Subsonics

PhysicsCoder

I'm gonna take the plunge and get me a sub soon.

I've never been much of a bass freak, so I don't need power. What I'm going for is clean, pure bass to round-out my system. My mains (rt55i's and a cs400i) have a surprisingly good bass response down to around 45 Hz or so. I'm not looking to amplify the bass that's already there, just to fill in that bottom octave that my 55i's can't hit. I listen to lots of music, so I need tight and clean sound, but I also would like to get thumped in the chest during a movie.

Now, my instincts tell me to get a speaker with sub-sonic response, say down to 16 Hz, for the same reason I want tweeters with super-sonic response. However, that gets really expensive really fast.

So, the question becomes, how much does sub-sonic response REALLY matter, how much signal is near or below 20 Hz. I'm looking at the SVS pb1 (I think that's the one...their small cube) which has a -3dB rating to 22 Hz. That's low, and I would guess that it has some reasonable response down below 20 Hz as well. Or should I spend the money and get the cylinder that hits 16 Hz? Would any of the higher-end Polk subs be worth it?

Again, I'm not looking to shake the tiles off my roof, I just want a system with a flat response from 20 to 20,000 Hz. And I'd also like to avoid going into debt.


Thanks.

jdhdiggs

What type of music do you listen to? (Organ music goes down to 16Hz, Piano to 27Hz) How big is your room?

If your room is not too large, I would think the 16-46 PCi or + would work really well given your initial desires.

PhysicsCoder

I listen to every kind of music except country (no offense to anyone here, it's just not my thing). Litterally. I have CD cases for Beethoven, Cream, Korn, Dr.Dre, Metallica, Rasputina, and the Cheiftans on top of my CD player right now.

As for movies, the DTS 6.1 sound tracks on the Lord of the Rings movies are my bellwether for any system.

My room is about 14x16, more or less. But one wall is all windows, and the other "wall" is just an archway into the next room.

dave shepard

I would say the pb1 or pb2isd would fit in nicely. The pb2 with 2 drivers will give you the added flexability to shake the room for HT if you should ever want too. Just my two cents.

Good luck

Dave

Early B.

You have to be clear on exactly what you want. You say you don't need a lot of power, but the PB1 you're considering ain't no pussycat. If you're not careful, it'll damn near shatter your whole wall of windows.

Since it sounds like you play mostly music and you're looking for "clean, pure bass", don't get sidetracked by how low the sub can go. Just because a sub can go real low doesn't mean it will produce the kind of bass you may be looking for. Set a price range and find the best sub for you that fits within it.

I was in your shoes a couple of weeks ago and eventually decided to purchase a Hsu sub. For my room size, budget, listening preferences, WAF, reviews, and quality, it was the best fit for me. It's awesome for music and movies.

Dr. Spec

Generally a smaller room with a corner loaded sub will provide some "room gain", which boosts the lowest frequencies beyond what you would see anechoic or ground plane.

This phenomenon can extend the FR of a sub about 3-4 Hz, so a sub with a 22 Hz tune might be flat to 18 Hz in-room before rolling off.

At any rate, the 20-39PCi would be an outstanding choice in that size room unless you really want to pound, and will be flat to about 17 Hz in-room.

Due to the larger arch opening, possibly a 20-39PC+ or a PB2-ISD if you are going to be pushing it on HT.

HBombToo

Originally posted by Dr. Spec


At any rate, the 20-39PCi would be an outstanding choice in that size room unless you really want to pound, and will be flat to about 17 Hz in-room.

Buy a sub in which you will never be ashamed. I have Two:p

CS+ and if you can go BIGGER!

Its all in fun

Twin