dual-sb-1000#.UmbmA_lJPLc ....

 

[DannyA]

Define "fairly large".

Sorry. I will get exact measurements tonight and post them tomorrow.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

at this budget and "fairly large" and likely open basement - i'd rec for HSU VTF-15H
Sub doesn't have to match your speakers. You'd get much MUCH better products for your money from ID brands like HSU and SVS mentioned above.
$1000 is not funny budget, in fact you can get pretty great sub from ID brands and will blend nicely with your existing speakers
the key is AVR settings and sub placement

 

[j_garcia]

Unless your room is massive, I think this would handle it: POWER SOUND AUDIO — XV15-Base Since you are more concerned about music however, you're likely going to want a sealed sub. If the room IS massive, maybe the XS30 and if not massive, maybe just and XS15.

Next up might be the VTF-3 MK4 Subwoofer Should handle a very large room and can be tuned for output (at the expense of extension) vs extension.

Rythmik used to have a few that would probably have fit the bill too, but they are phasing a few of them out. You might want to give them a call and see if they have something on clearance. Rythmik Audio • Servo subwoofer products

The "midrange" should be coming from the 7000s, not the sub. Cross them lower and provide them with adequate power and you should not really have an issue.

 

[shadyJ]

If you can do a wee bit of assembly yourself, check this kit out. It has two very good low distortion drivers, plenty of power, and an inert cabinet. That is a recipe for excellent sound quality. The disadvantages are its big, and heavy, and doesn't have as long of a warranty, but I would believe that its sound quality could be unmatched by anything at $1k and below. Next to that I would look at a Hsu VTF3 mk4. Lots of output and terrific frequency response. It can be easily adjusted to your taste, whether you want deep bass or more powerful mid bass, it's up to you. It's using a good driver and a clever design, and has terrific sound quality.

 

[lsiberian]

OP why not get the rattle and sound quality?

 

[DannyA]

If you can do a wee bit of assembly yourself, check this kit out. It has two very good low distortion drivers, plenty of power, and an inert cabinet. That is a recipe for excellent sound quality. The disadvantages are its big, and heavy, and doesn't have as long of a warranty, but I would believe that its sound quality could be unmatched by anything at $1k and below. Next to that I would look at a Hsu VTF3 mk4. Lots of output and terrific frequency response. It can be easily adjusted to your taste, whether you want deep bass or more powerful mid bass, it's up to you. It's using a good driver and a clever design, and has terrific sound quality.

I may take on a project like that in the future but I think I'm going to stick to the factory manufactured on this one. I really like the idea of it though. I've actually got two sets of Def Tech mid-range speakers sitting in a box. I'll probably build those for my first project.

 

[DannyA]

I have an opportunity to listen to a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000w. It's $995.00 and seems to be a good fit. Although overall the reviews were good, some of the reviews mentioned some quality issues AND it is made in China. Their web site does not indicate where it is manufactured so I can't confirm that. Any advice or recommendation on this sub would be great as I'm really leaning towards this sub.

 

[shadyJ]

It's bigger brother was recently reviewed here and it did pretty well but not fantastic for the price. Unless you really needed something small and in gloss black, I would skip it. I wouldn't expect it to dramatically outperform the SVS SB12 which is much cheaper. For a small, glass black sub which might be better and cheaper, you might check out the Aperion Bravus 12D. If you can handle a larger sub, the Hsu VTF3 would be much better. If you don't want quite that large, check out this Dayton Titanic 4 sealed 15". That driver is a beast. In terms of performance, I think it would just kill the ML1000 and 1500X. There is a kit version which is $150 less, but it isn't in stock at the moment.

 

[DannyA]

A couple of updates. I'm a little embarrassed about #1. because I never measured my room. It turns out my room is NOT a large room. It is barley a medium room. There is a lot of empty space and it makes it seem bigger than it is. I'm working on adding more sound absorbing material.

1. Room = 1600 cu ft.
2. I can spend a little more than $1000.00 now. I was able to convince my wife of the critical nature of such a purchase.
3. I'm considering purchasing 2 subs (1 for now. add the second later).
4. I'm considering adding 1, bigger, stronger sub and 2 mid-bass speakers.

