Servo sub for dedicated music system.

[Whitey80]

After having moved from my KEF's to maggies for my 2 channel system, I am now definitely going to have to add a subwoofer for a little more extension.

From what I have gathered, a sealed servo controlled unit will be my best choice for tight, accurate performance. I have read through old threads that go into the details of how they work and what the benefits, etc. are.

Any thoughts or recommendations on specific models? I am wanting to stay under a 12", 10" is more desirable due to space and that music doesn't dip as low in frequency as what I need for my theater use, and not wanting it to take center stage, appearance-wise.

 

[its phillip]

The subs I'd be looking at would be Rythmiks, but they don't have anything smaller than 12" :/

 

[kesando]

Despite lacking servo technology, the Emotiva Ultra 10 is said to be an oustanding 10" sub for music that happens to be affordable too. BTW I disagree that subs NEED servo control to sound tight and detailed. There are many subs that do just fine without it. SVsounds DSP tech comes to mind for example.

Here is a link to the Emotiva Ultra 10:

http://emotiva.com/ultra_sub10.shtm

BTW SVS will be releasing a small 10" DSP sub in the near future as well

 

[Pyrrho]

Don't get caught up in the issue of size. What matters is performance, not the physical size of the driver. I would go with something like this (or perhaps a higher model if your budget allows), and set the crossover as low as reasonably possible for the Magnepan speakers.

 

[jostenmeat]

After having moved from my KEF's to maggies for my 2 channel system, I am now definitely going to have to add a subwoofer for a little more extension.

From what I have gathered, a sealed servo controlled unit will be my best choice for tight, accurate performance. I have read through old threads that go into the details of how they work and what the benefits, etc. are.

Any thoughts or recommendations on specific models? I am wanting to stay under a 12", 10" is more desirable due to space and that music doesn't dip as low in frequency as what I need for my theater use, and not wanting it to take center stage, appearance-wise.

I think to cut to the chase, you should think about and list the dimension limits, rather than focusing solely on the driver size. And then the budget.

If it was me, the first thing I might do with said budget is head straight to the DIY forum and ask annunaki to model me something.

I wonder what he could do with a JL 8", and I'm curious how severe (or not) the limitations would be, and the performance:cost:size ratios, you know, subjectively. How does the saying go: good, cheap, small, pick two? Maybe dual 8" subs, for the approximate price of one Rhythmik?

 

[cschang]

Despite lacking servo technology, the Emotiva Ultra 10 is said to be an oustanding 10" sub for music that happens to be affordable too. BTW I disagree that subs NEED servo control to sound tight and detailed. There are many subs that do just fine without it. SVsounds DSP tech comes to mind for example.

The Emotiva does not have the deep extension the Rythmik has.

Of course servo is not needed, but it does an excellent job.

BTW, DSP and Servo are completely different in what they are meant to do. Servo actively monitors cone movement or position, and makes active adjustments. The DSP amps take once analog controlled adjustments (volume, phase, PEQ, etc) and moves them into digital domain.

 

[kesando]

I'm aware of the differences between Servo and DSP tech. I'm Also aware of the benefits as both SVS and Rythmic make excellent subs using said technology. However I recomended the Emotiva based on the OP statements of wanting a smaller 10inch sub and not needing the deepest octave of bass extension for music. The Emotiva can be had for considerably less as well though I'll admit there was no mention of a budget. Perhaps this info will allow us to better help him/her.

 

[cschang]

Understood...I read too much or not enough into your post. Thought you were equating DSP to servo.

 

[Whitey80]

I think to cut to the chase, you should think about and list the dimension limits, rather than focusing solely on the driver size. And then the budget.

Dimensions are not terribly specific. The smallest cube that will allow a proper, musical sound down to around 30hz.

The room is constantly changing, so I cannot rely on it's dimensions for my purchase, as this will likely stay longer than the room it will currently go in. Budget would be $700 or less. Must be powered.

 

[jostenmeat]

Well, page annunaki! Well that's what I would do as stated.

As for being "powered", I suppose with DIY that means you would want a plate amp. Just to be clear though, speaker wire is usually thinner than an interconnect, and cheaper too. However, instead of one plate amp, you could possibly have one outboard amp about a few inches high to run two subs.

I am curious what he would recommend when the F3 only has to go as low as 30hz. Would you consider dual subs, one next to each Maggie? This might give you the flexibility to choose rather high xover points, if that would be beneficial. However, I don't know at what point it is best to remain as stereo, or to have the two subs as mono, as I remember TLS Guy talks about mono subS being often recommended.

 

[Whitey80]

Well, page annunaki! Well that's what I would do as stated.

As for being "powered", I suppose with DIY that means you would want a plate amp. Just to be clear though, speaker wire is usually thinner than an interconnect, and cheaper too. However, instead of one plate amp, you could possibly have one outboard amp about a few inches high to run two subs.

I am curious what he would recommend when the F3 only has to go as low as 30hz. Would you consider dual subs, one next to each Maggie? This might give you the flexibility to choose rather high xover points, if that would be beneficial. However, I don't know at what point it is best to remain as stereo, or to have the two subs as mono, as I remember TLS Guy talks about mono subS being often recommended.

one behind each speaker would work quite well, aesthetically! I'll PM him about it.