sub recommendations

[underlineman]

I'm going to a local HT store tonight to listen to some subs. I'd like to get an idea on which brands / models i should listen to first to see if i like them. and go from there. If you could recomond any that would be great.

Link to what brands they carry http://www.audioadvisors.com/retail.html
- B & W
- JL
- JVC
- Klipsch
- Pioneer
- Speakercraft
- Yamaha

I have Onkyo TX-SR705 with Klipsch front RB-61's

Budget = 500 to 800

Size = no restrictions

Room Demensions = Apartment 2nd floor with carpet, 16 x 18 with opening into kitchen eating area with vaulted ceilings, tv faces away from the opening.

Uses = 80% movie, 10% tv, 10% games

Listening habit = I like to feel like i'm in the action scene for my movies but for tv/games/music won't be turned up as loud as movies

appearance = preferably black

Timeframe = i've got time

~~ADDED~~
I'm slowly buying speakers to eventually have full 5.1 then 7.1

front L/r then sub then center then two rears and go to 7.1 when i'm not in an apartment anymore

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: underlineman
I'm going to a local HT store tonight to listen to some subs. I'd like to get an idea on which brands / models i should listen to first to see if i like them. and go from there. If you could recomond any that would be great.

Link to what brands they carry http://www.audioadvisors.com/retail.html
- B & W
- JL
- JVC
- Klipsch
- Pioneer
- Speakercraft
- Yamaha

I have Onkyo TX-SR705 with Klipsch front RB-61's

Budget = 500 to 800

Size = no restrictions

Room Demensions = Apartment 2nd floor with carpet, 16 x 18 with opening into kitchen eating area with vaulted ceilings, tv faces away from the opening.

Uses = 80% movie, 10% tv, 10% games

Listening habit = I like to feel like i'm in the action scene for my movies but for tv/games/music won't be turned up as loud as movies

appearance = preferably black

Timeframe = i've got time

Are you restricting yourself to just retail purchases? With your budget(very good) it would be a shame, in my opinion, to rule out some of the current top of the line brands(price vs performance).

If you don't mind, take a visit over to SVS and HSU and check out what they offer. I think you will find you can get much more for your money.

And as a general recommendation, SVS is usually recommended to people who are more movie based in their HT setup.

 

[iRONic]

A ~$500 Klipsch RW-10d would probably match your bookshelf 61's pretty good.

No center channel? If not, run your test in-store without a center too.

Your AVR Audyssey setup should calibrate a 2.1 system nicely.

 

[YOyoYOhowsDAjello]

I too would recommend looking at Internet Direct brands. Compared to speakers, it's much more the case that a good sub is a good sub vs. personal sound preferences.

In addition to SVS and HSU, Epik and Elemental Designs have some really nice subs in the pricerange.

AV123's MFW-15 is also in that range.
http://av123.com/index.php?pag...m_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Since you don't have size requirements, I think any sub from these companies should blow away the similarly priced retail products.

 

[underlineman]

No I am not restricting my self to just retail. I was just trying to get a basis on if i have a sub with these specs it will sound similiar to this ect..

just trying to make an educated purchase. which is hard to just buy something off line that i wil be hearing all the time.

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: underlineman
No I am not restricting my self to just retail. I was just trying to get a basis on if i have a sub with these specs it will sound similiar to this ect..

just trying to make an educated purchase. which is hard to just buy something off line that i wil be hearing all the time.

Then YOyo and PR have given you good advice.

 

[PurdueRy]

Originally posted by: underlineman
No I am not restricting my self to just retail. I was just trying to get a basis on if i have a sub with these specs it will sound similiar to this ect..

just trying to make an educated purchase. which is hard to just buy something off line that i wil be hearing all the time.

IMO a sub is less critical for listening tests than a speaker. A speaker has many different characteristics that affects the way it sounds. A sub, because it only produces low frequencies, is not affected by many of these anomalies and therefore easier to pick based simply on buying from a vendor with reputable measurements.

In fact, its not even easy to audition a sub in a store. Due to reflections, the sub will sound MUCH differently in your home than it will anywhere else.

 

[DisgruntledVirus]

Velodyne is well liked it seems as well. SVS, eD, HSU, epik, and av123 are ones I would personally be looking at.

 

[TheDrake]

If you arent limited to buying locally then I would go with the dayton Titanic MKIII's personally. You can get the built ones at partsexpress

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-765
http://www.partsexpress.com/pe...fm?&Partnumber=300-763

I would suggest just buying the driver and amp seperately and building the box yourself, much much cheaper that way. for your size room the 12 would be more than enough and the 15 would be overkill. I have the 12 in a similar sized living room.

 

[vi edit]

Another option is the Outlaw LFM-EX for $599

http://www.outlawaudio.com/products/lfmEX.html

Basically a clone of the Hsu VTF-3 but is a bit nicer looking.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I too would recommend looking at Internet Direct brands. Compared to speakers, it's much more the case that a good sub is a good sub vs. personal sound preferences.

In addition to SVS and HSU, Epik and Elemental Designs have some really nice subs in the pricerange.

AV123's MFW-15 is also in that range.
http://av123.com/index.php?pag...m_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Since you don't have size requirements, I think any sub from these companies should blow away the similarly priced retail products.

You could be in for a wait on the MFW-15. I ordered one in the first week of Feb, and was told that they would ship it in April. Now they are telling me June!!!:| I haven't decided if I'm going to cancel yet.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I too would recommend looking at Internet Direct brands. Compared to speakers, it's much more the case that a good sub is a good sub vs. personal sound preferences.

In addition to SVS and HSU, Epik and Elemental Designs have some really nice subs in the pricerange.

