Which sub should I choose?

dpowell
dpowell Posts: 3,068
edited October 2005 in Subwoofer Hookup & Bass Management
I have the RT5000 system for my home theatre. Prior to obtaining that system, I already had a PSW300 sub that I used for the LFE channel with a pair of RT2000s. I still use the PSW300 for the LFE channel and don't use the LFE inputs on the RT3000s subs. It seems that the PSW300 either isn't a good match for the rest of the system or I just don't have it tuned properly. I'm thinking that maybe a bigger sub is in order.

Does anyone have a suggestion? I'm thinking of waiting for a PSW1200 to show up for sale or purchase the new PSW1000 when it comes out. I'm also open to other options. The reason I'm thinking PSW1200 is that is would match the rest of the speakers however, I have never heard one and don't know how it compares with more current subs that are available.
____________________________________________________________

polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
Post edited by dpowell on
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  • landry_p2000
    landry_p2000 Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2005
    GET AN SVS!!!! :D
    Main Set-up: 55" 120 hz Samsung LN55B650, Onkyo TX-SR806, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva XPA-2, PS3 Slim, Sony BDP-S560, Apple TV (160g), Panamax M5300-PM, Polk Audio CSi5, RTi10's, FXi3's, RTi4's, and SVS PB12 Plus

    Bedroom: Panasonic 50" S2 Plasma and Panasonic BD65 blu-ray player, Onkyo TX-SR707, Emotiva XPA-3, Emotiva UPA-2, KEF IQ7's, IQc, IQ8Ds, and SVS PB10-ISD
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  • Tritonman
    Tritonman Posts: 159
    edited October 2005
    what he said....just not as loud :p
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  • landry_p2000
    landry_p2000 Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2005
    Hey Tritonman, Good job on the the finished cabinet for the center speaker. Did you finish the in wall equipment rack yet? Post pics on the SS when you do. Your Ht seems to be coming together pretty good.
    Main Set-up: 55" 120 hz Samsung LN55B650, Onkyo TX-SR806, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva XPA-2, PS3 Slim, Sony BDP-S560, Apple TV (160g), Panamax M5300-PM, Polk Audio CSi5, RTi10's, FXi3's, RTi4's, and SVS PB12 Plus

    Bedroom: Panasonic 50" S2 Plasma and Panasonic BD65 blu-ray player, Onkyo TX-SR707, Emotiva XPA-3, Emotiva UPA-2, KEF IQ7's, IQc, IQ8Ds, and SVS PB10-ISD
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited October 2005
    I'm new to club polk but one of the first things I notice is that most members use Polk mains but go with a non-Polk sub. Can someone provide reasons for this? I don't mind the recommendation but am interested in details. Thanks.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • landry_p2000
    landry_p2000 Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2005
    dpowell wrote:
    I'm new to club polk but one of the first things I notice is that most members use Polk mains but go with a non-Polk sub. Can someone provide reasons for this? I don't mind the recommendation but am interested in details. Thanks.

    Go to [EMAIL=www.svsubwoofers.com]www.svsubwoofers.com[/EMAIL] and you will see why. The SVS subs hit lower and harder than the current Polk Audio line-up of subs. Don't get me wrong, my PSW505 is great, but if you can get more decibels, why not?
    Main Set-up: 55" 120 hz Samsung LN55B650, Onkyo TX-SR806, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva XPA-2, PS3 Slim, Sony BDP-S560, Apple TV (160g), Panamax M5300-PM, Polk Audio CSi5, RTi10's, FXi3's, RTi4's, and SVS PB12 Plus

    Bedroom: Panasonic 50" S2 Plasma and Panasonic BD65 blu-ray player, Onkyo TX-SR707, Emotiva XPA-3, Emotiva UPA-2, KEF IQ7's, IQc, IQ8Ds, and SVS PB10-ISD
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  • Tritonman
    Tritonman Posts: 159
    edited October 2005
    landry_p2000 wrote:
    Hey Tritonman, Good job on the the finished cabinet for the center speaker. Did you finish the in wall equipment rack yet? Post pics on the SS when you do. Your Ht seems to be coming together pretty good.

    thanks a bunch for the nice comment! :)

    The rack is almost done..still have the molding and cleanup to do. The rack wont be fully done until I finish building the new left and right bookshelves. I intend on building "cabinets", that will sit above the RTi10's, that will merge with the middle shelf to create a flush wrap-around look.

    The middle shelf did come out real nice..i was rather pleased myself :) Still needs stained etc..blah blah..it never ends..blah blah :)
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  • landry_p2000
    landry_p2000 Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2005
    Get to it man! I need pics.
    Main Set-up: 55" 120 hz Samsung LN55B650, Onkyo TX-SR806, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva XPA-2, PS3 Slim, Sony BDP-S560, Apple TV (160g), Panamax M5300-PM, Polk Audio CSi5, RTi10's, FXi3's, RTi4's, and SVS PB12 Plus

    Bedroom: Panasonic 50" S2 Plasma and Panasonic BD65 blu-ray player, Onkyo TX-SR707, Emotiva XPA-3, Emotiva UPA-2, KEF IQ7's, IQc, IQ8Ds, and SVS PB10-ISD
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  • okiepolkie
    okiepolkie Posts: 2,258
    edited October 2005
    As of late, there have been other companies that produce better sounding subwoofers that play a wider range of lower frequencies. For example most SVS subwoofers can reproduce material down to 16Hz at high SPL's, while most current Polk subs only go down to 25-28Hz range. This in and of itself isn't a deal breaker for me, but for many, it makes a big difference.

