Sub Questions/Suggestions!

xboxweasel

xboxweasel

Full Audioholic
This is a long post. But here goes.....

To start with; this is my current setup:
FRONTS: Paradigm Studio 100 v3 [44-22kHz +/-2dB @ 91dB]
CENTER: Paradigm Studio CC570 v3 [60-22kHz +/-2dB @ 91dB]
SURROUNDS: Paradigm Studio ADP470 v3 [90-22kHz +/-2dB @ 91dB]
SUB: Paradigm PW-2100 (ported)

1) I feel my current sub is somewhat lacking. It is okay for movies. But when I listen to CD's it sounds awful. Too boomy. Not very clean. I guess this is what people mean when they say the sub is either suited for movie only or music and movie. Currently, I prefer to set my fronts to large and listening to my CD's in 2 channel stereo. Then the bass has more punch. Sounds more natural.

2) For starters what are the advantages/disadvantages between a sealed and a ported sub? Or should I not consider this when buying a subwoofer?

3) Is there a ration between sub and speaker cost that one typically uses when trying to find a sub?

4) One possibility is going up to the Paradigm Servo-15. Is going to a 15" sub too big when compared to the 6" woofers on the Paradigm towers? Or is that not a concern?

5) I am staying away from HSU and SVS for now. I do not like mail order. I prefer to listen before I buy. That leaves my only other choice with Velodyne. [If I can find a place that sells them. Future Shop only sells the low end Velodyne’s.] Would the Velodyne DD-15 be the closest match to the Servo-15? What do people think about the DD-15? I noticed that it comes will all these DSPs (Jazz, Pop, etc). Do you have to use them? I personally think it's a gimmick and prefer not to have them.

6) Just found out that I could get a JL Audio S13 for $5000. Apparently it's a really good sub. :rolleyes: But a little expensive. Hmm, I must have heard him wrong. I can't find an S13 on the JL webpage.

7) Okay, this new sub will also have to be able to integrate with my other towers: Klipsch RF-35 (37-20kHz +/-3dB @ 98dB/2.83V/m, 8ohm) and Yamaha NS-8X (35-50kHz @ 92dB/2.83V/m, 6ohm). Does anyone see a problem with that? Or would the PW-2100 be a better match for any of these?

8) Last, I am still having a hard time with the cross-over setting. Since the ADP470 only go down to 90, should I set to x-over to 100Hz? Does it matter? Will I damage the speakers if I send it lower frequencies than it's rated at? PS: Sometimes I listen to 7 channel stereo. So, the surrounds don't just get used for movies. I'd prefer to use 80Hz.

PS: What is with the new ADP590's frequency response of 85-10kHz. I guess they don't require to reproduce the highs anymore.


Thanks a lot. Hope to hear from you soon.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
2) For starters what are the advantages/disadvantages between a sealed and a ported sub? Or should I not consider this when buying a subwoofer?
I have never owned a sealed subwoofer so I really can't give first hand opinions. But they say a seal sub is more musical then a ported sub. And a ported sub is better for HT.

IMO a "quality" subwoofer is going to preform excellent with music or HT ported or not.
 
mike c

mike c

Audioholic Warlord
what he said. both can be designed to sound musical.

but for HT, I feel the ported subs are at an advantage.

no, you don't have to use the DSP's in the DD. you can set it to jazz/classical and it will be in the flattest frequency response.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
3) Is there a ration between sub and speaker cost that one typically uses when trying to find a sub?
No. When choosing a subwoofer you need to consider the volume of the room the sub is going in. Plus any openings, and rooms attached to that room.

Like an open floor plan where the kitchen is open to the family room. You have to choose a sub for the whole area. Not just the family room.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
4) One possibility is going up to the Paradigm Servo-15. Is going to a 15" sub too big when compared to the 6" woofers on the Paradigm towers? Or is that not a concern?
That is not a concern. :D
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
5) I am staying away from HSU and SVS for now. I do not like mail order. I prefer to listen before I buy. That leaves my only other choice with Velodyne. [If I can find a place that sells them. Future Shop only sells the low end Velodyne’s.] Would the Velodyne DD-15 be the closest match to the Servo-15? What do people think about the DD-15? I noticed that it comes will all these DSPs (Jazz, Pop, etc). Do you have to use them? I personally think it's a gimmick and prefer not to have them.
The Paradigm Servo-15, and Velodyne DD's are excellent subwoofers. Just my personal opinion is you can get better performance, at a lower cost from SVS or HSU.

