Home Theatre Subs

[artv4]

Sealed or ported? please help me with my dilemma at the moment. i am thinking about upgrading to a new sub (currently own a sealed velodyne hgs-12) and not sure what to purchase. my sub is great for music/movies, though, i feel it lakes that impact a ported sub achieves. am i crazy, please help me!!!!
art

[Hdale85]

There is a new Emotiva setup coming out soon. Comes with 2 12" subs in their own boxes and a very nice amp that has built in EQ and auto calibration system with a mic. Costs 999 sounds like an excellent package to me. It's ported by the way.

http://emotiva.com/speakers.html there's the page with it they said -3dB is 19hz and it does it without breaking a sweat.

[imbeaujp]

Why don't you consider sealed with passive radiator ?

Got good results with the peerless XXLS 12 in a 40 liters box.

JP

[Hdale85]

Not sure he was wanting to build a sub kind of sounded like he wants to purchase one.

[CupCak3]

how much do you want to spend?

[rdram]

Sealed. But that is just my opinion. I think sealed subs are more accurate (better for music), which is why I just went from a ported sub to a Velodyne. Seems better able to keep up with the music. Ported subs may be better able to reproduce you average explosion, but there's more to life than spl's. Its really personnal choice.

[spyboy]

Sealed or ported? please help me with my dilemma at the moment. i am thinking about upgrading to a new sub (currently own a sealed velodyne hgs-12) and not sure what to purchase. my sub is great for music/movies, though, i feel it lakes that impact a ported sub achieves. am i crazy, please help me!!!!
art

I would seriously consider the SVS PB-13 Ultra if you have room for it. It is an outstanding performer for both music and movies. It can even be used in sealed mode, though you get the best peformance for movies in ported mode. Run in either (ported) 15Hz, or 20Hz mode, you will get great performance with movies and music.

It is pretty large and weighs 155 pounds. You have probably considered upgrading your HGS-12 to the DD-18. If you need something smaller you might consider two SVS PB-10 NSD's, even though they do not have a built in crossover or speaker level inputs. Two PB-10 NSD's will cost a little less than the Emotiva.

[artv4]

thanks everyone!!!!! i just purchased another sealed velodyne spl-800. want to try a duel sub setup, if that does not work, i plan to sell both and purchase a new sub.

[artv4]

i would still like some recommendations on subs for home theatre use

[spyboy]

For home theater use, the Ed A5-350, HSU VTF-2.3, Epik Valor, SVS PB-12 NSD, AV123 MFW-15, are all good choices for home theater use. The HSU and the SVS are available right now. You will have to wait for 4-8 weeks for the Ed, Epik, or the MFW-15.

[Dmantis]

I don't think design is key. I think matching the right sub to the room is. Some companies do Ported and sealed very well. Some of the very best subs are ported or Sealed.

What you want out of your sub will help you deside on what one is right. It's not that hard actually.

1) What size is your room?
2) What kind of speakers do you own?
a)most of the time the speakers you own have a sub that matches them made from the same company. This is a great place to start looking.
3) Whats your budget?

As a reference point I'll list some sub companies that I have experience with that I feel are very good.

1) Rel. They are probably the most musical and speaker matching subs on the planet. They have a uncanny way of making you believe the bass is coming from the speakers and not from the sub. Depending on room size, you pick the correct model.
2) Martin Logan. They came into the sub market and dominated it. I felt when they came out "ok I'll check it out , it will probably take a few models to get it right". Acutally that was not so , there first models blew away just about everything in it's price class. I think anyone would be happy with the right matching sub from them. Top notch in my opnion.
3)Velodyne. Hit or miss depending on placement and room. I have Installed there subs for years and alot of the times more then not they performed extremely well. There higher end subs are fantastic. They dig deep and shake the room well. Set up mic's work well and help tame a poor room.

Subs from companies like Dynaudio and B&W are worth mentioning. Both companies put music first. There subs are not deadicated theater only subs, they don't crack foundations and over pressure rooms. But what they do is sound fantastic. They almost like REL blend in to the room. Worth checking out even if you don't own there speakers.

Triad are a custom company that make subs to intergrate into your theater room. They make complete theater packages that can compete with anything made. They could be considered the reference standard which all others are measured to. I can't say I ever heard a Triad system that lacked anything. There sub's are simply Incredible but it's the entire system that makes this possible. Like anything else matching is key.

