Ugh! Subwoofers.

codyc1ark
codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
Well, I've been reading up on subs for about a week now, after a well documented transaction in our FM, I've decided to go a different route for now. I've narrowed it down to three, I think. HSU STF-2, ED A2-300, or a Epik Legend. I guess I'm just here to vent, I can afford any one of them, but do I want to? I'm sure this is something we all struggle with, but I'm upgrading from a PSW10, and I don't want to be in the same boat here in a year. Do I just throw money at the problem and get the Legend, or do I go budget friendly and get the HSU? I know there is a fellow NC'er that is getting the ED very soon, so I'd like to see what he says before I pull the trigger, besides, I'm fairly partial to all things from the Hawkeye state. Anyone here with any real world experience with the Legend or HSU? Just looking for a little 'push' in any direction, and would like to see if anyone has any opinions.

Ugh! Subwoofers.
Post edited by codyc1ark on

Comments

  • Tony M
    Tony M Posts: 11,151
    edited January 2011
    Get yourself 2 subs for the money. :biggrin::biggrin:
    But then you need space for them..:frown:

    Really, some members have what you want (I think) and hope they chime in real quick to help you with your choice.

    I love my two 12"ers. They aren't very expensive but they do fill my 18x21 room full of vibrations and low end.
    Most people just listen to music and watch movies. I EXPERIENCE them.
  • VR3
    VR3 Posts: 28,641
    edited January 2011
    My ED should be here Wednesday-Friday or so..

    I will run it HT and music for ya :)
    - Not Tom ::::::: Any system can play Diana Krall. Only the best can play Limp Bizkit.
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited January 2011
    My ED should be here Wednesday-Friday or so..

    I will run it HT and music for ya :)

    Good deal. Talked with HSU today, they had great customer service and answered all of my questions. Pointed me to the VTF-1, but said the STF-1 would also work for my application. Then I spoke to Chad over at Epik, couldn't be a nicer guy. Of course he promoted his own product, but wasn't pushy at all. I'm leaning to the Legend, mostly because its sealed enclosure, and 12" (DUAL!) woofers, but it won't be available until late February, I suppose I can wait.
  • Polkie2009
    Polkie2009 Posts: 3,834
    edited January 2011
    Cody, tell us what size listening room are you trying to fill? Is it sealed or have open areas to other parts of the house?
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited January 2011
    Ah, the room question. Its a 13' x 16'6" with 8 foot cealings. It has two open doors leading into similar sized room. I think I'm getting a lot of gain from my room, the PSW10 seems to 'dig' at times, but I don't really believe that its all in the sub. Sooo... about 1700 sq/ft. I spoke with Chad yesterday at Epik, and forgot to ask my most important question about the Legend. I can have it up front with my setup, or sit it in between my couch and built in bookshelfs with glass doors, wondering if the side firing woofers would be effected by this placement. Due to placement issues, may have to go with a ported sub, but I haven't answered that question yet.
  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited January 2011
    I am looking at the Epik Legends also. I have heard good thinks about Epik and they are in my back yard. Anybody here have the legends? How would they compare to a Definitive Supercube 1 that I currently have. My room size is 15 x 20 ft with 12 ft high ceiling. Any Legend owners out ther please let us know what you think of these subs, thanks!
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
  • dekuda
    dekuda Posts: 756
    edited January 2011
    dekuda wrote: »
    I am looking at the Epik Legends also. I have heard good thinks about Epik and they are in my back yard. Anybody here have the legends? How would they compare to a Definitive Supercube 1 that I currently have. My room size is 15 x 20 ft with 12 ft high ceiling. Any Legend owners out ther please let us know what you think of these subs, thanks!

    Nevermind, I found the review here of these. http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=107550&highlight=epik+legend

    Can anyone tell me how these Legends would compare to my Def tech Supercube 1 ?
    HT System
    Parasound Halo A51 Amp, Marantz AV 8003 Pre, Arcam FMJ CD36 cd player, Marantz 7007 BD/SACD player,Acoustic Zen Matrix IC's, Analysis Plus Crystal Copper Oval IC's, Acoustic Zen Satori speaker cables, B&W 703's Fronts, Center Martin Logan Motif hybrid, Surrounds DefTech BPX, 2 X DefTech Supercube Reference Subs, DSpeaker Antimode 8033 EQ.
  • rio203
    rio203 Posts: 15
    edited January 2011
  • rio203
    rio203 Posts: 15
    edited January 2011
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited February 2011
    Alright, all debts are paid, and I think I'm ready to pull the trigger this week. This is what I'm considering, and I'm wondering if any members have heard any of these, would love some input. This is going to be the most expensive audio purchase for me ever, so I'd like to get it right the first time!

    1) Outlaw LFM-1 Plus
    2) Epik Legend (should be available near end of the month)
    3) HSU VTF-2 MK3
    4) ED A5s-300 (and wait 3-4 weeks)

    I think the LFM would work best, I have only two placement options for now, near field between a wall and the couch, or up front with everything else. If you read above, I don't have a huge room, but it opens into two other rooms, so I don't think for a minute that I'll be able to pressurize my space. I do want something that is going to be musical, that’s why I'm considering two sealed subs, but have heard good things about the HSU and Outlaw on that side as well. Any input, jests, or advice is ALWAYS appreciated. Thanks in advance.
  • stangjason
    stangjason Posts: 341
    edited February 2011
    My VTF-1 is a sweet and very smooth subwoofer. I can't see myself buying any other brand for the rest of my life. I can't say anything for or against any of the other subwoofers but I can't imagine you being disappointed in the VTF-2 MK3.