    Polk is very good at making speakers, but I have not been overly impressed with any of their subwoofers other than the PSW1200 or even PSW650. The PSW1000 is supposed to be a bass giant, but it has yet to be released, at least as far as I know.
    Tschüss
    Zach
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  • Tritonman
    Tritonman Posts: 159
    edited October 2005
    dpowell wrote:
    I'm new to club polk but one of the first things I notice is that most members use Polk mains but go with a non-Polk sub. Can someone provide reasons for this? I don't mind the recommendation but am interested in details. Thanks.

    No offense to Polk subs..but they have a ways to go to compete in the high end subwoofer market. For the average consumer they make great subs..but for people wanting high spl at low db with accuracy..they cant compete..yet at least. Companies like SVS, Velodyne etc are incredible subs with fantastic performance. I have owned many subs in my days and nothing so far has compared to my SVS sub. Plus with a room as big as mine I need something big and powerful.
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  • Tritonman
    Tritonman Posts: 159
    edited October 2005
    landry_p2000 wrote:
    Get to it man! I need pics.

    LOL..i really do need to get my arse in motion..hopefully next weekend i will have some time to get the new bookshelves done and finish the rack..THEN I'll have some pics up. :)
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited October 2005
    Thanks everyone, looking at the SVS website now....
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • landry_p2000
    landry_p2000 Posts: 1,313
    edited October 2005
    Tritonman wrote:
    LOL..i really do need to get my arse in motion..hopefully next weekend i will have some time to get the new bookshelves done and finish the rack..THEN I'll have some pics up. :)

    cool. :cool:
    Main Set-up: 55" 120 hz Samsung LN55B650, Onkyo TX-SR806, Emotiva XPA-5, Emotiva XPA-2, PS3 Slim, Sony BDP-S560, Apple TV (160g), Panamax M5300-PM, Polk Audio CSi5, RTi10's, FXi3's, RTi4's, and SVS PB12 Plus

    Bedroom: Panasonic 50" S2 Plasma and Panasonic BD65 blu-ray player, Onkyo TX-SR707, Emotiva XPA-3, Emotiva UPA-2, KEF IQ7's, IQc, IQ8Ds, and SVS PB10-ISD
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  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited October 2005
    Polk subs are just not up to the quality of their other speakers imo.

    Look at SVS, Outlaw Audio and HSU for some good to great subs at decent prices. I went with an SVS and am very happy with it.

    If you e-mail SVS and let them know what your room size and layout looks like, they will recommend a sub for you that will blow you away. They will not oversell you and it will give you an idea of what sub to look at.

    I.E. - I have a 15 x 24' room with 8' ceilings, I sit about 12' away from the subwoofer. I like to listen at 10db under reference level and all my other speakers will be set to small. I also want it to sound clear for rock and jass music and typically run my sub about 3db hot. What do I need?
    Mains.............Polk LSi15 (Cherry)
    Center............Polk LSiC (Crossover upgraded)
    Surrounds.......Polk LSi7 (Gloss Black - wood sides removed and crossovers upgraded)
    Subwoofers.....SVS 25-31 CS+ and PC+ (both 20hz tune)
    Pre\Pro...........NAD T163 (Modded with LM4562 opamps)
    Amplifier.........Cinepro 3k6 (6-channel, 500wpc@4ohms)
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  • PolknPepsi
    PolknPepsi Posts: 781
    edited October 2005
    dpowell wrote:
    I'm new to club polk but one of the first things I notice is that most members use Polk mains but go with a non-Polk sub. Can someone provide reasons for this?
    My guess is companies like SVS specialize in subwoofers whereas speaker companies specialize in speakers/not subs..Good luck and keep us posted because it's almost just as fun hearing about someone getting new equipment as it is getting it yourself.
    Denon #2900, Denon stereo receiver, Conrad Johnson Sonographe 120 amp, Blue Jeans cables, and Klipsch RF-7's
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  • marcpam
    marcpam Posts: 228
    edited October 2005
    svs, you won't be sorry. Well, maybe your house will hate you for it :)
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  • PolknPepsi
    PolknPepsi Posts: 781
    edited October 2005
    Yup,
    I apologize to my house before every movie...... ;)
    Denon #2900, Denon stereo receiver, Conrad Johnson Sonographe 120 amp, Blue Jeans cables, and Klipsch RF-7's
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  • BIZILL
    BIZILL Posts: 5,432
    edited October 2005
    i apologize to my neighbors' house.............

