HSU, SVS, M&K! How do I choose?!?!?

JcM

I've been reading the forum for about the past weeks while three putting together my polk system. I really appreciate all the people that have posted and shared their ideas freely.

First off I'll give you some info on my setup:

Stuff I've ordered:
LSi15s
LSi9s
LSi C

Stuff I'm thinking of ordering:
HK AVR 635
New Monster cable
Monster Quick lock Spades
Monster Powercentre HTS 3600

Stuff I have:
Toshiba 27" CRT
Toshiba DVD Player-an old model no PS

AMD athlon 3200+
Dual 74gig raptors in raid 0
Maxtor Diamond max 10 300gig
ATI X800 AIW
Soundblaster Audigy 2 Platinum Pro (digital coax out, and optical out)
24bit processing 192khz/108db SNR
1 gig dual channel corsair
plextor 716SA 16x SATA DVD burner
Plextor 708A 8x ATA DVD burner
Thermaltake tsunami case with dynamat and quiet fans
OCZ modstream 520 watt powersupply
Cambridge soundworks DTT3500 Digital Speaker Set

I encode most of my music to WMA lossless and store it on my 300gig HD. I am currently using a set of cambridge soundworks speakers 5.1 (DTT3500 digital). They are top on the line computer speakers, but thats all they are.

I am in the process of building my dream music and movie audio experience, and I had no problem picking the speakers. The sub is the really problem.

My dealer is recommending an M&K sub, the V-125, because I can get a great deal on it($700). The problem is that it isn't all that powerful from what I've heard. It isn't ported, and the magnet isn't that large. (from what I've heard)

I'm willing to spend about $600-800. I could stomach as much as $1000 as an absolute upper limit, unless someone convinces me otherwise .Many people seem to have HSU and SVS subs. Would owners of these subs care to comment about the subs they have, and what I could find in that price range.

My room is about 20' by 15' with 10' ceilings.

I am concerned with QUALITY over power. I listen to about 60% music and 40% movies in 5.1. Mostly Jazz, Classical, and some Rock when I listen to music.

Thanks for your help,

Julian

gregure

Julian,

Thanks for sharing. Here are a few ideas.
First of all, sorry to break it to you, but the HK 635 will simply not be enough for the LSi speakers. You may get decent sound, but nowhere near the "dream" sound you deserve based on the money you spent. Saddle up to the pony for a pricier receiver if you want the sound you're paying for. My advice, either an NAD T773 (heard great things about this unit-cost is $1700) or a B&K 505 ($3100). Both of those units are at the more affordable end of the high end market, and they will do wonders for your system.

As for subwoofer, SVS is always a sure bet. For the ultimate never look back buy, I think the SVS PB 12 Ultra would be an excellent choice, given the Ultra driver is their best. It will overshoot your sub budget by a couple hundred, but would be well worth it.

As an alternative, may I recommend the Martin Logan Grotto. It's a single 10" aluminum driver, but you'd never know it from the sound. It hits hard, deep, and with the tightness and accuracy one would expect from a sealed sub. It is also small, and attractively designed in a triangular shape. Very easy to place and move, and shakes the whole sales floor at the dealer I work at. It retails for about $1000 (currently on sale for like $960 I think). It would be an excellent choice, and goes to 22Hz strong, and has a gentle roll off being sealed, as opposed to ported subs' instant drop-off.

We also carry M&K speakers, and their subs are very nice, but a little too boomy for my tastes, plus they're more designed for movie experience than music. The Martin Logan is a much better choice for music-blends very well w/ most speaker systems.

Both Martin Logan and SVS would be better choices than HSU, although HSU would be a decent choice if price vs. performance is of prime concern. To come down a bit in price, you would probably be more than happy w/ the SVS PB 12 Plus rather than the Ultra, although if you really want the dream, do it right the first time and never look back.

Again, for 4 Ohm speakers, especially for music, no matter what anyone else says about how their HK powers 4 Ohms just fine, there really is no comparison for music w/ a nicer receiver like NAD or B&K. I run side by side demos all day long between Denon 3805's (a very nice receiver for 8 Ohm speakers for sure), Pioneer Elite receivers and B&K, and B&K always impresses people in music demos each time. If you want to maximize those LSi's, drive them well. Good luck. And, as always, have fun.

