Picking a Subwoofer

[Nanometer]

I'm adding another subwoofer to my theater and I'm looking for something that has a strong low end. I'ved ruled out getting anything other then a 12" since I already have two 10's. I'm looking to stay in the 500 dollar range. Though I am picky, and looks are definitely important to me.

So far I've lined up the following, but I would love more suggestions!:

Velodyne DEQ-12R
Klipsch RW-12D
Polk Audio PSW 600

Like I said, I have 2 subs already, but they do not fill the low end of the spectrum well enough. That and they don't provide enough power anyways..

[YukonTrooper]

A little over $500, at least new and direct, but one of the best: http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-box-pb12nsd.cfm

You could also sell your current units and add to your budget and spring for a cylindrical sub.

[jason str]

Too bad you are not closer, i would offer my Tuba HT for some cash and trade.

If you have some woodworking experience i would recommend one of the Tuba designs, they offer much lower distortion than direct radiator models + the HT model will blow away 2 or more top of the line SVS models but remember it is a biggin.

I have heard many so called high end subs and most are overrated and way too expensive for what you get in the end.

In that price range i recommend the 12" kit from Parts Express, great for music and home theater if you don't mind throwing a few screws in.
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[Nanometer]

Yes, Ive seen some of those tuba kits and they are hugely impressive as long as their size. I would love something like that, but I've gpt tp be able to fit in my car haha. Do you really think though that the Dayton setup is any good? I could piece together a decent subwoofer myself as long as I had a box(not really looking to make my own at the current time). The reason I wasn't so crazy about the dayton case is that it's rather bland and plain looking. It isn't bad, but it certainly looks cheap in my opinion though.

Also that SVsound woofer does seem pretty nice, but for 600 bucks I would of expected a little more then 300 watts though. It does have a nice range across 400 to 20 hz, but it only does it at about 93 Db, some nicer units push 100 easy. It is also pretty big, that must be why the curve is so flat..

[jason str]

Don't rely on watts or claims made by the manufactures, most fudge their claims.

If you need pretty just buy the electronics then build and finish yourself, you get much more for your $$$. Its just a box, glue and some of your time.

The Dayton kits offer very impressive sound though i admit they do not look fancy.

[STEvil]

You could build a 1/4 wave T-line.. almost as good as a horn and saves a bit on size. They play real well on minimal power and love a driver that can move.

[Soulburner]

Go with a cylinder from SVS...you won't be disappointed!

http://www.svsound.com/products-sub-cyl-pc12_nsd.cfm

Outperforms almost everything twice its price.

[YukonTrooper]

Also that SVsound woofer does seem pretty nice, but for 600 bucks I would of expected a little more then 300 watts though. It does have a nice range across 400 to 20 hz, but it only does it at about 93 Db, some nicer units push 100 easy. It is also pretty big, that must be why the curve is so flat..

As Jason says, many manufacturers mess with claims. With SVS you're getting no bull, there's no middleman and you order direct from the factory. They're a great company to deal with and know their stuff. My vote for SVS stands.

[Nanometer]

Those units are nice, but would it not be an issue if the room is really big? It's 9 feet high, and the family room is basically completely open into the dining room and kitchen. 30 by 30 feet, then towards the back the last 15 feet open completely into the dining room and then completely open into the living room. Very open haha. I like how the SVS put quality on top of their list. Good quality parts and they take pride in their products finish.

[STEvil]

SVS?

Good box, good sub, HORRIBLE bash amplifier.. just look at this tripe:

BASH® can produce high power levels without cost penalties typically associated with conventional amplifier designs. A linear amplifier rated at 100 Watts should be able to deliver 20 Watts continuously. If the same amplifier is to play musical transients that are 10dB louder than its rated power, the amplifier must be able to deliver 1000 watts dynamically. To deliver such dynamic power would require the internal power supply rails to be 300% higher, and the resulting power dissipated at 20 watts output to be 350% higher resulting in increases to heat sinks, power transformer, bulk capacitors, output devices and ultimately increases the cost.