    POLK SDA-SRS 1.2TL -- ADCOM GFA-5802
    PANASONIC PT-AE4000U -- DIY WILSONART DW 135" 2.35:1 SCREEN
     ONKYO TX-SR805
    CENTER: CSI5
    MAINS: RTI8'S
    SURROUNDS: RTI8'S
    7.1 SURROUNDS: RTI6'S
    SUB: SVS PB12-PLUS/2 (12.3 series)
    XBOX 360    WiiPS3/blu-rayTOSHIBA HD-A35 hd dvd

    http://polkarmy.com/forums/index.php
    bobman1235 wrote:
    I have no facts to back that up, but I never let facts get in the way of my arguments.
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  • PolknPepsi
    PolknPepsi Posts: 781
    edited October 2005
    ^^^............ :eek: lol...lol.
    Denon #2900, Denon stereo receiver, Conrad Johnson Sonographe 120 amp, Blue Jeans cables, and Klipsch RF-7's
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited October 2005
    Still waiting to hear back from SVS sales on which model they think is right for me. I talked with a friend yesterday who does HT installations. He recommended Velodyne subs. Any opinions? Personally, I like the looks of the SVS's better.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • Tritonman
    Tritonman Posts: 159
    edited October 2005
    dpowell wrote:
    Personally, I like the looks of the SVS's better.

    Stick with your "personally" :)
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  • pjwinstalls
    pjwinstalls Posts: 4
    edited October 2005
    I have the rt5000 system. I thought the subs in the rt3000 were very good. why would i want to buy a different sub. if i got another sub, how would i wire the subs in the rt3000s?? Do you use the sub in the cs1000 as well??
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited October 2005
    Anyone using a sub for a 2ch system with sda's, if so can you recommend one for music,NOT H T.,currently have a Velodyne uld -15 :) Thanks in advance
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • dpowell
    dpowell Posts: 3,068
    edited October 2005
    pjwinstalls wrote:
    I have the rt5000 system. I thought the subs in the rt3000 were very good. why would i want to buy a different sub. if i got another sub, how would i wire the subs in the rt3000s?? Do you use the sub in the cs1000 as well??

    I have the RT3000's bi-wired. I use speaker level outs from the amp to the top section and line level outs to the line level input on the RT3000 subs. I don't use the LFE input as it seems to dirty up the bass output which is why a separate sub is needed for the LFE channel. I had hoped that the subs in the RT3000s would sufice but the 8" subs can't keep up with or hit as low as some movies can deliver.

    The problem I have with the PSW300's 125watt amp and 10" driver is that it just can't keep up with the dual 300watt subs in the RT3000's when played at higher volumes. It seems to have to compete rather than blend and turning up the volume to higher levels gets a boomy bass result.

    I'm no expert in tuning subs but I think with the Avia DVD's help I have it pretty close.

    I also run speaker level input for the cs1000 mid/highs and line level out from the amp to the line level input on the center sub. My opinion is that I would rather only amplify the signal once. By using the line level input, it eliminates the amp amplifying and then the center amp re-amplifying the signal. I hear a cleaner bass signal that way.

    The sub in the center channel is amazing. I can't believe the detail I was missing when I was just using it's baby brother, the CS400.

    Hope that helps.
    ____________________________________________________________

    polkaudio Fully Modded SDA SRS 1.2TLs + Dreadnaught, LSiM706c, 4 X Polk Surrounds + 4 X ATMOS, SVS PB13 Ultra X 2, Pass Labs X1, Marantz 7704, Bob Carver Crimson Beauty 350 Tube Mono Blocks, Carver Sunfire Signature Cinema Grande 400x5, ADCOM GFA 7807, Panasonic UB420, Moon 380D DAC, EPSON Pro Cinema 6050
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited October 2005
    Originally Posted by George Daniel:
    Anyone using a sub for a 2ch system with sda's, if so can you recommend one for music,NOT H T.,currently have a Velodyne uld -15 Thanks in advance

    I just purchased a REL subwoofer & should have it in a week or so. My understanding is that REL is very musical and integrates extremely well with the main speakers. The model I purchased is an older model, but the price was right and this is my first sub. Will it make the ground move, rattle the windows or make the neighbors head for the bunkers. HELL NO!. Depends on what you want. Smooth musical integration with an added HT component was my objective. I will wait & see.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • wingnut4772
    wingnut4772 Posts: 7,519
    edited October 2005
    I highly recommend an Outlaw Audo LFM 1 or an SVS. Either way you will be happy.
    Sharp Elite 70
    Anthem D2V 3D
    Parasound 5250
    Parasound HCA 1000 A
    Parasound HCA 1000
    Oppo BDP 95
    Von Schweikert VR4 Jr R/L Fronts
    Von Schweikert LCR 4 Center
    Totem Mask Surrounds X4
    Hsu ULS-15 Quad Drive Subwoofers
    Sony PS3
    Squeezebox Touch

    Polk Atrium 7s on the patio just to keep my foot in the door.
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