Suggestions subwoofer for music in a 16x20x10

[Irvrobinson]

Huh? How exactly are they faster? Sounds like a bunch of audiophile nonsense to me.

They must be using the same science and logic as this.

My thinking exactly.

 

[hidefguy]

Huh? How exactly are they faster? Sounds like a bunch of audiophile nonsense to me.

They must be using the same science and logic as this.

Could be, but this is just what many of the speaker owners say about the Dyn's. I really don't know since I never really get theoretical about the stuff.

 

[templemaners]

shadyJ

Just did some forum research on the Submersive. From what I gathered in the last 45 minutes of reading is that as far as quality goes the Submersive will put the SVS PB13 Ultra to shame with very little sacrifice in quantity. It should be a no brainer for me since Seaton is here in Chicago, and if any issue arise he would be able to fix it. The hard part is getting one of these locally in the used market.

I have a Submersive HP and I'm quite satisfied with the fit/finish & SQ. Of course, the only other sub I have any experience with is the HSU STF-1 in my office, so take that for what it's worth.

 

[ratm]

As an Empire owner, I can say that this sub has performed flawlessly with anything that I have thrown at it movies OR musically. It is solid as granite, and gives me the performance that I am looking for in a room that is about 2900cf. I have had zero issues with mine and was very impressed that Chad took time from his busy schedule to talk to me about set-up.

I seriously considered the F15, the ULS15, and also the VTF15. But at just over 900 shipped to my door, price was the deciding factor. I would not hesitate to suggest this to anyone looking at $1k subs, and can't wait to get another one.

 

[Irvrobinson]

Could be, but this is just what many of the speaker owners say about the Dyn's.

Yeah, and it's such poppycock. I tend to like some high-end audio equipment (mostly just speakers, now), but I've never understood the stories some audiophiles tell themselves to justify the purchases they've made. (Often influenced by a very effective yet silly sales guy pushing their highest margin brand.) If a Dynaudio speaker has trouble blending with a good subwoofer it's probably because of some anomaly in the Dynaudio's frequency response. More likely there just isn't a problem at all.

 

[shadyJ]

I forgot about Seaton. I remember people around here talking about him a while back. I will look into that

Speaking of co-locating subs, I do realize that putting them side by side (or stacked) will give you higher dbl's, but I was planning on putting them near each edge of my plasma TV stand about 5-6 feet apart from each other, and 3-4 feet away from back wall. My seating position will be 10 feet from subs with an additonal 8 feet behind the seats to the rear wall. Room is rectangular 24 x 12 x 7 (high). I'm wondering if it's worth sacrificing the dbl (stacked/side by side)for a more even bass distribution (5-6 feet apart).

It depends on the room and sub. First of all, you need a sub with enough air displacement to pressurize the entire space since you are sitting in the middle of the room. The center is where bass nulls will happen, and if the sub isn't moving enough air then you will hear nothing. With the Submersive you won't have to worry about output at all with a single one. With the Dynaudios, they will probably be sufficient enough to placed spaced apart, but they won't have anything like the dynamic range of a single Submersive.

Another factor to consider is the low frequency extension of your front left and right speakers, and also your bass management. If the speakers' extension doesn't reach down to 80 hz, that could make for either a localization issue with a single sub or a frequency response gap between the sub and the speakers. On the other hand, if your speaker do have decent bass on their own, than lowering the crossover point can not only erase localization, but make the crossover between the sub and speakers that much more seamless. However, the caveat with a lower crossover is a diminished dynamic response from the system overall, but if you don't listen to stuff at high volumes, that might not be a problem for you.

 

[hidefguy]

Yeah, and it's such poppycock. I tend to like some high-end audio equipment (mostly just speakers, now), but I've never understood the stories some audiophiles tell themselves to justify the purchases they've made. (.

I agree. I usually try to pickup well built audio gear from impulsive audiophiles who want the next best thing. I've never paid more than 1/2 MSRP (usually pay less) for fairly new stuff, and even that hurts. I was a little concerned with going used on the subwoofers since I have read of so many people having problems with them, but it's still hard to justify the $3200 for a pair of the Dyn subs (even with 5yr warranty). Like a new car once you walk out the door with them, they instantly lose 30% of their value (if not more).


ShadyJ

Thanks for the sub placement info. It makes sense.

