Upgrading My Sub: Velodyne, Infinity or Polk?

Ern Dog

Well I've had my Polk PSW10 Sub for about 10 months now and I'm getting ready to upgrade it. It was fine for my first one, but now I need something stronger. I found that this sub was just a teeser for my growing hunger for DEEEEEP BASS. It served the purpose of making me curious about what a Kick **** sub would sound like in my living room. I've read in this forum that Circuit city will upgrade speakers (that were bought there) if they are in good condition and under 1 year old. Is this true for subs as well?

This makes my options for this upgrade limited to what is availiable at Circuit City. Here is what I'm considering and would like to hear some opions about which sub is best (lowest frequency with minimial distortion).

1. Velodyne 12" VRP 1200
2. Velodyne 10" DPS-10
3. Infinity 12" PS-12
4. Polk 12" PSW12

P.S. I only have $350-$400 to spend and use it 65% music, 35% HT. My room size is a little over 2000 square feet.

Thanks for your suggestions,
Ern Dog

PolkThug

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=41193

Ern Dog

Polk Thug-

That SVS sub looks good, but Circuit City doesn't sell them.
Out of the 4 that I listed, which would you buy and why?

danger boy

get the one that digs the lowest.. that's the one i would get. and i have no idea which one of those four that is.. you'll have to look at the specs on those to find out.

Dennis Gardner

There is much audio life beyond Best Buy and Circuit City. Much better actually.

Ron Temple

If it's between those 4 subs, I'd lean toward the Velo DPS10, but listen to the Infinity as well then decide. However, the SVS PB10 on closeout is head and shoulders more sub.

polrbehr

OK, then, I'll finally ask a question that's been bugging me for awhile now.
WHY doesn't Polk make subs similar to / better than SVS?? Everyone (almost)
seems to think that SVS is the way to go, bar none. Seems to me that Polk should seriously consider giving folks around here a reason to stay with the brand. I'm sure if SVS had a forum like this you wouldn't find people there extolling the virtues of Polk Audio. Any answers or opinions are appreciated.

jdhdiggs

They could but it costs money and after you add distributership and sales markups and SVS equivelent sup to say the PB-10+ would run about $1,600 so not many would buy it.

Additionally, most big box store subs are tiny and cute to appease the spouse. SVS and HSU, not so much.

PolkThug

Ern Dog wrote:

Polk Thug-
That SVS sub looks good, but Circuit City doesn't sell them.
Out of the 4 that I listed, which would you buy and why?

Do you work at CC? If you do, you can order the Polk 505 on accomodations.

Demiurge

Go with the SVS if you have the option. You won't regret it. I know I will be buying one at some point to replace the Polk. The Polk subs aren't all that great. They're not terrible, but they're not real good either.

wingnut4772

SVS all the way!

You will find that there is a large world beyond BB and CC..but some BBs have Magnolia now and that is a good step in the right direction.

landry_p2000

In my opinion, getting the SVS is well worth the wait and price. I had a PSW505 Polkaudio sub (which was really nice), and now I have the SVS PB10-ISD sub. There is no comparison in sound between the two. The SVS is cheaper and out performs the Polk sub hands down. I guess the reason SVS is a better at subs is because that is what they specialize in, and Polk focuses mainly on speakers. Don't get me wrong, I love my polk speakers, but the speakers and sub compliment each other well. I hate to wait for mail order items, and the store was always my first choice, but in this case I would get the SVS.
Just my 2 cents. Hope this helps you out.

EricBurg

The SVS pd10-isd is probably the best sub that you are going to get for the price you are looking at, especially now that it is selling at $379. I have this sub and love it. I am going to order a 2nd one now that they are closing them out. The only other subs I would even consider anymore are Hsu and Outlaw. These internet companies are able to give you the best performance for very reasonable prices. I know how difficult it is to buy something without ever auditioning it, but just look at the loyal following SVS has on any audio website. I took the plunge and am very happy I did.

