subwoofer choice?

[firefighterchri]

I currently own polk rti12's for the mains, rti4's for the surrounds, csi5 for the center, and a psw505 subwoofer with a Yamaha rxv2500 driving them. My question is is there a better sub that twetter carries that would be comparable to or betterthan the 505. I am looking to upgrade my sub to a better unit for around the same price I paid ($450). I have 10 days left to return it for full exchange. There is nothing wrong with the sub it's just that I have been reading alot of forums everywhere and it seems to boil down to SVS, HSU, and Velodyne. I watched U571 and it pounded with lots of bass. Any recommendations that would be good for a room 14x14 but one side opens into the dining room making it even bigger like 14x25 or so. I am more to the side of HT than music, but I still listen to cd's. Probably like 75%HT, 25% music. THanks

 

[jaxvon]

I'd personally go for an SVS PB-10 ISD. It will do 20Hz at over 90dB anechoically. Woo!

 

[mfabien]

I'd personally go for an SVS PB-10 ISD. It will do 20Hz at over 90dB anechoically. Woo!

I second the recommendation.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

I agee. Better specs than even this one, for $50 less. And weighs more.

http://www.hsustore.com/vtf2.html

 

[firefighterchri]

What about the svs 20-39 pci? I heard that was pretty good too. Is there anything wrong with velodyne as far it being great for movies. I love the svs subwoofers but is there a certain type or brand of sub that plays better with movies than with music and vice-versa

 

[Rock&Roll Ninja]

The pci 20-39 is a fine subwoofer. But at over $600 w/shipping its a bit over your budget.

 

[SCompRacer]

Hi firefighterchri.

Up to the beginning of June, I was in a similar situation as you are with the upgrade deal at Tweeter. I was finsihing a 40' x 14' area of my home while working my regular job, so I didn't research here like I should have before purchasing the Polk PSW505 from Tweeter. In a 14' x 22' room with an open hallway on one end, I found the sub lacking.

Tweeter had some closeouts on the Velodyne SPL-1200 Series II for around $1K and I considered trading the Polk in for it, but it's hard to beat an SVS (or the HSU) for performance/value at that price range. So I went with SVS's PB12-Plus and have my PSW505 on Ebay now. I'll lose around $200 on the Polk, but got a better sub in the end. I considered one of their round subs for less money, but went with the box instead.

 

[shokhead]

What about the svs 20-39 pci? I heard that was pretty good too. Is there anything wrong with velodyne as far it being great for movies. I love the svs subwoofers but is there a certain type or brand of sub that plays better with movies than with music and vice-versa

Thats what i have and its killer. I got a bstock and it ended up at $599 for everything.

 

[firefighterchri]

Thanks everybody for everything. I know I stated my budget but I think I can swing more than that, probably $600.
scompracer, I was also considering that same sub the Velodyne SPL-1200 Series II as a full exchange upgrade plus the difference but it is a little out of my range right now since I just bought the rest of my system just recently. As far as SVS goes, I think I will end up getting one of these but I can't find a dealer around here that sells them so I can go demo them. Now its just a matter of which one, a couple people recommended the SVS PB10 ISD which seems to be a very great choice.

 

[SCompRacer]

SVS is available factory direct only so you won't find them in stores. shokhead brings up a good alternative for savings, check for B stock, click on the 'check for availability' link.

 

[mfabien]

...and SVS has a 45 day return policy, no questions asked.

 

[Buckeyefan 1]

Hi firefighterchri.

Up to the beginning of June, I was in a similar situation as you are with the upgrade deal at Tweeter. I was finsihing a 40' x 14' area of my home while working my regular job, so I didn't research here like I should have before purchasing the Polk PSW505 from Tweeter. In a 14' x 22' room with an open hallway on one end, I found the sub lacking.

Tweeter had some closeouts on the Velodyne SPL-1200 Series II for around $1K and I considered trading the Polk in for it, but it's hard to beat an SVS (or the HSU) for performance/value at that price range. So I went with SVS's PB12-Plus and have my PSW505 on Ebay now. I'll lose around $200 on the Polk, but got a better sub in the end. I considered one of their round subs for less money, but went with the box instead.

Racer,

Nice setup. I like the photos. I can't believe you have that crystal right next to the sub! I would think it would rattle right off the table. Do you have any acoustic issues with the hardwood flooring/walls? How does the hardwood floor affect the bass from the SVS?

 

[SCompRacer]

Thank you Buckeyefan.

I have a routine where I walk around the room and check to make sure stuff hasn’t migrated close to the edges of the mantle or tables. If it gets bad, I’ll find some of that gummy putty she once had from Home Interiors and secure them. Of course it depends on the movie you watch too. I can’t pick up on any issues of the sub on the hardwood. The sub has some semi-hard rubber feet on them. Then again, it’s all new to me. I suppose after some seat time, my ears may start to pick up things.

Once we filled the room with a love seat recliner, two recliners, oil paintings on the walls, a stuffed dog bed and some throw rugs the room isn’t bad at moderate to high listening levels. By –10 on the Denon, I get into some wallboard resonance issues. But that’s way loud, even for me. I’m waiting for an SPL meter so I can try and measure what the room does to sounds based on the articles I have glanced over here.

I hope to be finished building the wet bar soon so I can concentrate on learning more about room acoustics. Took a couple of days last week while on vaca to start on the wet bar, but unfortunately it’s back to work tonight.