Over my years I have read so much about SVS subs and how great they are. I have Installed a few of them both box and tube design. I have learned that they play loud and can pressure a room very well. But I never found them to blend in and go away which is what I like in a sub. I knew exaclty where they where placed in the room no matter how I calibrated it. I also didn't like them for music. I found they hit to hard and seem out of control. Like adding more bottom end to the recording that doesn't exsist. They also have a "forced" type sound. Like the woofer is working overtime or something.
This is a personal opnion and shouldn't stop you from checking them out. Alot of people like them so they are at least worth checking out.

[artv4]

thanks for the info. i have a 20 by 15 room. i am currently using an nht setup (nht 2.5i's- front, m6 for center and surround, super zero for sb), and a velodyne hgs-12. i just want more low extension for movies. i realize that the servo in my sub keeps from lower extension, though, it eliminates distortion amazingly! svs is a company i though about but just not sure.

[servicetech]

Cleaness of the sound depends GREATLY on design. A loud sub and a clean sub are 2 different things. When auditioning a sub bring material that has different bass tones, different notes should sound different. Cheap subs tend to be monotone no matter what note is fed to them.

[RobP]

2) Martin Logan. They came into the sub market and dominated it. I felt when they came out "ok I'll check it out , it will probably take a few models to get it right". Acutally that was not so , there first models blew away just about everything in it's price class. I think anyone would be happy with the right matching sub from them. Top notch in my opnion.

I am going to echo this thought here and throw in my vote for ML, I have owned my Descent for around two years now and am still amazed of how capable this sub is in all aspects of Audio and HT performance, if you have a dealer close to you should really check it out. :T

[Hdale85]

ML subs are definitely nice but very pricey

[artv4]

thanks dougie085

[artv4]

just purchased a b&w asw1000. 12inch ported sub. i had previously owned a b&w asw300 (also ported) before purchasing my velodyne hgs-12. i have to say that little 8inch sub really rocked. so for the price i purchased the b&w i figure i will try and compare between the two subs. will keep everyone updated!

[jhw59]

Hi. newbie to this site. I'm also looking for a HT sub for a romm of 1440 cubic feet. The ML Grotto appears to be a possible good fit but am still open to suggestions. I will use the HT for both music and videos so a balance is important.

[artv4]

i would recommend a velodyne dd-12. great for music and ht. i currently just purchased a b&w asw-1000. this is a ported sub rather than sealed, the sub compared to my velodyne hgs-12 is muddy and less accurate. having the port does bring a bit more lower extension, though, all i am hearing is extra distortion. finding placement for the b&w is also time consuming and just painful. the velodyne can be placement almost anywhere and still appear invisible!

[jhw59]

i would recommend a velodyne dd-12. great for music and ht. i currently just purchased a b&w asw-1000. this is a ported sub rather than sealed, the sub compared to my velodyne hgs-12 is muddy and less accurate. having the port does bring a bit more lower extension, though, all i am hearing is extra distortion. finding placement for the b&w is also time consuming and just painful. the velodyne can be placement almost anywhere and still appear invisible!

Can't afford that one, unfortunately but thanks

[dtb300]

Can't afford that one, unfortunately but thanks

Do not forget about buying used on the 'Gon as you can get some great stuff for great prices. I purchased my sub there and saved almost $1k on it.

(BTW, the Grotto is a great sub for both Music and HT - depends on your listening preferences and levels.)

For subs here is my take and my opinions. First you have to consider what you are looking for: a sub for music or a sub for HT, or some of both.

For music - a servo based sub has always impressed me as the best for music - but that is not to say there are non-servo which can also suffice. Sealed designs are "usually" better for music, but again not always.

For HT - most of the HT reviews and fanatics look purely for SPL levels at low frequencies - 115dB at 15Hz or something like that. Most are ported or slot loaded designs and are usually quite large. SVS seems to be the big seller and recommended subs for HT, but Elemental, Epik, ACI, and AV123 are making strong showings.

For best sub response - Room Treatments and Bass EQ systems (SMS-1, Behringer, etc.) is definitely something to strongly consider. Without these your bass can only get so good.

If you can get out and audition subs and find what you like it, that is the best way to purchase. Find what you like, not what others think. It is your setup, your room, your music, your movies, get what you like for the money you can afford - it is really that simple.

[jhw59]

any recs on sub cables? For ML or Velodyne.

[artv4]

any recs on sub cables? For ML or Velodyne.

straightwire!!!!

[Hdale85]

Catcables all the way.

[dtb300]

any recs on sub cables? For ML or Velodyne.

Too many to mention - cables are a personal thing in regards to preferences of sound and ones budget. Audition as many as you can and decide from there.

[jhw59]

I may be able to get a Carver Sunrise true sub for under $600-local so no ship and I am auditioning on Monday. The small size is appealing and it looks like a deal for this price. any thoughts?