A good sub to pair with Signature Series?

Sickman

Hey, people! I wanted to see if anyone had any subwoofer recommendations for the new Polk Signature Series speakers. I'm new to home audio, but trying to learn all I can. I purchased the Polk S60s , S20s and an S30 recently, and am very happy so far. I'm running them on a new Denon AVR-S720W with 14g wire, and I'm enjoying the upgrade from my Samsung HW-J355 quite a bit. After I ran Audyssey I left the S60s to Large, since I don't currently have a sub. Is that good for now? I'm looking for a sub in the $200-300 range, but still trying to figure out what to look for. I'm looking for something for movies and games, but the girlfriend will be running music fairly often if that matters. Anyone have a favorite they'd like to share? Also kinda wondering if the receiver I choose is going to get the job done. I've read that my choice is a little low on the power scale, but I'm not trying to blow out the windows. Much thanks for any help!

mrloren

Hello and welcome to CP,

I went to Polk's facility and had a good listen to the S60. They used an older low end Onkyo and they sounded fantastic. So your receiver should be fine for now. Up grade later after you get a good sub. A4L http://www.accessories4less.com/make-a-store/category/avreceiver/home-audio/receivers-amps/home-theater-receivers/1.html is the go to place for receivers.

For a Sub I would look at HSU for your price range http://hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html you will need to bump your budget a bit.
Any of the VTF sub will help your low end out.

I played for a day turning the sub in my system off and listen to a track and then turning it back on. Yes the S60 can go low but with sub on they are fantastic.

Upstatemax

If you're willing to bump up your budget a bit, also look at SVS.

https://www.svsound.com/pages/subwoofers

I love mine.

Upstatemax

Or:

https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO

PSOVLSK

Nice setup you've put together. The signature series are great looking and great sounding speakers.

The SVS from amazon will satisfy your sub needs for years to come. DO NOT spend $300 on another sub when you can get that one for $400. (I'm talking new here. You may be able to find a good deal used.)

rooftop59

Upstatemax wrote: »

Or:

https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO

This for sure!

Or this: http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-1mk3.html

Not sure why HSU doesn't get a lotta love around these parts, but I LOVED my vtf-3r only reason I sold it and bought the svs was because the svs is both front firing and front ported and fits in my cabinet. But sound wise they are very similar.

From someone who went on the sub merry go round, unless you are going to buy used, do it right the first time!

PSOVLSK

I've never heard an HSU, but I'd have no problem recommending them based solely on the opinions of others whom I trust.

I agree with you that the one you linked would be another great option.

Upstatemax

Main reason I suggest SVS, they have good sealed options.

I personally love a good sealed sub...

sgmsmg

Another thing to keep in mind if you buy from SVS is they have a pretty generous upgrade program if you decide you want to step up in size.

mrloren

That SVS from Amazon is a great deal.

I have an older HSU VTF2-MK3. 12" down firing rear ported and still plays my rock and hair metal very good.

I've only heard a couple of SVS subs and they too sounded fantastic.

Can't go wrong either way

F1nut

Sealed sub......Velodyne

rooftop59

F1nut wrote: »

Sealed sub......Velodyne

Three thoughts:

1. while Velodyne's sound great, they tend to fail and are VERY expensive to repair
2. while I agree that other things being equal, a sealed sub is slightly tighter and faster and has a little better texture, with two good subs the difference is very slight. The most "musical" subs I have ever owned are ACI (Audio Concepts) force and titan, both sealed and flat to 20 hz. But the difference between them and the HSU and SVS ported subs I have owned is very slight.
3. I am guessing based on what the OP owns that he is mainly concerned with movies. Since dollar for dollar a good ported sub will give you slightly more output, extension, and slam (again, other things being equal), I would recommend a ported sub in this instance.

mrloren

I like the sound of both sealed for music and ported for movies. My HSU does a good job at both.

I am now on the personal debate of either getting a SB13 or VTF3-MK5. If I go HSU I will have a little extra to pay some bills. According to HSU almost triple my output. it's $1600 vs. $800 would the SB 13 be worth double the cost when the VTF3 will still be a big upgrade?

Sickman

Music is important, as it may be the only way I can get it in the door without my girlfriend killing me in my sleep. If she can jam her EDM and have it hit the way she wants I may be safe. I've bought a 65" 4k HDR TV, these speakers, and that receiver all in the past month. She's about to flip her $hit when it comes to this stuff. I've discovered shopping for a sub may be harder than the speakers were. I'm leaning towards the Hsu VTF-1 MK3. Problem is, I can't lie to my girlfriend about how much I spent. I always thought subwoofers were a cheaper, more complimentary part of a HT, learning quickly that's not the case. Lol

rooftop59

It's a good choice and you'll be set for a long time.

It's not something many of us here practice or preach, but you could actually put away say 50-75 $ a month and then...*gasp*...buy it with the money you've saved.

And if you're real smart and this girls a keeper, make sure you are also saving up for something for her...

Upstatemax

don't let him fool you. We are here to help you max out your credit cards and ruin your relationship/marriage!

Wait till you need a new power conditioner. Wait, you do have a power conditioner, right?!

rpf65

Get this and put some fake flowers in a vase on top of it. Tell her you got a great deal on an artistic plant stand.

https://www.svsound.com/collections/subwoofer-outlet-specials/products/pc-2000-piano-gloss-outlet-1250

mrloren

Any HSU sub will do you good. The VTF1 is a nice little sub.

order the VTF1 or VTF2, don't tell her. put on her favorite action movie and ask her how does she like the sound. You might not die when she see's how much you spent. If she does get mad tell her you could have alway got the SVS PB16 Ultra for $2700.

