Sub for Very Small HT Room-ULW10/PB10/VTF2?

[gagamaggot]

I am in the middle of upgrading my HT from the entry-level gear I bought 5-7 years ago to the $5K-range gear reviewed on this site.

I started with a 50" Sony SXRD set and an Oppo DVD player. My old AR 12" sub recently blew his voice coil, so a sub is next on the list. I am looking to replace the speakers this summer.

My HT room is relatively small at 1300 cu ft. My goal is to supply good LFE while avoiding any seriously negative room response issues. (I attached a picture for reference.)

I know that the ULW-10, PB10 and Hsu subs all have their merits, but does anyone have reason to beleive that the design tradeoffs of one vs the other would make it more appropriate for the size and shape of my room?

For example, is the SOS function of the ULW-10 going to make LFE performane substantially better for such a small space? Or should I quit analyzing it and go for the raw output of a PB10 if I can find enough floor space for it?

Thanks for any input you can give me. I have found this site a great resource as I try to elevate my knowledge and equipment.

 

[Matt34]

Can you close off the room to the rest of the house? Can't tell if there is a door on the left opening.

Any one of those subs would work great in that room. The HSU STF-2 is real bargain at 20% right now($319). I had a PB-10 and it dug deep but was big for a 10". According to the AV123 website they are out of the ULW-10 in satin black but still have some in white shadow maple. The rocket sub won't go as deep or as loud as the the other two but it will be the easiest to place due to it's smaller size. It will however give you tight, accurate bass with no overhang.

HSU- Cheap, very musical for a ported sub.

SVS- Will dig the deepest, very big.

Rocket- Very accurate, parametric EQ, smallest but most expensive

 

[Pianoman84d]

With a devilish grin... How 'bout 2 X-Subs!!

 

[mazersteven]

With a devilish grin... How 'bout 2 X-Subs!!

In My Opinion

I think he would be better off going with a bigger SVS sub then 2 X-subs.

 

[Audioholics]

In that room I'd go for either one (or better two) smaller subs. You have a few placement options, albeit not many, and you may be able to smooth out the bass response in the room. If you go with a larger sub, you limit your placement options and pretty much get whatever the room gives you.

 

[gagamaggot]

Thanks for the replies. To clarify the drawing...the room is closed off on the left by a set of double doors.

I think Clint best described my concern. I can really only place a sub in the upper left or lower right in the room. Therefore, I can't really "tune" the placement to overcome room response issues if they arise. I know a PB10 has the potential for "wow" effect, but I am concerned the result might be "wow, that sounds terrible in this room".

Perhaps a ULW-10 combined with Buttkicker would be an interesting option. Most people get enough "wow" from seeing a well tuned SXRD displaying 720P anyway.

Also, when recommending two subs vs. one is that to increase the db level at a given frequency? I assumed that any 10" sub on my list would work at reference levels in this space. I was thinking that I would be mostly concerned about reproducing material below 25hz with a 10" sub.

 

[j_garcia]

I know the PB-10 will do well below 25Hz (I measured to 16Hz in my room), and the VTF-2 Mk3 also claims good response (18Hz) as well. For me, it would be between those two. IMO, two X-subs will still not get you good 20Hz performance if that is what you are looking for.

 

[gene]

Definately 2 subs with the second one located at the bottom right corner of the room. Also if you can move the couch off the back wall about a foot or so it would benefit you by reducing the big hump in the 25-40Hz region.

With the listening position where its at, you wont need a sub to play all the way down to 20Hz since you will have plenty of room gain in that region. Thus I suggest 2 smaller but potent subs for easier placement and higher WAF.

 

[Peter Marcks]

Dear John,

I know the PB-10 will do well below 25Hz (I measured to 16Hz in my room), and the VTF-2 Mk3 also claims good response (18Hz) as well. For me, it would be between those two. IMO, two X-subs will still not get you good 20Hz performance if that is what you are looking for.

The VTF-2 Mk3 has identical frequency response in comparison to the VTF-3 Mk2. The only difference is less amplifier power. The VTF-3 Mk2 in extended bass mode was measured by Ilkka to have a frequency response of +/-3db @ 16Hz when measured outside and away from reflective boundaries. So what we provide on our website is actually ultra conservative, more like a +/- 1 or 2 db rating when measured in a quasi-anechoic environment. In-room extension could be even a bit lower. Hope this clarifies things!