Subwoofer selection

[Architect1975]

I am in the market for a new sub. I have an open style floor plan, the tv is just 12' from the couch, but the whole open space is at least 6000 cubic feet. The rest of my system is Klipsch Synergy F-1's, C-1, and S-1's. I have the klipsch 10" sub also, but it's broken. I think I was missing out on a lot of quality anyways.

Based on lots of forum and review reading, I have a few subs on my short list.

Outlaw Audio LFM-1 EX
HSU VTF-3 MK4
SVS PB12-NSD
(sorry, dual isn't an option. I'll catch enough static over just one large sub)

Am I on the right track? Have I overlooked another brand that would perform like these? Thanks for any input.

 

[shadyJ]

If you can only have one from those, get the VTF3. The Outlaw is basically an older version of the VTF3, and the PB12 is outperformed by the Outlaw. The VTF3, at its current sale price plus shipping, is the least expensive of the bunch, has the best performance, and most features. The sub that does give it serious competition is the Power Sound Audio XV15 which is 800 delivered. I think the XV15 would have more bass from the 40 to 50 hz region, however it doesn't have some of the features of the VTF3.

 

[Architect1975]

Thanks shadyJ,
One detail I left out, and it isn't a deal breaker, just a consideration. I have small kids that love to put stuff in ports. That's one thing I like about the Outlaw, down firing ports and driver. But regardless, does the VTF3 outperform the LFM-1 EX very much?

 

[shadyJ]

It won't outperform the Outlaw by a big margin. Mostly at the lower frequencies due to the larger 4" ports. My experience is with the VTF3 mk3 not the mk4, but the differences are not big, mostly it is the addition of the Q control.

 

[Architect1975]

Subwoofer selection - part 2

Can someone who has heard both the HSU VTF-3 MK4 and Outlaw LFM-1 EX give me some advice?
If it's a toss up, I may go with the Outlaw because it is more kid proof with the downfiring driver and ports. If the HSU is better though, I'll just deal with the kid issues.
Pressurizing my open floor plan isn't in my budget. I just want to do the best I can for less than $800.

Recommendations please.

 

[shadyJ]

I have two mk3s and two LFM-1 EXs. There won't be many people out there who have much experience with both the EX and the mk4. The mk4 isn't very old, so I doubt you'll get a reply from someone who has experience with both. The Q control of the mk4 may help it sound a bit sharper (at the expense of extension) and the larger ports will give it more deep bass output and less chances of chuffing. The LFM-1 EX still performs very well in these respects though.

 

[Architect1975]

I have two mk3s and two LFM-1 EXs. There won't be many people out there who have much experience with both the EX and the mk4. The mk4 isn't very old, so I doubt you'll get a reply from someone who has experience with both. The Q control of the mk4 may help it sound a bit sharper (at the expense of extension) and the larger ports will give it more deep bass output and less chances of chuffing. The LFM-1 EX still performs very well in these respects though.

Thanks ShadyJ,
Wow, you have lots of subs! Sounds like the HSU is the way to go then, although I do like the kid proof aspects of the outlaw win me over. Also, would the Outlaw be easier to locate because I don't have to worry about which way a side firing driver faces or how far from the wall the rear ports are?

 

[shadyJ]

You'll want to give the ports a few inches of clearance, but you won't need much room. I would try to give it 4" of space. You won't have to worry about the way the driver faces, it won't make a difference unless you are sitting very close to the subwoofer.

 

[jbrown15]

Architect1975, what's your budget? If you're concerned about your kids putting things in the ports of a sub you could always look at a sealed sub. PSA has the new XS30 and it will out perform all of the subs you've listed and probably better suited to that large of a room.

 

[Adim_X]

I just received a SVS PC12-Plus, it is a cylindrical sub. The ports are covered on top by the grill, and sub is down firing. Pretty hard for kids to mess with. They offer an NSD version also. You have a pretty good amount of space to pressurize. What is your budget?

 

[Architect1975]

Architect1975, what's your budget? If you're concerned about your kids putting things in the ports of a sub you could always look at a sealed sub. PSA has the new XS30 and it will out perform all of the subs you've listed and probably better suited to that large of a room.