    My room is an open floor plan and the VTF-1 rattled my wifes clock off of the wall in the kitchen when I cranked it up for the beginning of Batman; while my wife was away of course. Oh and music has never sounded any better to me through the VTF-1, very musical IMO.
    Pioneer vsx-1120k, B&K Sonata series video-5 amplifier, Polk Rti8, Fxi3, Csi5, and HSU VTF-1
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited February 2011
    Thanks for the input. The only reason that I'm considering the Outlaw above the HSU is that they say HSU helped in designing with this line of Outlaw subs, and that they are pretty much the same dimensions, weight, and price, however Outlaw states a 350w amp opposed to the HSU which is 250w.
  • TNHNDYMAN
    TNHNDYMAN Posts: 2,145
    edited February 2011
    Good luck w/ the choice Cody. I would love to hear your impressions once you have the new one setup or maybe even "hear" it if we get together sometime this spring. I'm using a budget Sony SA-WM40 for now and will want to upgrade in the next year most likely.
    2-ch System: Parasound P/LD 2000 pre, Parasound HCA-1000 amp, Parasound T/DQ Tuner, Phase Technology PC-100 Tower speakers, Technics SL-1600 Turntable, Denon 2910 SACD/CD player, Peachtree DAC iT and X1asynchorus USB converter, HSU VTF-3 subwoofer.

  • cnh
    cnh Posts: 13,284
    edited February 2011
    All those subs would do. I'd listen to a few because ANY 12" (or 15") sub that reaches to the low 20hz range or lower and has a few hundred watt RMS or more digital amp in it can MOVE enough air to RATTLE a room that size. It can shake the second floor as well. As far as THUMP...lots of more budget subs have that. The problem comes, not so much for films, but for 'music' because those very formidable AIR-MOVERS (and mine is ONE that cost almost nothing), start to labor and sound 'slow' when it comes to the demanding 'accuracy' of some musical material. That's why most of the subs you list are good. Frankly, they don't sound that much better than my sub on LFEs--perhaps a bit. But they're in the next league when it comes to musical bass.

    Have some fun with your purchase.

    cnh
    Currently orbiting Bowie's Blackstar.!

    Polk Lsi-7s, Def Tech 8" sub, HK 3490, HK HD 990 (CDP/DAC), AKG Q701s
    [sig. changed on a monthly basis as I rotate in and out of my stash]
  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,081
    edited February 2011
    Don't rule out a VMPS sub with an external power amp. Very musical subs.
  • stangjason
    stangjason Posts: 341
    edited February 2011
    codyc1ark wrote: »
    Thanks for the input. The only reason that I'm considering the Outlaw above the HSU is that they say HSU helped in designing with this line of Outlaw subs, and that they are pretty much the same dimensions, weight, and price, however Outlaw states a 350w amp opposed to the HSU which is 250w.


    My VTF-1 only needs to be turned up about a quarter of the way and above that is too loud for the speaker calibration.
    Pioneer vsx-1120k, B&K Sonata series video-5 amplifier, Polk Rti8, Fxi3, Csi5, and HSU VTF-1
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited February 2011
    Update - 'Sub-Day' is March One! - I'll post then. :)
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited March 2011
    I was at the house over lunch and FedEx showed up! Wish I wasn't that busy today and could have taken the rest of the day off, whoa is me. I unboxed it, and I'm letting it sit until I get home this afternoon to fire it up, took some pics but I can't get it to upload, so I'll work on that tonight for everyone. As far as packaging, it looks like Outlaw packed this thing to survive WW3, no marks that I saw, and FedEx did a good job of taking care of the box on its way home! I'm veeeery excited to fire it up tonight, more to come!! :biggrin:
  • codyc1ark
    codyc1ark Posts: 2,532
    edited March 2011
    I wish I could get my packed, and unpacking photos to upload, but I used an older camera of mine, and I think after all these years, it will only produce 'corrupt' photos. Here's a side by side of the PSW10 and the back/bottom of the LFM-1 Plus. I can say that at fist glance, the quality of this sub is great. No flaws in the finish, the plexiglas top is a very nice addition to it. I have the spikes under it, and on discs for the hardwood. I think I'm going to do a gramma build, but have to do some research on materials for it. I stopped in at a local radio shack, but to my dismay, no SPL meters. Ugh, SPL meters. No impressions as of yet, the ol' lady is watching a show on MS13 on Spike, so I'll have to wait, but already have War of the Worlds in the PS3, and letting the sub do some break-in on TV. I'll post my initial impressions in a few days, going to demo WOTW, X-Men Legends, and then watch Flight of the Phoenix this evening. It’s going to be a great night! Right now its going to be corner loaded right next to that right SDA, but I'm going to order a long RCA from Monoprice and place it in between a cabinet and our couch for a near field placement and see how I like that. She hasn’t asked the price of it yet, and I'm going to keep my fingers crossed that she doesn't. After getting this dialed in, I'm going to focus on my summer projects, upgrading my AVR and the SDA's. Whew, I can't wait to give this thing a test drive!!
  • aboroth00
    aboroth00 Posts: 1,106
    edited March 2011
    Very cool. I've always liked the look of the plexiglass top. I recently made my own sub isolation platforms, so if you need any advice for materials or construction, shoot me a PM.
    2Ch Tube Audio Convert
  • p1schotwheelz
    p1schotwheelz Posts: 6
    edited March 2011
    Nice lookin setup! I am jealous!
    Erik
    Hk avr 630
    Hk avr 2600
    Sub 25 :biggrin:
    sda-1
    Rotel