Front Firing vrs Down Firing Subs

PPuleo

My HT is in the basement, concrete floor, covered with carpet. As I put together the HT, I heard that with "rugs" I should use a front firing sub verses on hardwood where a down firing sub would be a better choice. So I went with a PSW 303. The sound is good but I probably should have gone with the 505 for a more overpowering effect. I'm now looking at the SVS's, and wondered about down firing vrs front firing.....what's the story.

Also what's the word on the tube style verses the box (SVS)

Thanks......

PolkWannabie

Almost all SVS's are down firing ...

Look at the write ups on their site for why THEY think down firing is preferable which I personally in most cases don't disagree with especially when they have their own base as the SVS's do.

Cylinders will weigh less but be taller and thus probably be more visible. Again check SVS's write ups for more specific differences.

The reality of cylinders .vs. boxes are IMHO more about personal preference than anything else.

PPuleo

I noticed that the SVS's have a bottom plate. I have read the info on the SVS site, it sounds good, and it seems that the SVS are becoming a favorite of many folks. I would like to think the question of front vrs down isn't a big issue especially if you buy on with enough umph behind it. The cylinders vrs box seem to be more of an esthetics issues, I like the box. Thanks.

VR3

Cylinder vs Box -- Is not only personal preference, but ease to build, and the 'preferred design' --- the air flows more 'naturally' through the tube and out the ports, than in a box. Thus making it easier to build. No bracing is required. The tube dosnt flex or resonate. ---- A box sub will flex, resonate, the whole nine yards. --- atleast if I understand this correct. Both are great, but one offers advantages...

PolkWannabie

Originally posted by PPuleo

Where in NJ are you from ? I'm live in Denville which is mid Morris County.

Dr. Spec

The baseplate provides a consistent firing surface for the woofer, regardless of location. It also allows for the use of optional compliant rubber feet for slippery hard floors.

There is really not much of an audible difference between downward and forward firing; bass waves are too long to really be affected by that aspect of the design.

If you have an exposed woofer firing down, if you place it on carpet, the carpet might absorb/lessen the audibility of some of the higher order distortion harmonics if the woofer is of poor(er) quality.

Sid is pretty much right about the cylinder (except for the air flow bit). Cylinders are inherently strong in all directions and largely resonance-free (they will support a resonance frequency, but it is typically well above the bandwidth of the subwoofer). Cylinders are less expensive to manufacture compared to boxes. Boxes are heavier, harder to build properly, and more expensive. But a properly designed box and tube will sound identical with the same hardware/vent/tune. The woofer only knows how much air is inside the enclosure, not what shape the container is.

Doc

PPuleo

Dr. Spec, thanks for the information. I think I will look into the down firing, especially the SVS's. Other than knowing a buddy who ownes one, which I don't, are there any stores where they can be demo'd.

PPuleo

I live in Shamong Township, east of Medford in southern Burlington County...........in the pinelands.

tonkovich

Sorry to be so horribly "untechnical" about this, but I can tell you from personal experience that any SVS sub will play noticeably lower, louder, and tighter than the Polk (I owned a PSW450 before I bought SVS's "entry level" PB1-ISD and the difference was dramatic). If you just want to be assured that the SVS is worth the money then let me assure you. Don't even worry about the forward firing vs. downward firing issue, get the SVS if you want better sound and can afford it. You will be glad you did!

gatemplin

There are no SVS stores. They sell only over the internet. You can try and find a Paradigm dealer and listen to their high end subs. They should be in the same ballpark. The Signature Servo, Seismic 12, Servo 15 and PW2200.

gatemplin

Also the HSU subs are comparable to some of the SVS line but they can be found on the net and it some stores. I think it is called Comp USA?? Anyway check them out at www.hsuresearch.com

PPuleo

I'm convinced, when I get the cash.........buy the SVS, box or cylindar.......

m_brandt

Buy a sub that is both foward and downfired they are the best.

dorokusai

You can't go wrong with an SVS or HSU, buy what fits the wallet.

m_brandt - Your name isn't Mike is it? And what are you talking about? Forward and downfiring....you mean ported forward or a dual woofer enclosure?

m_brandt

No my name is not Mike. I mean dual woofers. Dcm sub2 dual fired woofers. Front and down fired. Dual 12" woofers.

Kpt_Krunch

Originally posted by gatemplin
There are no SVS stores. They sell only over the internet. You can try and find a Paradigm dealer and listen to their high end subs. They should be in the same ballpark. The Signature Servo, Seismic 12, Servo 15 and PW2200.

HI all - just to throw my 2 cents in here. I orignally bought a PSW404 sub as an upgrade to our original sub, an old yammy (like 12 years old) and was more of an apartment sub, not a HT sub. Anyway, I was very underimpressed with the PSW, did some searching, found some forums, and basically discovered that Polk, although making fine speakers (although some argue that too, but I like 'em just fine) their sub's are not up to par for the money.

Since I am in Canada, SVS was too expensive, and very concerned if it arrived damaged, as the shipping is not refundable, and it can be very expensive. After some auditioning, I went with the Paradigm PW2200 V.2 - a front firing sub for my HT room. My HT room is in the first level of my basement. It sits on a concrete, carpeted floor, in a space of about 2700 cubic feet (15 x 24 x 7.5). The amp is rated at 400 watts RMS, with a peak of 1500 watts - far more powerful than any Polk sub. As for volume, it is quite loud, not boomy though, not boomy at all. I once had it a the half way mark, and I thought my ceiling pot lights were gonna come down on me

For a little over $900 cdn, this PW2200 cannot be beat IMO, it sounds great, looks great, and has all the volume I need. It easily shakes my couch, 15 feet away, at about 10:30 or 11:00 on the volume, and I can't see any other sub performing any better, for that price, in my room.

Good luck in your search!