My appointment to listen to the Martin Logan was canceled. That's okay because I decided to look at other options.
Some have strongly suggested 2 subs for music as they may blend better and offer better positioning options. This would actually be a good option as it would allow me to spread the cost out over several weeks.
I only had one person recommend the option of one powerful sub and two mid-bass speakers. This has some appeal. It may help blend and give more of that deeper mid-range I like. I don't know if this is even a viable option. I have not researched any mid-bass speakers yet because I want to get more advice on that option.

SVS Options:
2 x SB12-NSD = $1199.00
1 x SB13-Ultra = $1599.00 (a little more than I want to spend but...)

Power Audio Sound Options:
2 x XS 15 = $1498.00
1 x XS 30 = XS 30 = $1149.00

HSU Research Options:
2 x ULS-15 = $2049.00 (I would have to wait a couple of months to add the second)
1 x VTF-15H = $879.00 (Great value but I'm not sure this is the best sub for my music)

 

[its phillip]

A pair of XS15s would be $1,423.10, actually. A pair of PC12-NSDs would be $1,399.00 if you were interested in looking at that. I think all of your options are good. Something else worth looking at might be a pair of HSU VTF-2s.

 

[DannyA]

A pair of XS15s would be $1,423.10, actually. A pair of PC12-NSDs would be $1,399.00 if you were interested in looking at that. I think all of your options are good. Something else worth looking at might be a pair of HSU VTF-2s.

I got the prices off the mfg web sites. SVS is offering a discount for dual subs. So would the VTF-2s be the equivalent of mid-bass speakers?

 

[its phillip]

So did I. PSA gives a discount on multisub purchases, similar to SVS.

No, the VTF-2s are not mid-bass speakers. They are subwoofers. Little brothers to the VTF-15H. They won't get as loud or as deep, but they are very capable at their price point.
VTF-2 MK4 Subwoofer

 

[shadyJ]

From that group of options, the best would be dual ULS-15s, but of course it's the most expensive. Two SB12s would be good if you don't need the system to get real loud. Two VTF2s or VTF3s would also make a great system. I would skip the single sub solution, yo are likely to end up with cancellations that would be difficult to EQ out. I would also avoid a big sub and mid-bass sub for the time being. I would add a mid bass sub later if you feel that the mid bass is missing. A mid bass sub is like a correction to a problem, I would wait to make sure there is actually a problem first.

 

[afterlife2]

Check this guys review on svs website:
(Monday, 12 August 2013)
Rating:

I have had the pb-1000 for a couple months now, and I have only good things to say. First of all, I have this sub in a VERY large room (4300 cubic feet). I am running the sub with the newer B & W M1 satellites and have my crossover set to 100hz. The whole system is running on a Pioneer 1222k. Anyway, my max listening level on blu-rays is about -19db. I am hesitant to go any louder because my receiver has a higher wpc output than my sats are rated for, so I don't want to over extend the speakers. Regardless, in my opinion, it's pretty loud at that volume. Let's just say that the pb-1000 blends with these satellites beautifully and digs very deep considering my very large room. I have not heard any distortion or port chuff coming from the sub at the volume I have been listening at. I feel that I could definitely listen cleanly at higher volumes with the sub, but again, I don't want to over-drive my sats. I don't know if the SVS reps could attest to this, but I feel the smaller, 10-inch driver on this sub helps it blend very nicely with fast, smaller speakers (4 inch woofers on the M-1's). My only problem with the sub is that I am not sure if I want to ever take advantage of SVS's upgrade policy. I feel that this sub works well with my setup, but I still wonder what the pb12 nsd might sound like. Although it may dig deeper at louder volumes, I'm afraid I might lose some of that great transient response with the pb-1000. Either way, this is a good problem to have! Overall, this is a great sub at an unbeatable price. I recommend every potential SVS customer start with this one or the sb-1000 because most don't realize that the two entry-level models are enough and more. Hats off for the great customer support of SVS as well!

​

 

[DannyA]

I've decided to go with two PSA XS 15s. I ordered the first one today and I'll order the second in a couple of weeks. I have 30 days to try it out but I'm pretty sure I won't need to send it back. I'll post my results when I get it. Woo Hoo! Can't wait!