You can build that SVS unit for dirt cheap.

Get a chunk of sono-tube and two MDF or plywood ends and a 4" Aero Port, sub, and amp from partsexpress.com and you're done.

Oh, here's some awesome cheap subs that will beat out the SVS unit probably: http://www.diycable.com/main/default...bd81ae111ee3ee

edit - port materials at diycable.com are dirt cheap too..

[Soulburner]

"Probably" doesn't sound too certain. Every single owner of an SVS sub says they are what they claim to be. They destroy all subs costing 2x as much.

I can't argue with them? Say what you will about the amp, but that's the first time I've heard it. It seems to be working very well.

[Kallenator]

We have one of the smallest SVS subs in our home cinema, 10", don't remember the exact name.
It works great, especially considering the price. The only thing it lacks to be perfect is more power.

[ripken204]

please do show evidence of what you are saying about the amp.
i have considered an SVS system and would like to know, i will still probably buy SVS anyways.

[jason str]

If companies offered frequency response charts, max XPL and THD levels and not just one or the other if any it would be easier to decipher one to another.

Those SVS models are good but not great offerings for the price especially if you include DIY.

[Nanometer]

Thanks for the suggestions What do you guys think of the CSX-15 and the big 15" from velodyne?

[Soulburner]

At AVS Forums it often comes down to SVS vs ED. And for the money SVS wins. Both are great though.

[STEvil]

"Probably" doesn't sound too certain. Every single owner of an SVS sub says they are what they claim to be. They destroy all subs costing 2x as much.


I can't argue with them? Say what you will about the amp, but that's the first time I've heard it. It seems to be working very well.

First and foremost the box (in this case a sonotube) is what makes them good.

Secondly the driver looks to have a decent amount of excursion which will help to create a flat response to lower frequencies.

Given the driver likely being a single-spider unit (or two softer ones) it wont take much power to get it moving, so unless someone clamps the amp to see the actual power being used, its probably not seeing more than 300w RMS.

please do show evidence of what you are saying about the amp.
i have considered an SVS system and would like to know, i will still probably buy SVS anyways.

From the SVS link:

3.15A @ 120v = 378w maximum input power.

Give it the benefit of the doubt and say its 75% power efficient (most are 70% at best), and that means you can get a maximum power output of 283.75w..



I think it would be interesting to clamp one. If they were as efficient as they say, then why are we not using BASH based mosfets in our PC's?

[Soulburner]

At the end of the day though it comes down to its performance and not the numbers right?

[BlackUp]

SVS or ED is the way to go


here is the ED in your range :drool:
http://www.edesignaudio.com/product_...roducts_id=681

[BlackUp]

This is alittle old but craigsub seems to be very well respected in his testing of subwoofers:
http://www.tweakcityaudio.com/forum/showthread.php?t=11

[STEvil]

At the end of the day though it comes down to its performance and not the numbers right?

"If they were as efficient as they say, then why are we not using BASH based mosfets in our PC's?"

The BASH amplifiers perform fine, they just make outrageous claims is all.

edit - eD subwoofers are awesome, just have to be careful with some models as they can tear the spider(s) at high excursion. 13 av2 was bad for that iirc...

[Nanometer]

Opinion on the Velodyne 15 inch sub? I've heard good things, but does it lag at all? Only reason I don't want a 15 is because I've heard anything bigger then a 12 will lag, specifically for music.

[STEvil]

People who say "big subs are laggy" are just showing you how little they know.

Larger drivers can have a lower resonant frequency and/or a higher peak roll-off rate, but the top frequency they can produce to a flat scale is (assuming a decent driver) as high as any other, and that point is well above what you want a subwoofer to produce anyways.

Most important part of the subwoofer system: the box you put it in.

[Nanometer]

This is the sub I was looking at, there's several 15s offered by Velodyne.http://www.velodyne.com/vproducts/se...?seriesid=1203

[TV Addict#2]

I have a 2006 model svs ultra/2,two days later a cracked window pane and a thud to the chest proved to me how powerful this bass is
the cannon shots in master and commander was the source