Eric

Ron Temple

As jdhdiggs said, retail space is limited and WAF is poor for large ported performance subs. It's not that Polk, Klipsch or Velodyne couldn't compete, it's their business model and sales channels dictate different product specs. The ID model has it's challenges...marketing is one of them. SVS has done an outstanding job of creating word of mouth growth within this nitch, but it's still small change compared to retail and the installer channels. I was told, by someone who knows, that Klipsch sells more subs (by far) than any other OEM.

Ern Dog

I'm going to take the plunge and get the SVS PB-10 sub on sale. Unfortunately since it is through the internet, I can't audition it, but I also trust that I won't be disappointed with this sub. Anybody know how long this close out sale will last? I still need some time to come up with the dough and may need time to sell my current sub.

Thanks for steering me in the right direction!

Ron Temple

You may have through July, but you never know when they will go out of stock. Once the ISDs are gone, that will it and the NSD will be on back order.

landry_p2000

Ern Dog wrote:

I'm going to take the plunge and get the SVS PB-10 sub on sale. Unfortunately since it is through the internet, I can't audition it, but I also trust that I won't be disappointed with this sub.

Way to go. Trust me, you don't need an audition for this one. I promise you will NOT be disappointed at all. Let us know what you think when you get it home.

trees

+1 re the PB-10. Let us know if you come up with any good tricks on handling the continuous phase adjustment.

Trees

faster100

all out of stock except the white now

Ern Dog

What a pisser!

I was a day tooooo late

I checked the white out and it wouldn't work for me.

AzN_plyR

from my audition,

From the best performing to worst.....

velo dps10
infinity ps12
velo vrp1200
polk psw12

All at circuit city... Although the gap between the dps10 and ps12 was not huge. The other two had much worse performance IMO. on Impact and extension.

trees

I still need some time to come up with the dough and may need time to sell my current sub.

Sounds like you have some time; this is good. SVS occasionally has B-stock and will for sure on the next version of the 10. Keep checking back and jump on it when you see what you want; the 10 B-stock will likely be gone in less than a day. I remember them putting out 10-12 at a time.

I've purchased SVS B-stock and it was perfect, not even a speck of dust. And I've heard similar stories from others.

I had to keep checking back for a week or so. I remember the 10 going for $379

Good luck,

Trees

EricBurg

Even if you have to wait a little while longer till the new NSD drivers start shipping, at $429 it will still be the best sub for the money.

Eric

Ern Dog

My impatience and need for Instant gratification got the best of me late last night when I was weak. I charged a Mirage S12 from Vann's, Sale price of $399 (free shipping)- The ususual price is $800+.

From what I've read, this sub will be 100 times better than my entry level Polk sub. I'm hoping that it will be the last sub that I will ever need to buy. We will see. I'll let you people know how it is when I get it hooked up.

Now the excruciating 7-10 day wait for it to arrive!

EricBurg

I've heard some good things about the S12, can't wait to hear your impressions.

Eric

frdranger

Heh, I'm about in the same boat as you Ern Dog. I'm heading to Tweeter tomorrow - been looking at the Velodyne and I really, really like it.

landry_p2000

Ern Dog wrote:

What a pisser!

I was a day tooooo late

I checked the white out and it wouldn't work for me.

Aww man! That blows chunks. I wanted a second one for my HT. I may just end up getting the newer version, unless one of these guys gets greedy and wants to upgrade to a 12" SVS. (hint, hint)
I hope the new sub works for you, I am with you on that waiting time. I like to get it when I pay for it.

Ron Temple

Ern Dog wrote:

My impatience and need for Instant gratification got the best of me late last night when I was weak. I charged a Mirage S12 from Vann's, Sale price of $399 (free shipping)- The ususual price is $800+.

From what I've read, this sub will be 100 times better than my entry level Polk sub. I'm hoping that it will be the last sub that I will ever need to buy. We will see. I'll let you people know how it is when I get it hooked up.

Now the excruciating 7-10 day wait for it to arrive!

Those are gone now too...dq'd except for returns.

Ern Dog

I got my order in just in the neck of time. It arrived couple days ago.... a full review soon to come.

Ron Temple

I've read great things about that sub and that deal. Congrats, I'm sure you're going to be happy.

Ern Dog

Thanks Ron. You know I was raised in Hollister, Ca which is 45min away from San Jose. My sister and her family live in Gilroy. Small world.