subwoofer, Yamaha YST-SW1500 or Velodyne SPL 1200R

[vlkcheng]

I'm a newbie here. I need some help to choose my sub. I've got a fairly big room as it is double storey and open plan. It's roughly 260 *** or 9000 cu feet. I've got 4th generation VAF DC-X, DC-7 and DC-6 speakers in 5.0 set up at the oment and plan to add a sub. I'm driving them with Denon AVR 3805. Which one would you pick. The one I like so far are the one mentioned above. I like a sub that is relatively small in size but gives a bit more bass with movies LFE. I'm actually quite happy with my current setup for music. Thanks for any comments.

 

[wafflebird]

A couple of points

The price difference in the two subs you are mentioning is quite large. If you are stuck on one of those two and cost is not a problem then don't even think twice by the Velodyne, it will run circles around the Yamaha without question.

Velodyne makes a great subwoofer. Some things to really consider though are that you have more options than you can even imagine within the price range of the two you are looking at. Take a moment and look at svsubwoofers.com
You can have an earth shattering sub for less than the Velodyne, and believe me you will not be disappointed. Look at HSUresearch.com as well. These are two extremely reputable companies that sell direct to the public (No retailer mark-up here) and have a tremendous reputation for the build quality as well as dynamic sound. A little searching around in here on these forums will put to bed any question of either of these companies. The list of options within your price range goes on and on but these two are hard to beat my friend.

Hopefully more of the great folks in here will give you some other options as well. Take your time and do your research and you will be very happy with the end result.

 

[Sheep]

Um, thats a HUGE room, way to big for either of those subwoofers. For 9500 quare feet, velodyne recommends 2 1812 signature editions, each going for at 15 grand.


You might want to look into SVS tubes, and like 4 of them.

Heres the Velo room/subwoofer cal.

http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/wproduct/whproduct_new.aspx?sid=359h748u


Sheep

 

[wafflebird]

Sheeps right

I did not catch the room size first time around, just the 2 options you were looking at!!

That room is huge and to really FILL it with low frequency will be a challange to say the least. But if you are still just looking at the two I still stand by my original stsement!!!

 

[Sheep]

I don't think your going to find a small sub that can fill that room. A bunch of short svs tubes might do it, but I don't know how loud they will get. You can email them with your room and budget, and they will tell you what will work.


sheep

 

[Yamahaluver]

The Yamaha YST 800 and 1500 are among the tightest and most musical subs around, those who pass judgment on it haven't had the chance to hear it, I own both and have had the chance to own subs of other brands, I can tell you, the only other sub that matches Yamaha is REL. The 1500 is fantastic as it has gobs of power when you need it, yet remains tight.

 

[Khellandros66]

I have the YST-SW315 (10in 250w) And its a great sub, my dad has a Velodyne 12in and JBL 12in and their not as tight as mine (i know thats sounded bad ) but I would give Yamaha a chance too esp for bang for your buck.

~Bob

 

[Sheep]

yamaha, kell,

you missed something, 9000cubic feet

velodyne only recommend 2 1812 signature editions for that size room, 2!!! They said 1 would not be able you fill it with dynamic bass. I know the yamaha subs are great, and I have had quiet a bit of time with the velodyne, both will not fit this bill.


sheep

PS: good to see you posting Yamaha

 

[photodyer]

yamaha, kell,

you missed something, 9000cubic feet

velodyne only recommend 2 1812 signature editions for that size room, 2!!! They said 1 would not be able you fill it with dynamic bass. I know the yamaha subs are great, and I have had quiet a bit of time with the velodyne, both will not fit this bill.

One caveat there, though . . . Velo's little calculator is just a bit favorable towards the selling of their subs. My new HT area is going to have ~6000 cu ft, and I borrowed a friend's 12" 300w sub just to get a ballpark; it's not enough IMO, but according to Velo I need either a DD18 or 1812 minimum . . . I'm not a bassaholic, but I don't agree that either a 12" with a big amp or bigger enclosure or a dual 12" box wouldn't be satisfactory. Another glitch in their configurator; I told it I wanted to consider dual subs and it still gave me only the same single-sub answers. IMO, take that thing with a grain of salt once you get into big rooms . . .

 

[thxgoon]

Um, thats a HUGE room, way to big for either of those subwoofers. For 9500 quare feet, velodyne recommends 2 1812 signature editions, each going for at 15 grand.

Um.. I agree. I have an MK MX350, and until this year it's been sufficient. Now I'm in a room that's barely over 5,000 cubic feet and I'm telling you there is no bass under 30hz, which is where it used to shine. Believe it or not room size seriously affects bass performance. Consider a big sub, or several subs, or moving to a smaller room.

 

[vlkcheng]

Many thanks guys for all your input. Sorry for my ignorance, what are svs tubes?? I know it is a rather big room but I really like that room as it is facing a park and I can watch TV from my dining table as well, as it is a open plan living room, dining and kitchen. The other option I have would be to move my home theatre to my family room which is a more modest 60 cu m or 1900 cu feet.

All I need is something that will give me slightly more punch. I really wasn't looking for earth shattering bass. My current front speakers I think has a sensitivity of 95 dB range of 32 - 21 kHz (+/- 3dB) and I think audible bass goes down to 25 dB. I often have to turn the volume up to -25dB of reference when I listen to music and -10dB when I watch movies. I often worry that I'm straining my receiver and speakers even though I can't hear any distortion. I had a look at HsuResearch and seems like they make quite good subs but I live in OZ. I'm really interested in the Velodyne especially with their digital driver and auto setup. I'm happy to spend up to USD$2,500.

Again thanks for all your comments.