Which subwoofer should I pick?

[thecoolguy11]

I plan to buy a subwoofer for my new Athena Point 5 MK II system. With the system I bought the AS-P300 which I want to return. I am planning to buy either the Velodyne CHT-8 or the Energy S8.3.

The CHT-8 is a well reviewed system and seems to have won universal praise.
The Energy S8.3, on the other hand, is a new release, and no reviewes available. However the manual seems to suggest that the subwoofer uses revolutionary technology and distortion down to almost 0%.

Both retail at CDN $350 (my budget for a subwoofer was $300 CDN ). Both are sufficient for my room size.
Information about the velodyne is available at
http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/products/specs/CHT_Series.html

Information about the S8.3 is available at
http://www.energy-speakers.com/source/act6, Subwoofer WEB Release.pdf (specs are avialable towards the end of the document)

Which one should I pick?
If I need to audition the subwoofers, is there a method to it?

 

[thecoolguy11]

Desciription of the S8.3 in the web release by Energy

IThe Energy S8.3, on the other hand, is a new release, and no reviewes available. However the manual seems to suggest that the subwoofer uses revolutionary technology and distortion down to almost 0%.

This is what the energy web release for the subwoofer says
"High output and incredible musicality are the result of the materials chosen, a direct result of the patented Elliptical Surround used on all three models. This exclusive surround technology reduces speaker distortion from an average of 14% to nearly 0%, while increasing useable piston area and even includes exclusively designed ribs to eliminate surround deformation. The Elliptical Surround increases speaker efficiency, with greater surface
area and 30% more excursion over the competition."

 

[Mike]

You can't go wrong with a velodyne.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

Just an FYI, I believe you can get a CHT-12 from Velodyne for less than $350 delivered at onecall or jrmusic.

Tom V.
SVS

 

[thecoolguy11]

Not many deals in Canada

Thanks
Since I am in Canada, the velodyne CHT-8 costs me $CDN 350. Not too many deals either

 

[nm2285]

What was wrong with the Athena?

In this situation, I'd tell you to get the Energy. I've heard the 8.2 and prefer it slightly to the cht8. Since the technology is supposedly improved, I see no reason it shouldn't be at least as good.

 

[thecoolguy11]

The Athena is not blending with the rest of the system

The athena sounded very boomy to me. I tried multiple positions for the sub, set the receiver crossover frequency right from 80Hz to 140Hz, played around with the crossover frequency of the sub, also tried the direct connection on the sub, wherein the sub's crossover is turned off, but the sub still sounded very boomy and does not blend with the other speakers

Is there a particular method to audition subwoofers?

 

[Sheep]

Anthena speaker drivers

i don't know how the athena sub sounds, but i do know my friend said that his athena speakers have very loose drivers, his speakers are audition series.
it gives them farly loud bass, but it tends to be boomy.

i would go with the energy subwoofer if i were you. I tested one at a&bsound and i thought it was awesome, not to mention it has a much lower FR then the velodyne.

sheep.

 

[chadsfake]

I'm Looking at The Energy Also

I have been looking at the Energy S8.3 also. I have Energy 4.1e's for fronts and 2.1e's in the rear and wanted to continue with Energy for my sub. The problem I'm finding is I'm in Vancouver and can only find A and B Sound selling Energy Speakers now and they want $440 CDN for the S8.3

Can anyone help me with anywhere to find another price around Vancouver.

Here is a good review of the Energy subs. This sounds like a good choice.

http://www.soundstage.com/surrounded/surrounded.htm

Some please help me find a better price "Both retail at CDN $350" Sound great to me.

 

[shokhead]

i don't know how the athena sub sounds, but i do know my friend said that his athena speakers have very loose drivers, his speakers are audition series.
it gives them farly loud bass, but it tends to be boomy.

i would go with the energy subwoofer if i were you. I tested one at a&bsound and i thought it was awesome, not to mention it has a much lower FR then the velodyne.

sheep.

Lower FR doesnt mean much if you cant play it loud enough to hear it. 25Hz at 85db or 30Hz at 100db. The 30 everytime.

 

[warpdrive]

Definitely the Energy 8.3 if you can. The new design is really nice..my friend use to have the CHT8, and it was pretty average IMO. Didn't get very deep at all even compared to other 8 inchers, and got lost when you turned it up.

 

[cownd]

I would also audition the PDR-10 and PDR-12 from Paradigm. I believe they are in your price range and they are Canadian...