Sorry, I was away and didn't see your post. Thanks by the way. My budget is about $750 max. I like the idea of having options of ported or sealed all in one sub. Seems like i can have my cake and eat it too that way. My youngest son is just going to have to learn not to put stuff in there or I'll keep them plugged until it's movie or music time.

 

[Architect1975]

I just received a SVS PC12-Plus, it is a cylindrical sub. The ports are covered on top by the grill, and sub is down firing. Pretty hard for kids to mess with. They offer an NSD version also. You have a pretty good amount of space to pressurize. What is your budget?

Sorry i haven't been able to check this and its not sending me emails for some reason.
My budget is about $750. I don't think pressurizing my room is in the cards. maybe someday i'll have an extra smaller room i can dedicate to home theater. I am considering the nsd version of the cylindrical sub. Looking at its specs though, it looks like the hsu vtf3.4 and outlaw lfm1-ex outperform it in low bass. I'm no expert at making sense of specs but that's what it looks like to me. I don't want to sacrifice performance because of my issues with kids.
Somebody correct me if I misunderstood those specs.
Thanks everybody, I'm really close to a purchase I think.
From what I can tell, any of these options are going to murder the klipsch sub 10 I was using. I'll probably be happy either way, nobody yet has said I'm on the wrong track.

 

[shadyJ]

The manufacturer specs don't really say the PC12 is outperformed by the VTF3 and LFM. If you have enough information about the subs, you can make an educated guess, but, to be sure, you need third party measurements. There are some relevant measurements in this case, between the PB12 NSD and the LFM-1 EX here, where the SVS sub does gets outperformed by the Outlaw in many respects but not all respects. I think the VTF3 will have an even greater advantage, especially in the deep bass. I wouldn't wait for too long to get a VTF3, I don't think the holiday sale will last much longer after christmas.

 

[Architect1975]

The manufacturer specs don't really say the PC12 is outperformed by the VTF3 and LFM. If you have enough information about the subs, you can make an educated guess, but, to be sure, you need third party measurements. There are some relevant measurements in this case, between the PB12 NSD and the LFM-1 EX here, where the SVS sub does gets outperformed by the Outlaw in many respects but not all respects. I think the VTF3 will have an even greater advantage, especially in the deep bass. I wouldn't wait for too long to get a VTF3, I don't think the holiday sale will last much longer after christmas.

I think I'm going to place an order for a vtf3.4 in a few minutes. Thanks for the advice. It means a lot to me that you have both outlaw and hsu subs. Even with third party testing, I think you have to hear these in person to decide. It's quite likely that a novice like me wouldn't even realize a difference. From what I've heard, I'll be happy with my choice.
Thanks again.

 

[jbrown15]

Something you should keep in mind is warranty. HSU only has a 2 year warranty and that includes the amp too. A company like Power Sound Audio offers a 5 years warranty! That's an extra 3 years of piece of mind. I would suggest spending an extra $50 and go with a XV15. If you did a quick search over at the avsforums too you'd see that PSA has some of the best customer service in the industry. And if $750 is your max budget you could go with a XS15.

I ordered dual XS30s and I couldn't say enough great things about Tom @ PSA and I think you'd have a tough time finding anyone to say anything bad about him or his customer service.

 

[ahblaza]

Something you should keep in mind is warranty. HSU only has a 2 year warranty and that includes the amp too. A company like Power Sound Audio offers a 5 years warranty! That's an extra 3 years of piece of mind. I would suggest spending an extra $50 and go with a XV15. If you did a quick search over at the avsforums too you'd see that PSA has some of the best customer service in the industry. And if $750 is your max budget you could go with a XS15.

I ordered dual XS30s and I couldn't say enough great things about Tom @ PSA and I think you'd have a tough time finding anyone to say anything bad about him or his customer service.

I have to agree, the XV15 will fill a large space and @$800 delivered, five year warranty and exemplary CS, you will be hard pressed to find a better deal. Yes I own these.