I know you don't like mail order. But these two companies are different. The customer service that there two companies provide is second to no one. I highly recommend them.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
6) Just found out that I could get a JL Audio S13 for $5000. Apparently it's a really good sub. :rolleyes: But a little expensive. Hmm, I must have heard him wrong. I can't find an S13 on the JL webpage.
You mean the JL Audio Fathom 113.

http://home.jlaudio.com/products_subs.php?prod_id=371

I know you don't like mail order. But the PB13-Ultra had been getting outstanding reviews vs. the performance of the Fathom 113. Most saying it's equal or better then the Fathom 113.

O ya It's only $1399

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb13ultra.cfm
 
avaserfi

avaserfi

Audioholic Ninja
There is a guy selling a Fathom 113 on avs for 2300 or so...half price isn't too bad. I think its less than a year old too.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
7) Okay, this new sub will also have to be able to integrate with my other towers: Klipsch RF-35 (37-20kHz +/-3dB @ 98dB/2.83V/m, 8ohm) and Yamaha NS-8X (35-50kHz @ 92dB/2.83V/m, 6ohm). Does anyone see a problem with that? Or would the PW-2100 be a better match for any of these?
Any sub will integrate into your system. With proper calibration, and placement you'll be fine. The big issue will be placement.
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
8) Last, I am still having a hard time with the cross-over setting. Since the ADP470 only go down to 90, should I set to x-over to 100Hz? Does it matter? Will I damage the speakers if I send it lower frequencies than it's rated at? PS: Sometimes I listen to 7 channel stereo. So, the surrounds don't just get used for movies. I'd prefer to use 80Hz.
80 is recommended if I'm correct.

If your receiver has this feature. I recommend you listen to 7-channel music in (dts Neo:6).
 
xboxweasel

xboxweasel

Full Audioholic
Wow. Mazer you have been busy. Thanks for all the replies.

You don't get many specs for the Fathon. Does not look that impressive at all.

SVS and HSU you guys say!!! Is there no place in South Western Ontario that you can hear/buy these things?

Which of those two (SVS or HSU) is better? The HSU (I was looking at the VTF-3 HO and the VTF-3 MK3) only go up to a 12" driver with a 500W power supply. Not even close to the Servo-15. And a lot cheaper. They can't be in the same performance league. The SVS PB-13 ULTRA is the higher series subwoofer, correct? That's almost a cheap sub. :D Heck, I could almost get two off them for the price of the Servo-15. Place one beside each tower. Nice. :cool:

Does not the servo circuit make the sub more accurate? Cleaner with less distortion?

I am having a hard time here. Just by going with the specs the Servo-15 looks more impressive.

I guess with a ported design, compared to a sealed unit, you can get away wish a smaller driver. Hence the SVS and HSU only go to 12 or 13 inches while the servo is 15 inches.

What a pain in the backside this is turning out to be. I can't afford to start buying subs like I did towers. :eek:
 
xboxweasel

xboxweasel

Full Audioholic
thanked?

When did the "THANKS: w" and "THANKS x TIMES in y POSTS" thing happen?

THANKS Yamaha for making awesome towers.
THANKS Klipsch for getting me into this mess in the first place.
THANKS Paradigm for being Canadian.


:D
 
mazersteven

mazersteven

Audioholic Warlord
Is there no place in South Western Ontario that you can hear/buy these things?

Which of those two (SVS or HSU) is better? The HSU (I was looking at the VTF-3 HO and the VTF-3 MK3) only go up to a 12" driver with a 500W power supply. Not even close to the Servo-15. And a lot cheaper. They can't be in the same performance league. The SVS PB-13 ULTRA is the higher series subwoofer, correct? That's almost a cheap sub. :D Heck, I could almost get two off them for the price of the Servo-15. Place one beside each tower. Nice. :cool:
There is a place in Canada that you can purchase SVS subs from. One of the guys here will know.

Driver size, and amp watts are not everything that makes a subwoofer what it is. It's a combination of design, driver, amp, crossover, subwoofer interior volume.

SVS are superior subwoofers with outstanding performance.
 
mike c

mike c

Audioholic Warlord
There is a guy selling a Fathom 113 on avs for 2300 or so...half price isn't too bad. I think its less than a year old too.
those guys probably got the f113 for 2600 bucks.
it was the flavor of the month. now it's not.
 
jinjuku

jinjuku

Moderator
Elemental Design 15" Sub

ED has a new 15" sub for $600

Thing looks like a monster.
 
xboxweasel

xboxweasel

Full Audioholic
Okay. Now the next question is....
PB13 ULTRA or PB12 PLUS/2????

PB13
- more cube shape - fits better where I want to place it
- front ports (ie: not against wall)
- small power supply
- can be tuned to a lower frequency
- one 13" driver (as opposed to two 12")
- does not come with PEQ
- weighs more (155 vs 140 lbs)
- it's got the world ULTRA in it's name
- almost the same price
 

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