 

[Matt34]

If you're going for one "supersub" then the Submersive is a excellent choice. However, if you're looking for low frequency optimization among multiple seats I would read this article (Much easier to digest than the AES white papers):

Low Frequency Room Acoustic Optimization


Then get four of these:

Dayton Audio C1500K 15" Powered Subwoofer Kit 300-770

 

[hidefguy]

Matt34

How are the drivers on the Dayton Audio C1500K kits? Have you used them before?

I was able to get two Dynaudio BM12S subs from Guitar Center (B stock). I had to fight them to get the price down, but I guess they had been sitting on them for a while after have overpriced them at $1200 a piece. I got them both for $1200. They are basically the pro version of the consumer SUB 500 (just cosmetically different).

 

[gus_patino]

What is the difference between Rhythmik F15, F15Hp and E15?

I'm trying to decide which sub woofer to get.
I don't know which of these three Rhythmiks is better.
I will use it mainly for music, classical, jazz and some new age.
So I would like to be the sound to be clean.

I will be using it with an HK 990
So I don't know if I'll need the 600 RMS from the F15Hp or with the F15 is more than enough.

Which of these three would you recommend?
Thanks

 

[theJman]

I'm trying to decide which sub woofer to get.
I don't know which of these three Rhythmiks is better.
I will use it mainly for music, classical, jazz and some new age.
So I would like to be the sound to be clean.

I will be using it with an HK 990
So I don't know if I'll need the 600 RMS from the F15Hp or with the F15 is more than enough.

The F15HP and E15HP are virtually identical; they use the exact same driver and amp, which are the best Rythmik currently offers. The only noticeable difference is the cabinet size - the F15HP is slightly larger. The F15HP also holds a very minor output advantage over the E15HP, and it's just a little more expensive. Essentially they're the same though. The F15 uses the "entry level" driver and amp, but it also costs quite a bit less.

 

[gus_patino]

Thanks a lot Jim. Your answer clarified the difference between each other.
Do you have any suggestions for sub-woofers that are great for music and are around the same price range?
Thanks

 

[theJman]

Thanks a lot Jim. Your answer clarified the difference between each other.
Do you have any suggestions for sub-woofers that are great for music and are around the same price range?

Based upon what you're looking to achieve I'd say choosing one of the Rythmik's is probably your best option. They are renowned for their accuracy.

 

[kramskoi]

Thanks a lot Jim. Your answer clarified the difference between each other.
Do you have any suggestions for sub-woofers that are great for music and are around the same price range?
Thanks

Watch out for peaks at 28, 56, 70 and 85Hz. If your room is too live, it will affect the accuracy of the sub from a decay standpoint. Just something to be aware of as you have two lengths that will reinforce certain peaks (20x10 ft. dimension). Looks like your room gain will start at around 28Hz.

 

[TLS Guy]

ShadyJ

Thank you for your input on this matter. I really can't add anything to the argument of music vs. home theatre subs, as I have not sampled many at all.

But since I am a Dynaudio speaker owner, other Dyn owners have told me that the speed of Dyn speakers is hard to integrate with many subs, and the Dyn sub is a safe bet, but not one that would guarantee even 30% of the ouput of ID subs, but I guess this is where distortion and boominess can come into play. As far as safer goes, it could be a bunch of BS for all I know

I do see your point though as far as the cost. Considering the safer bet, i'm still reluctant to dish out 3K for a pair, when I paid 4K for my entire Dyn Focus surround set in the used market. Just doing my homework at this point.

There is no such thing as "fast bass." It all comes down to total system Q. I think you are looking for a low Q sub. That means certainly a sub with a Q less then 0.7 and preferably around 0.5. However commercial subs with a Q of 0.5 are hard to come by. I build systems with Q in that range and the bass definition is phenomenal.

 

[ImcLoud]

I would go with dual sealed subs for music.......................................................... svs dual sb1000 or sb2000 or dual uls15's ect depending on your budget...

 

[DannyA]

My room has similar dimensions. I bought mine for music and it sounds great. I researched SVS, HSU, Rythmik and PSA. I decided on the PSA XS-15. The experts here can tell you how the PSA XS-15 ranks compared to the others but I really love this sub. $750.00 was well worth it. The one thing I will note, for what its worth, is the XS-15 is not as pretty as some of the others. No cherry or piano gloss finish.

POWER SOUND AUDIO — XS15 Home Audio Subwoofer

Pioneer PDP-5020FD
Yamaha RX-V3800
Samsung BD-F5700 Blu-ray Player
Sony - PS3
Definitive Technology BP7006 Mains
Definitive Technology CS-8060 HD Center
Definitive Technology Pro Monitor 1000 Surround
Power Sound Audio XS 15 Subwoofer