Torn between 2 Sub

[allanite]

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Room Size: 17.5ft x 7.5ft with 7.5ft ceiling and laminate flooring

Receiver: Denon AVR-1801
Front: PSB Image 5T
Center: PSB Image 8C
Surround: Polk Audio RT12
Subwoofer: none after I fired the Polk Audio PSW100

Have not own a "real" subwoofer.

80% music / 20% movie
Do not turn my volume very loud.
Enjoy good bass but not till window shattering.

1. HSU VTF-2 Mk4, landed cost US$860
2. Rythmik LV12R, landed cost US$790

VTF-2 MK4
Like the capability of 30Hz low bypass but not sure if I will use it.
Seems troublesome to plug and unplug foam to convert it movie sub to music sub and vice versa. How many times can the foam last from plugging and unplugging.

LV12R
Their Direct Servo technology seems to have enable this ported sub to be musical.
I like it that with the flip of switch it changes from a music sub to a movie sub or vice versa. How many flips can the switch last?
Not sure the 40Hz lowest bypass instead of 30Hz of the VTF-2 Mk4 will affect my usage.

Besides the observations above, both seems very capable subwoofers.

Unfortunately home trial is not viable for me due to high shipping/tax cost.
I am at the point where I kind of may have to flip the coin and leave it to faith or let the $$ decide.

Does any one have any advise or suggestion?

 

[TheWarrior]

17.5x 7.5 x 7.5

Are you living in a tunnel?

Thats a more pressing issue than your subwoofer!

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Between these two and only since mostly music is mentioned, I'd go with Rythmic.
btw: Doesn't sonicboom provides home trials for SVS north of the border?
http://www.sonicboomaudio.com/cylinder-subwoofers-c-2/pcnsd-c-2_25/svs-pc12nsd-12inch-nsd-sledge-cylinder-subwoofer-p-30.html

 

[KEW]

Location: Vancouver, BC, Canada
Room Size: 17.5ft x 7.5ft with 7.5ft ceiling and laminate flooring

Where is the listening position?

Since you mention the laminate flooring, I assume you don't have a rug. Those first reflections off the floor are going to jumble the sound. At a minimum, throw down a blanket or two at the reflection points and see what happens. Some of the laminate is gorgeous stuff, but you need to consider putting down a rug and this simple test will let you know if it is worthwhile for you with your system in your room.

 

[allanite]

Unfortunately this is an old house, entry level basement 7.5ft ceiling, main floor 8ft ceiling.

Would the living room upstairs be better, left to right 7.5ft, front to back 17.5 ft but there is no back wall of 7.5ft wide open into fireplace and dinning area?

I will add SVS SB 2000 to my selection, will check with them what freight cost I need to incur for the home trial.

There is a 8ft by 4ft rug between my front speakers and the sofa.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Unfortunately this is an old house, entry level basement 7.5ft ceiling, main floor 8ft ceiling.

Would the living room upstairs be better, left to right 7.5ft, front to back 17.5 ft but there is no back wall of 7.5ft wide open into fireplace and dinning area?

I will add SVS SB 2000 to my selection, will check with them what freight cost I need to incur for the home trial.

There is a 8ft by 4ft rug between my front speakers and the sofa.

LV12R and VTF-2 are vented subs. If you want to get a comp unit from SVS - you should go with ported PB2000 or PC series i linked above (Standing cylinder sub would take noticeably less floor space)

 

[rojo]

Used SVS-PB2000 in supposedly excellent condition for $800 CAD. Sub is located about 4.5 hours' drive from Vancouver.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Used SVS-PB2000 in supposedly excellent condition for $800 CAD. Sub is located about 4.5 hours' drive from Vancouver.

For used sub - the price seems a bit excessive, heavy haggling is in order
I'd offer $500 cad, and settle on $650 (or less)

 

[rojo]

The seller might be motivated to haggle. The ad has been posted for 30 days.

 

[allanite]

Used SVS-PB2000 in supposedly excellent condition for $800 CAD. Sub is located about 4.5 hours' drive from Vancouver.

Thank you Roji.
Since I do not know how to check for problems, I shy away from used ones at the moment.

 

[allanite]

LV12R and VTF-2 are vented subs. If you want to get a comp unit from SVS - you should go with ported PB2000 or PC series i linked above (Standing cylinder sub would take noticeably less floor space)

Ordered a SVS PC12-NSD 12-Inch NSD Sledge Cylinder Subwoofer.
Will soon have a taste of real subwoofer.

Thanks for all your comments/suggestions.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

 

[TheWarrior]

Unfortunately this is an old house, entry level basement 7.5ft ceiling, main floor 8ft ceiling.

A neat idea might be to make the best of the space, and 'shallow it up' by incorporating a front projection and masking system(can easily be DIY). You could hide all front speakers behind the screen. And the front speakers would only be the best your budget allows. In that space you might consider a 2.2 (2 bookshelf speakers, front and rear subs) as a starter. It may end up being all you need!

 

[allanite]

And the front speakers would only be the best your budget allows. In that space you might consider a 2.2 (2 bookshelf speakers, front and rear subs) as a starter. It may end up being all you need!

?
What would you suggest for the bookshelf speakers? Budget $500 per pair, is it fair?
Salesman keep telling me not to get bookshelf speakers>

 

[TheWarrior]

Of course the salesman is telling you that.

A 2-way bookshelf will put more than enough sound in to that space to keep you happy. At that price, I would look at some Internet options, unless a steal is found on Amazon. This will get you the best value by far.

Using dual subs will yield deeper, more evenly distributed bass. Knowing this, there is NO need for towers.

 

[allanite]

A 2-way bookshelf will put more than enough sound in to that space to keep you happy. At that price, I would look at some Internet options, unless a steal is found on Amazon. This will get you the best value by far.

Will any of these be good?
Energy Veritas V-Mini Bookshelf Speaker
Klipsch Synergy Bookshelf Speaker (B10B)
Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45

 

[TheWarrior]

Will any of these be good?
Energy Veritas V-Mini Bookshelf Speaker
Klipsch Synergy Bookshelf Speaker (B10B)
Definitive Technology StudioMonitor 45

Lol, I re-read your OP. My apologies, you were asking for sub recommendations and I started talking about bookshelf speakers. What are you going to do with the PSB's?

I think the bookshelf options you offer would be a significant step down in overall sound quality, from what you are used to with the PSB's. Are you hoping to get $500 for them, hence the budget?

As for subs, given your stated preferences, and the weird room modes you will have in that space, try and get two sealed subs.

 

[allanite]

Lol, I re-read your OP. My apologies, you were asking for sub recommendations and I started talking about bookshelf speakers. What are you going to do with the PSB's?

I think the bookshelf options you offer would be a significant step down in overall sound quality, from what you are used to with the PSB's. Are you hoping to get $500 for them, hence the budget?.

No problem.
For a moment I thought I made a bad decision of keeping the PSB 5Ts and 8C
Thank You

 

[allanite]

SVS PC12-NSD 12-Inch NSD Sledge Cylinder Subwoofer arrived yesterday.
What a big monster, same height as the PSB Image 5T.

Played The American Snipper, WOW it is a different movie experience.

Thanks for the help.

 

[BoredSysAdmin]

Enjoy!