Some Sub thoughts...

MrNightly · January 2006

I found a local store today on lunch break, and stopped by to listen to a couple different subs... My thoughts, and lets just say I wasn't impressed...

I heard the HGS-12X. I wasn't impressed at all. It didn't shake me, or move me or even really do much at all. The sales guy kept talking about the great technology on this piece, but it looked like a small little sad box on the ground. This sub is $1700 he said... I just wasn't feeling it.

I also listened to the DLS-4000R. Again, only about $550 for it, but it just felt muffled and not authoritative in the least. Maybe more MUSIC kinda sub, not HT.

I have never heard an SVS, but I was assuming it would Hit me in the chest, make me feel it kinda power... has anyone heard either of the above mentioned subs or own them? If so, what are your thoughts? Again, i'm no expert in sounds, but just my first impressions of them. I want the LOUD, DEEP, Pounding bass... is there actually a sub that will give me that?

David

ohskigod · January 2006

thats funny, who makes those subs (especially the 1700 dollar one.

could have been a crappy room/crappy set up. I cant see a 1700 dollar sub sounding bad. dollar for dollar less sub than an SVS or HSU? sure, but not bad. but hey, I wasnt there.

I do look at in store subs and think I would never pay retail for them. I really feel for the ost part HSU, SVS or do it yourself is the best bang for buck bar none. Maybe a velodyne or 2, the ones I heard were pretty good.

My DIY sub cost about 350.00 - 400.00 in parts, if I overestimate how much I paid in building materials (I dont remember) but the total was no way over 400.00

I havent heard a sub for under a G I would take over it. maybe the PC+ cylinders from SVS (heard a few) or the Hsu vtf3 if my sub was stolen and I just really really didnt want to build another one (it was a pain in the arse for me, I'm not the best woodwooker on the planet).

but most likly, I would go DIY again.....save money, replace with blood sweat and tears.

Mike Reeter · January 2006

MrNighty,I live about an hour and 45 northeast of you,if you would like to experience an SVS PC-Ultra

I can tell you,it would be worth the trip:D

karpiel666 · January 2006

MrNightly wrote:

I found a local store today on lunch break, and stopped by to listen to a couple different subs... My thoughts, and lets just say I wasn't impressed...

I heard the HGS-12X. I wasn't impressed at all. It didn't shake me, or move me or even really do much at all. The sales guy kept talking about the great technology on this piece, but it looked like a small little sad box on the ground. This sub is $1700 he said... I just wasn't feeling it.

I also listened to the DLS-4000R. Again, only about $550 for it, but it just felt muffled and not authoritative in the least. Maybe more MUSIC kinda sub, not HT.

I have never heard an SVS, but I was assuming it would Hit me in the chest, make me feel it kinda power... has anyone heard either of the above mentioned subs or own them? If so, what are your thoughts? Again, i'm no expert in sounds, but just my first impressions of them. I want the LOUD, DEEP, Pounding bass... is there actually a sub that will give me that?

David

Ive never been terribly impressed with velodyne as far as punchyness, but in a good setup it vanishes instantly.

MrNightly · January 2006

Ya, they were both velodyne subs. Nothing impressive in my mind. The room was about 20x20 with an open corner to the rest of the store. Maybe it was the set up, I dunno. Just didn't, "Feel" any of the bass. I listened to Just the sub, and was sorely disappointed as well. Both were VERY mello. I guess since i love the sound of the RTi8's, I'm looking for a bold, in your face kinda sub as well.

Time will tell... and 1hr45mins would be worth a trip on a saturday eh?

To hear a REAL HT setup. Sounds tempting... better wait until I get more money to actually spend on completing mine before I get tempted with yours.. hehehe..

David

karpiel666 · January 2006

There is one velodyne, I forget the model, but it was at frys in a small room opening to a big room. I think it was 549$ but it did a decent job of pressurizing, it probably helped it was at reference levels with me standing next to it though. I should be getting my svs within a couple days and ill post what i think compared to the velodynes you listened to.

beardog03 · January 2006

I say ...take the road trip and experience the PC-Ultra..

I have one , and it was my first "real" sub..

It will definatly hit you in the chest, and sounds outstanding with HT and Music..

I also just got a SVS PB-10..
You can`t beat this sub at this price point IMO..

Ron Temple · January 2006

In the right environment both of those Velodynes will pressurize and give you the thump. The 4000 won't be as accurate. I wouldn't trade my SVS 20-39+, but Velo makes great subs, the HGS should shine with music.

danger boy · January 2006

take Mike Reeter up on his offer.. you'll enjoy hearing what the SVS can do and how it integrates in a home theater.

I'm quite surprised that those Velo's didn't impress you.. i'm thinking they didn't have the source properely dialed in or something.

StopherJJ1980 · January 2006

Yeah those velos are decent. They also have the DLS-5000R 15" which is nice. Either they werent set up well or... I did notice they are a bit mellower as well but I attribute this to the fact that is really clean bass with little to no distortion. This will sound a little mellower than most other brands because the "boom" or "thump" most people are used to hearing is really distortion, which the velos dont have as much of.

Odd how some people dont like the "good" bass when they hear it, although there should definitely be some authority there. Hard to tell though since we didnt hear them in the store. HAving said all that SVS rocks, cant go wrong with those.