Thing I learned about the wife is if I ask for something new in the HT it's always we don't need that. So when I get something I make sure we have the funds for it. Day I ordered my Signatures I got paid from some of my side woodwork. I told her I am ordering this. Adorama had the sale on the S60, S20 and S30 for $800 which was almost the checks that got handed over.

Good luck to you.

Mikey081057

I just got an SVS SB 2000. Very impressive sub for the money.Sealed but does well in HT/ Music
service. Best customer service in the business and beautiful in piano black

F1nut

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I see no high level connections on any of the SVS subs.

Nightfall

Sickman wrote: »

Music is important, as it may be the only way I can get it in the door without my girlfriend killing me in my sleep. If she can jam her EDM and have it hit the way she wants I may be safe. I've bought a 65" 4k HDR TV, these speakers, and that receiver all in the past month. She's about to flip her $hit when it comes to this stuff. I've discovered shopping for a sub may be harder than the speakers were. I'm leaning towards the Hsu VTF-1 MK3. Problem is, I can't lie to my girlfriend about how much I spent. I always thought subwoofers were a cheaper, more complimentary part of a HT, learning quickly that's not the case. Lol

Maybe you should wait. Keep the peace. Enjoy the new big 4k TV and sound setup for a while, get to know how it sounds.

PSOVLSK

Nightfall wrote: »

Sickman wrote: »

Music is important, as it may be the only way I can get it in the door without my girlfriend killing me in my sleep. If she can jam her EDM and have it hit the way she wants I may be safe. I've bought a 65" 4k HDR TV, these speakers, and that receiver all in the past month. She's about to flip her $hit when it comes to this stuff. I've discovered shopping for a sub may be harder than the speakers were. I'm leaning towards the Hsu VTF-1 MK3. Problem is, I can't lie to my girlfriend about how much I spent. I always thought subwoofers were a cheaper, more complimentary part of a HT, learning quickly that's not the case. Lol

Maybe you should wait. Keep the peace. Enjoy the new big 4k TV and sound setup for a while, get to know how it sounds.

As much as I like my recommendation for a new SVS, The Voice of Reason has given excellent advice here, especially considering all the new stuff you just got. Add the sub to the mix in 6 months to a year and you'll get to experience having a "new" system all over again.

WsW

PSOVLSK wrote: »

Nightfall wrote: »

Sickman wrote: »

Music is important, as it may be the only way I can get it in the door without my girlfriend killing me in my sleep. If she can jam her EDM and have it hit the way she wants I may be safe. I've bought a 65" 4k HDR TV, these speakers, and that receiver all in the past month. She's about to flip her $hit when it comes to this stuff. I've discovered shopping for a sub may be harder than the speakers were. I'm leaning towards the Hsu VTF-1 MK3. Problem is, I can't lie to my girlfriend about how much I spent. I always thought subwoofers were a cheaper, more complimentary part of a HT, learning quickly that's not the case. Lol

Maybe you should wait. Keep the peace. Enjoy the new big 4k TV and sound setup for a while, get to know how it sounds.

As much as I like my recommendation for a new SVS, The Voice of Reason has given excellent advice here, especially considering all the new stuff you just got. Add the sub to the mix in 6 months to a year and you'll get to experience having a "new" system all over again.

BOOOOOOO!!!!

tonyb

Save your cereal box tops, a 2-300 buck budget isn't going to buy you a subwoofer with enough slam to make a big improvement over the speakers itself.

The Velodyne, SVS, HSU suggestions are spot on though.

txcoastal1

Agree, save up, don't rush,
....buy your girl friend a purse or a pair of shoes in the mean time

tonyb

....or go to your local Casino, craps table....put 300 on the no pass line. That would be my preference over a ...purse.

Sickman

Thanks for all the recommendations! I'm good on money, so I don't really need to save. I'm still in research mode, so I can wait for a sale to pop up, just have to avoid the itch to buy now. The other day I had her play some tunes to see how much improved the sound was over our sound bar, after about an hour of taking turns back and forth she had a queue of about 10 songs she wanted to hear. I think we're going to be okay! Hahaha!

I probably should have posted the specs of my room. I'm in a carpeted 18 x 25 x 9. Large opening to the dining room and another opening to the entryway, with the couch between to two. I've decided on sealed, for music purposes. I know ported would still be good, but I need to cut some of my options out so I don't go too crazy. So much information to absorb with buying subs!

Sickman

Also, she's well taken care of. She just got some new shoes, and we're taking a trip to Fredericksburg this weekend. Though I'll make sure to spoil her more as needed. I think she'll enjoy these even more once she can really feel it during movies. Thanks again!

mrloren

For sealed her are the 3 I would look at

#1 https://www.amazon.com/SVS-SB12-NSD-400-watt-Controlled-Subwoofer/dp/B009F8Y7SO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1492211011&sr=8-3&keywords=svs @ $400 each maybe 2

#2 http://hsuresearch.com/products/uls-15mk2.html

# 3 https://www.svsound.com/products/sb13-ultra

It's all in how much you want to spend, on these 3 the more you spend the more slam you will have

Sickman

Yeah, I looked at the SB12, and just about have my heart set on it. I was actually looking at SB-1000, and then saw that. Sucks I missed the SVS clearance last year, would have been nice to get the Bill of Rights with it. Buying from a 3rd party is the only thing stopping me. My new budget bumped up to $500, so I'll be looking a bit more. Does HSU ever have sales? The VTF-2 MK5 is a possibility.

Mikey081057

I just got an SVS SB2000 in piano black and it very impressive little sub. i went sealed for this room as it is a combination room with HT duty as well. After having a few crappy subs, SVS definitely was a huge upgrade for me. Their CS is awesome too.