Best center to go with S60's?

cfrizz

Wow, you are going to have a chance to audition the Polks before you buy, great, that will give you a better idea of how they sound. just be aware that they probably won't be set up optimally but they are fantastic speakers.

mrloren

Give the HTS a try then. That is a lot of coin for a house even in CND.

If you get the Denon, Audyssey will set the sub volume for your listening position or where ever you set the mic up at. In a room as big as your it will push the limits of the subs. I'd start off with the subs close to the S60's and go from there. Get the front stage set and enjoy a good flick.

As for a single sub not being able to fill your room. I have my nice 5000sqf warehouse at work. I had my VTF3 shipped to the office. I unboxed it put it on a cart and gave it a go. I got the AVR to -15db and the cube farm was complaining of shaking. The old Sony 12" never even came close.

WLDock

dkhc wrote: »

-Budget is a consideration otherwise I'd be looking at a pair of ultra 16's. Now, I do own a millwork shop and could easily build and finish (in house spraybooth) a box but have no idea about components.

-Honestly, I would feel that anything below a pair of pb3000's or vtf15hmk2's will end up being a compromise anyway so I'd rather save the dough.

-Any thoughts of adding a single big boy down the road and and cross it over low (maybe ~30-40 hz) to handle the gravy that I may be blissfully missing with the hts's?

I think the above are reasons to pause on the HTS. It seems to review well and seems like a nice option at $250 range however you have DIY skills. Many in the DIY community have spoken of their journey from subs like the Polk then on to the ID brands like SVS, HSU, then on to DIY. Many say after going DIY they will never go back.

In Canada, you can get Dayton Audio. The 12' Ultimax UM12-22 works in a 5.58 cu ft ported enclosure tuned to 17Hz

The drivers costs $238.24 each CAD at Solen
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/um12-22/

The 15" is $291.36 but you needs a much larger enclosure
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/um15-22/

Parts express ships to Canada as well:
https://www.parts-express.com/dayton-audio-um12-22-12-ultimax-dvc-subwoofer-2-ohms-per-coil--295-512

Also, there are DIY plans over on AVS Forum for the slot ported Marty Sub range of designs - https://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1648673-martysub-faq.html

The MicroCube uses the Dayton Audio 390ho driver https://www.avsforum.com/forum/155-diy-speakers-subs/1570002-living-room-micro-cube.html
$285.52 - https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/rss390ho-4/

For amps, the Beringer NX3000 is a good value: https://www.parts-express.com/behringer-nx3000-ultra-lightweight-class-d-3000w-power-amplifier--248-7012

Even if you can only afford a single ported 15"-18" it will crush the Polk options and can compete and even surpass some of the SVS, HSU offerings for less money. Many will prefer a big bad single sub over two less capable options. Get out there and listen to what the DIY crowd is doing and saying about their projects. Myself, I just went from a single DIY Stereo Integrity HT15 to two HT15 or two Dayton UM15-22 subs. We'll see!

Slot ported Ultimax UM12-22


Ported MartyCube UM15-22


Sealed UM15-22


Sealed UM18-22


Ported MartyCube UM18-22



With your shop skills and the large space, there are many possibilities even within a $700-$1000 CAD budget.

WLDock

Solen.ca sells the re-released legendary Adire Audio Shiva,Tempest, & Brahma drivers as well....but they are not cheap!

Shiva - $292.49 CAD
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/adire_shiva_adsh12d4_subwoofer/

Tempest - $389.99 CAD
https://solen.ca/products/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/adire_tempest_adtm15d4_subwoofer/

All drivers
https://solen.ca/product-category/speakers/home-speakers/subwoofers/?filter_manufacturer=adire-audio

https://www.adireaudio.com/

dkhc

Thanks @WLDock for the diy info and links. Definitely something I'm considering. Pretty slammed at work right now for a sub build so I'll likely still pick up at least a single hts12 (if it auditions well) then take my time and build the big boy to get those lowest frequencies.

I think I'd prefer the diy route over buying a $1000+ ID sub as long as it doesn't compromise sound quality. Are there any issues mixing subs? Like having a pair of hts12's with a ported UM18-22? I'm assuming timbre matching isn't a concern but is there anything else that could mess with the mix?

mrloren

The DIY are not bad, few I've heard were good on movies and not so much on music.

There was this guy who made custom sub using JL Audio car woofers. They were good but way over priced.

Mixing subs is hit an miss. Best to always have the same subs when going dual or more.

Get the HTS (1 or 2) try it, rock them and you might like it.

I still say @ $500 one VTF2 would be a lot better. In the end it's your money.

WLDock

dkhc wrote: »

I think I'd prefer the diy route over buying a $1000+ ID sub as long as it doesn't compromise sound quality.

Many DIY drivers produce low distortion and high output. Box tuning and room integration are just as important depending on what final result you are after.