AV123's MFW-15 is also in that range.
http://av123.com/index.php?pag...m_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Since you don't have size requirements, I think any sub from these companies should blow away the similarly priced retail products.

You could be in for a wait on the MFW-15. I ordered one in the first week of Feb, and was told that they would ship it in April. Now they are telling me June!!!:| I haven't decided if I'm going to cancel yet.

The backorders are what kill me on some of the ID models. I'm just way to freaking impatient to place an order and wait MONTHS for something to come in. I was looking at the Hsu clones at Parts Express and they initially were shipping in January. Then March. Then May. And now it's back to June.

AV123 is backed up. Elemental Design is backed up 4-6 weeks depending on model. Epik isn't even giving ship dates any more. Hsu and SVS and Outlaw(depending on the model) tend to run a lot better stock. But you do pay a bit of a premium for that luxury.

 

[yuppiejr]

Honestly, I'd invest in a center channel and a less expensive sub woofer - if you're watching 80% movies you're missing THE most important speaker in your setup and can get both a sub and center that should do nicely for your $500 budget (shipping is free):

http://www.vanns.com/shop/serv...tem/features/548299515 ($300) - RC51, Klipsch Center channel (timbre matched to your mains)

http://www.vanns.com/shop/serv...tem/features/540349076 ($200) - KSW10, Klipsch 10" powered subwoofer

.. not that you have to stick with Klipsch all around, but for $200 the KSW10 is actually a good buy (normally $300-$350) and free shipping along with the center is even better. It's not technically a "match" with your main set (this is the same sub that pairs with the well reviewed Klipsch System 6 Set which is down-line from the main speakers you are using) but should be a solid option that you can find retail for a quick listen test. Good luck!

IMHO - "better" subs, like many things, are subject to the law of diminishing returns. Not having one at all versus having ANY sub is the single largest jump increment, everything else from there in terms of dollars you spend versus improvement in your experience goes downhill rapidly. That's not to say that a more expensive sub can't be better, it just means that there is not a linear relationship between price and quality in subs. As a previous poster stated, variance in room characteristics is a HUGE factor in how a sub sounds in a particular room - even the best $1,000 subwoofer placed in a bad space is not going to live up to it's performance capabilities. You are better off buying a less expensive subwoofer and spending the extra dollars on an analog SPL meter/test tone CD and room treatments to 'tune your room' which will have far greater implications in terms of making your room sound better than dumping cash into a higher dollar subwoofer.

 

[Oyeve]

I have an older JBL 12" 250w sub, similar to the Northbridge series thats out now but of much better quality. I have been looking for it online but I cant seem to find it anymore. Anyway, its a great sub.

 

[Muadib]

Originally posted by: vi edit

Originally posted by: Muadib

Originally posted by: YOyoYOhowsDAjello
I too would recommend looking at Internet Direct brands. Compared to speakers, it's much more the case that a good sub is a good sub vs. personal sound preferences.

In addition to SVS and HSU, Epik and Elemental Designs have some really nice subs in the pricerange.

AV123's MFW-15 is also in that range.
http://av123.com/index.php?pag...m_virtuemart&Itemid=37

Since you don't have size requirements, I think any sub from these companies should blow away the similarly priced retail products.

You could be in for a wait on the MFW-15. I ordered one in the first week of Feb, and was told that they would ship it in April. Now they are telling me June!!!:| I haven't decided if I'm going to cancel yet.

The backorders are what kill me on some of the ID models. I'm just way to freaking impatient to place an order and wait MONTHS for something to come in. I was looking at the Hsu clones at Parts Express and they initially were shipping in January. Then March. Then May. And now it's back to June.

AV123 is backed up. Elemental Design is backed up 4-6 weeks depending on model. Epik isn't even giving ship dates any more. Hsu and SVS and Outlaw(depending on the model) tend to run a lot better stock. But you do pay a bit of a premium for that luxury.

I hate waiting as well, but if as long as you are up front with me, I'll put up with it. This stringing customers along though, is bs!! How can you expect to compete if you don't know the status of your inventory?

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: yuppiejr
Honestly, I'd invest in a center channel and a less expensive sub woofer - if you're watching 80% movies you're missing THE most important speaker in your setup and can get both a sub and center that should do nicely for your $500 budget (shipping is free):

http://www.vanns.com/shop/serv...tem/features/548299515 ($300) - RC51, Klipsch Center channel (timbre matched to your mains)

http://www.vanns.com/shop/serv...tem/features/540349076 ($200) - KSW10, Klipsch 10" powered subwoofer

.. not that you have to stick with Klipsch all around, but for $200 the KSW10 is actually a good buy (normally $300-$350) and free shipping along with the center is even better. It's not technically a "match" with your main set (this is the same sub that pairs with the well reviewed Klipsch System 6 Set which is down-line from the main speakers you are using) but should be a solid option that you can find retail for a quick listen test. Good luck!

Good post!

Great price for the KSW10 but his downstairs neighbors will hate him immediately...

 

[underlineman]

thanks for all the replies it will help greatly...and wish some of these weren't on backorder cuase i've read amazing reviews and i have already picked the RC51 center just waiting for the cash flow and now might be a good time to get it if i get a cheaper sub as recomonded above

 

[iRONic]

Originally posted by: underlineman
thanks for all the replies it will help greatly...and wish some of these weren't on backorder cuase i've read amazing reviews and i have already picked the RC51 center just waiting for the cash flow and now might be a good time to get it if i get a cheaper sub as recomonded above

Print out the Vann's ads and ask Audio Advisors if they will price match? Can't hurt.

Win Win...

 

[andrei3333]

velodyne
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