JcM

WOW! Gregure thanks for the lengthy reply, much appreciated!

Since I live in Canada I will probably need to order from the states if I go with SVS, because I can't find a local dealer. I will keep searching though.

Many people seem to have the cylinder models. What makes them better/worse?

The 25-31PC-Plus looks like good bang for the buck, although I don't think the freq response is low enough. You mentioned the Ultra driver, should I consider the PC-ULTRA?

Any thoughts on M&K?

Thanks

Julian

dorokusai

M&K? Cross them off your list.

McLoki

Originally posted by JcM
Many people seem to have the cylinder models. What makes them better/worse?

The 25-31PC-Plus looks like good bang for the buck, although I don't think the freq response is low enough. You mentioned the Ultra driver, should I consider the PC-ULTRA?

I have the 25-31 CS+ (driven by an external 500 watt amp). If you are mainly getting it for movies, I would at least look at the 20-39+ if not the ultra. For music most information is above the 25hz tuning point so it would be fine.

I do wish I had the ultra, but had to get the smaller 25-31 due to WAF issues and the fact that it is in our living room rather than a dedicated home theater. - I currently have 1 port plugged on mine to "tune" it to 20hz at the expense of 3-4db of total output.

It is hard to say if you would be better off with the PB2-plus (two plus drivers) or a PB-Ultra (single ultra driver) - the cost is similar between the two.

Just send an e-mail with your room sizes, what you use your systeem (and sub) for, and what levels you want to try and get to - to SVS and they will not oversell you on their recommendations.

BTW - Difference between tubes and boxes -
Due to the nature of a tube - they do not have to have internal bracing like a box does.
They are made from heavy cardboard rather than wood. (that with the no bracing makes them much lighter to ship and move around).
They are slightly cheaper to manufacture (hence the cheaper price).
Tubes take up less floor space since they get their volume by going up rather than out.
Tubes have a MUCH harder time passing the WAF. (for some reason many significant others seem to hate the water heater look in their living rooms reguardless of how good they sound).

Good luck with your purchase.

Michael.

One other thing - if your HK reciever has pre-outs for all the channels (rather than just the LFE channel) you might also look at getting a nice 5 channel amp and keeping your H/K to use as a pre-amp instead of purchasing a beefier AVR)

Critter

SVS 18-46 plus sub is awesome, just got it tonight.


This sub gets down low. Watching some scenes from LOTR and can't believe the reach on it.

Critter

SVS 18-46 plus sub is awesome, just got it tonight.



This sub gets down low. Watching some scenes from LOTR and can't believe the reach on it.

Critter

SVS 18-46 plus sub is awesome, just got it tonight.


This sub gets down low. Watching some scenes from LOTR and can't believe the reach on it.

VR3

M&K who? M&K WHAT???

Let me tell you something about M&K ok?

I had a 1,000 dollar subwoofer of theirs, the MX-90, its the equivelant of the MX-125. The differences are 25 watts...

This subwoofer uses CHEAP amps, extremely cheap drivers (83 each) and a good design gone wrong...

Complete garbage, highly over-rated and should be avoided at all costs!!!

I got the BOTL Cylinder SVS sub and completely smashed the M&K in every form possible...

VR3

1,000 M&K dollar sub Vs. 1000 dollar SVS sub

(Drivers)

michael_w

Originally posted by Vr3MxStyler2k3
1,000 M&K dollar sub Vs. 1000 dollar SVS sub

(Drivers)

.... waaaaa .... the size difference is amazing.

OK you could get a good deal on a HSU right out of Ontario.

LINKY

VR3

The weight difference is big too! LOL...

40-50 pounds vs. 7 pounds

gregure

Don't have any knowledge about how to get SVS in Canada for cheap (is it an issue?). However, I do know that considering the Martin Logan Grotto is worthwhile. Try to find a local dealer. Out of HSU, SVS and ML, ML is the only one you can audition first. Good luck.