Which sub to replace PSW125 for HT?

Dmega

I would like some recommendations for a new sub woofer please.

My room is L shaped with the main viewing area being approx. 11'x19'x8' and is open to the other area being approx. 14'x10x 7'.

My system consists of Polk 2 - RTI A9's, CSI A6 and 4 - SC60's plus 4 Harman Kardon satellites and of course the PSW 125.

I really want to keep the money spent below a grand.

Based on my research online many people suggest SVS sub woofers for their price to sound ratio. I'm in Canada and I can't find HSU dealers to compare to the SVS distribution.

Are there any good alternatives to SVS I should look at?

If not which SVS makes the most sense the sb1000 or pb1000?

The SVS merlin says to go with something much more expensive so I passed on that and called SVS direct. Their recommendation would be the pb2000 or 2x pb1000's.

Thanks in advanced.

I also forgot to say my local AV retailer had suggested I get a JL sub woofer. Should I wait and save up for one of these?

rooftop59

For that size room I would definitely go ported, and I would get the bigger of the two subs, the PB2000. i am assuming you are just using this for the .1 LFE channel with those massive mains, correct? If so I would choose one big over two smaller subs. If you will be running them with music then dual subs is the way to go.

Dmega

rooftop59 wrote: »

For that size room I would definitely go ported, and I would get the bigger of the two subs, the PB2000. i am assuming you are just using this for the .1 LFE channel with those massive mains, correct? If so I would choose one big over two smaller subs. If you will be running them with music then dual subs is the way to go.

Yeah I like to run music too. Budget wise i think I could really do one sub right now but I like the idea of duels. Are there any other options for reasonable price?

I'm thinking saving up for the JL audio might be over kill.

jwb0007

Dmega, I also have an "L-shaped" area, plus a kitchen open and adjoining it. And I value good music reproduction just as highly as HT.

So, having fairly similar conditions and equipment to you, I have a (one) Outlaw LFM-1EX 12" down-firing ported sub. With approximately 7000 cubic feet, I cannot imagine needing (or wanting) more or better low end contribution. I LOVE how things sound!

Now, I am sure there are many much more knowledgeable, and with much better and informed hearing, but for a reasonably informed and aware audio consumer, I found that my one sub does the job magnificently, and thereby made it unnecessary to adopt the two sub or 4 sub approach that some had recommended (and seemed to enjoy very much themselves). And, the rest of the truth, I am quite satisfied to leave decorations on the wall or tabletops, rather than retrieving from the floor and repairing or replacing.

My $0.02.

Dmega

jwb0007 wrote: »

Dmega, I also have an "L-shaped" area, plus a kitchen open and adjoining it. And I value good music reproduction just as highly as HT.

So, having fairly similar conditions and equipment to you, I have a (one) Outlaw LFM-1EX 12" down-firing ported sub. With approximately 7000 cubic feet, I cannot imagine needing (or wanting) more or better low end contribution. I LOVE how things sound!

Now, I am sure there are many much more knowledgeable, and with much better and informed hearing, but for a reasonably informed and aware audio consumer, I found that my one sub does the job magnificently, and thereby made it unnecessary to adopt the two sub or 4 sub approach that some had recommended (and seemed to enjoy very much themselves). And, the rest of the truth, I am quite satisfied to leave decorations on the wall or tabletops, rather than retrieving from the floor and repairing or replacing.

My $0.02.

I will probably just get the one svs and see later if I need more. Based on the cdn prices it looks like the pb1000 will my only choice as my options seem to be limited.

jwb0007

Will be interested to hear your thoughts about it. You may have a pleasant surprise in store--a great complement to your existing sound stage, and an agreeable cost--and not a "limitation" at all!

Dmega

Heres a followup...I spent some time at my local AV retailer yesterday evaluating the JL e 112 sealed sub. It gets great reviews so I went in with higher expectations plus the sticker price is like 3 times more than I want to spend.

The e112 was limited by the size of the store but it did sound pretty good. I did appreciate the timing of the sub and it did growl low...except for some floor vibrations I did not feel the bass.

Personally I did learn something about decoupling the subwoofer from the floor. I helped the sales rep to move a foam slab covered with a sheet of metal from below the sub woofer. After watching the climatic scene of startrek I rewatched the scene having replaced the insulating pad.

I noted the bass sounded clearer than before and very little ground vibration. I was skeptical at first and I really tried to be biased against the isolation pad but I have to give it some credit, I enjoyed the sound track better.

That said I think I need a ported subs regardless of the quality of the sealed subs. I'm starting to think I should go for the sb2000 more and more but the pc 2000 is very interesting to me as its a little slimmer.

rooftop59

If yiu have a roommate and he/she will allow it, then I would consider the PC 2000. Slightly deeper extension and greater output, and very linear. And it's lighter and has a smaller footprint.

Dmega

rooftop59 wrote: »

If yiu have a roommate and he/she will allow it, then I would consider the PC 2000. Slightly deeper extension and greater output, and very linear. And it's lighter and has a smaller footprint.

Yeah I noticed everything you have said based on my online research...I'm starting to crush on it but damn it looks like a water heater. That said I have a dedicated area with the screen wall painted black so any black sub/speaker disappears.

Dmega

Okay here's an update. I ended up moving my speakers around and re calibrating. The sub woofer is in the corner of the room and the floor standers are now crossed over at 100hz. The results are fantastic when watching movies like star trek, the force awakens and Jurassic world. The psw125 is really not that bad in this current placement. Before I liked to listen to music in stereo only as the RTIa9's were just as good with bass as the sub woofer. Now with the switch in speaker placement there is no doubt I like the 2.1 setup better. Still I'm curious what the svs would sound like.

tonyb

Bottom line....the SVS will sound 3 times better than the sub you have now, period. Any SVS owner will collaborate that statement too.

Dmega

I passed by the local audio store today...the JL e 112 has a sticker price of 2900 cdn. I can get it for 2000 cdn which is about 240 cheaper than the svs sb13ultra. Out of my budget right now but maybe worth saving up for?

Dmega

I'm going to bump this...can anyone tell me what's the street price for the JL e112 in the US or Canada. I'm not sure if i can get it lower than 2000 cdn?

Dmega

Alright I just placed the order for the svs pb2000. I should get it by thursday or Friday.

Dmega

John Megadeth wrote: »

As I mentioned in another subwoofer thread on here, I love my PB-1000. I think you'll greatly enjoy the PB-2000.

Hi John. So far the pb2000 is great. I was going to run it by itself but decided to use my psw 125 in tandem. They blend surpringly well and I'm happy to say bass is pretty linear to about 15 hz.