Mike Reeter · January 2006

I'll say one thing for the SVS...it truly disappears...the sound is soo seamless in conjunction with the rest of your speakers...

On good LFE tracks,the SVS can be quite enjoyable:D

BTW,If you did'nt drag your feet,you could be here in about 1 1/2 hours...42 miles straight east of Cameron,Mo.

MrNightly · January 2006

I go to a lake house right past Cameron, MO all the time. It only takes me 50mins to get to Cameron from my house... I might have to take that trip sooner than later

Sounds exciting. Ya, maybe they subs just blended seamlessly with the speakers, I didn't think it stood out. They might also have not had it set up properly... I may be ultra pickey as well

The only sub i'm used to is a crappy duel 8" sub from Altex Lansing for my 5.1 on my computer. But it's "THX" certified.. hehehehe... I have it turned way up, and during games, I FEEL every loud sound... I guess that's kinda what i'm trying to get in the HT.

goingganzo · January 2006

hell if you lived near detroit i would let you hear my monster sub aka the killer avalanch still working on name.

kingsqueak · January 2006

Subs are tough, it gets mentioned from time to time so I figured I'd toss this in.

I used to setup PA systems for clubs and for festival sound applications. If you don't have the right cubic volume in the room or the right dimensions of the walls for the waves to generate, any sub can sound bad. They can be finicky.

Example, in a room I had that could hold only 140 adults packed in shoulder to shoulder, I ran a Crown Macrotech 10000 amp into four 18" sub cabinets. I had that amp running for everything it was worth and there was only marginal low end in that place. However, if you stepped outside the building into the back alleyway with the back door open, the intensity of the bass would nearly disorient you.

Bassically don't assume the sub in the store will have the same 'hit' it will have when you get it into your room at home. Just because the sub doesn't hit you in the chest in a big showroom doesn't mean it won't hook up in your house. Pay more attention to how balanced it sounds up close, listen for odd spikes in its response. If it's designed well and crossed over properly, you should hear smooth round output. Cheap ones will sound all 'thuddy' and lifeless.

Spend the most you can on a sub, solid low end never comes cheap. From my brother-in-law and brother, with their cheapo JBL subs that slap and **** all the time the lesson learned is that you are better off with no sub at all than to run a cheap one.

Mike Reeter · January 2006

MrNightly wrote:

I go to a lake house right past Cameron, MO all the time. It only takes me 50mins to get to Cameron from my house... I might have to take that trip sooner than later Sounds exciting.

That wouldn't be Lake Viking by any chance?

MrNightly · January 2006

Mike Reeter wrote:

That wouldn't be Lake Viking by any chance?

I believe you are the first person to ever know that lake is on the face of the planet!!! Ya, my brother in law's mom owns a nice lake house there, with a couple seadoo's and boat. We are up there quite a bit in the summer... you obviously know it. Do you own a house on the lake too? Or just live in the area? How weird is this? HA.

Mike Reeter · January 2006

I just know the area well,nice spot,fun place for sure...Feel free to come by anytime,send me a PM or an e-mail...It's 40 minutes to my door from Cameron...

keith allen · January 2006

When it comes to music,you cant beat a Rocket UFW10!

MrNightly · January 2006

See that's the thing. I don't really want a Music Sub. I'm looking for a HT shake ya' deep sub. Once I test Mike's sub, I'll be able to see if the PC-Ultra is the one i need

I need i need... ha. Listen to me. My thinking is tho, why buy smaller, when it won't be exactly what i want?

What is a good competitor of the PC-Ultra?

karpiel666 · January 2006

pb ultra/2 all the way

PolkThug · January 2006

I'm in Shawnee if you want to hear the "baby" SVS PB10 paired with Rti8's.

Ron Temple · January 2006

Yeah I pity you guys with the "baby" PB10. IMO all their subs perform so well, that there isn't that much of a gap between product tier performance. In the right size room at reasonable volume, you will only hear subtle differences. In larger rooms with sources pushed to reference level the bigger guys start to stretch their legs.

PolkThug · January 2006

Ron Temple wrote:

Yeah I pity you guys with the "baby" PB10.

I'm guessing that if Mr.Nightly watches the pod race at my house, he will order an SVS that night.

Ron Temple · January 2006

No bet

I'm taking mine over to a guys house this afternoon. He's got a PB10 which sounds ungodly in his sealed room. He want's to hear the difference (so do I). I really doubt if he will be able to tell...

Mike Reeter · January 2006

PolkThug wrote:

I'm guessing that if Mr.Nightly watches the pod race at my house, he will order an SVS that night.

I wouldn't bet against you for sure,through in scene 25 of Finding Nemo,then a little U-571,Master and Comander,and on and on:D

MrNightly · January 2006

You guys need to stop... I'm getting excited thinking about this new sub

Now I just need to know which one to get after listening to them.. Oh boy. this is awesome!

Mike Reeter · January 2006

Whether you audition an SVS or not,give them a call,they will be able to tell you anything you need to know...they just need room size,listening levels,and just how badly you want to "Rock the House"

They WILL NOT try to oversell you...Great customer service and a great product on top of that...

Some Sub thoughts...

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