Choosing A Subwoofer - Music

vonnie123
vonnie123 Posts: 326
edited April 2007 in Speakers
I recently puchased four Polk RM8000T floorstanding speakers to replace some old Bose 501s and 601s. I also have adequate surround speakers, but am still working to figure which sub would best fit my needs. I listen mostly to music from 70-80s easy listening to rock. I watch a few movies, but that is not the primary issue for the subwoofer choice. Any suggestions in the Polk line in the $300 - $600 range. I am open to other brands in the same price range as well. I prefer to buy from an authorized seller to ensure a proper warranty.
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited April 2007
    I would email Ed at SVS audio. They make terrific subwoofers, and he is a Polk loyalist. He will shoot you straight and can probably guide you into the best choice.

    svsaudio.com
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
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  • janmike
    janmike Posts: 6,146
    edited April 2007
    For music only, REL, but not in your price range unless you find a used sweet deal like I did.
    Michael ;)
    In the beginning, all knowledge was new!
    NORTH of 60°
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  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited April 2007
    www.svsound.com

    Combo rig:

    Onkyo NR1007 pre-pro, Carver TFM 45(fronts), Carver TFM 35 (surrounds)
    SDA 1C, CS400i, SDA 2B
    PB13Ultra RO
    BW Silvers
    Oppo BDP-83SE
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  • gvg45
    gvg45 Posts: 53
    edited April 2007
    vonnie123 wrote: »
    I recently puchased four Polk RM8000T floorstanding speakers to replace some old Bose 501s and 601s. I also have adequate surround speakers, but am still working to figure which sub would best fit my needs. I listen mostly to music from 70-80s easy listening to rock. I watch a few movies, but that is not the primary issue for the subwoofer choice. Any suggestions in the Polk line in the $300 - $600 range. I am open to other brands in the same price range as well. I prefer to buy from an authorized seller to ensure a proper warranty.

    http://hsuresearch.com/index.html

    https://svsound.com/index.cfm

    http://www.av123.com/products_product.php?section=subwoofers&product=12.1

    I have personally heard most subs HSU has to offer. All are solid performers that perform well for both music and movies. Though I have not heard, personally, most of the SVS subs, I can recommend them by the HIGH PRAISES the owners of these subs have to say. The X-Sub is said to be a great performer for the price.
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  • hockeyboy
    hockeyboy Posts: 1,428
    edited April 2007
    hockeyboy wrote: »
    I would email Ed at SVS audio. They make terrific subwoofers, and he is a Polk loyalist. He will shoot you straight and can probably guide you into the best choice.

    svsaudio.com


    My bad on the link. Ron has it right. You can get a 20-39 CS Plus at SVS for $575. Keep in mind that it is not a powered sub so you will need to use an amp channel with at least 300 watts into 4. Click on contact us and email Ed.:D
    My Main Gear
    Mitsu HC5000 (Proj.)
    Marantz SR8001 (AVR)
    Sunfire TGA7200 (AMP)
    Marantz DV7001 (SACD)
    Samsung BD-P1500 Blu-Ray
    LSi 15's (Front)
    LSiC (Center)
    LSiFx (Surrounds)
    DUAL SVS 20-39 CS Plus     (Passive Subs)
    Marantz IS201 I-Pod Dock[/SIZE]
    Panamax M5300EX
    Carada Criterion 106" Brightwhite Screen
    Sunfire TGA 5200 & (4) B&W 605's in the party room
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  • vonnie123
    vonnie123 Posts: 326
    edited April 2007
    Thanks for the info everyone. I auditioned a few subs and choose the Martin Logan Dynamo 10". I really liked the controls, and both the quality and look of the sub (it is very compact). It fit well into my system, and I really like the option of setting it up as either downward or forward firing.
    [
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  • Early B.
    Early B. Posts: 7,900
    edited April 2007
    For your budget I'd definitely go with a Hsu STF-2, especially for music.
    HT/2-channel Rig: Sony 50” LCD TV; Toshiba HD-A2 DVD player; Emotiva LMC-1 pre/pro; Rogue Audio M-120 monoblocks (modded); Placette RVC; Emotiva LPA-1 amp; Bada HD-22 tube CDP (modded); VMPS Tower II SE (fronts); DIY Clearwave Dynamic 4CC (center); Wharfedale Opus Tri-Surrounds (rear); and VMPS 215 sub

    "God grooves with tubes."
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  • no-cure
    no-cure Posts: 48
    edited April 2007
    Put me down for SVS as well: I'd definitely recommend them. Although I have not gotten mine yet (just purchased it today) I have sent numerous emails to Ed Mullen from their Sales/Tech support, trying to decide which model and how much I should pay. Everytime I got a straight honest and fast reply and I never got the impression that they tried to oversold me! I can testify first hand for their customer support, awesome, one of the best I've experienced, almost as good as Polk, wink wink ;-)

    HSU Research is also a great sub company, awesome reviews as well...
    Analog:
    Polk Audio LSI 15s (cherry) - Fronts :D
    Polk Audio LSI C - center
    SVS PB12 Plus Piano Black!! (on its way) - sub
    BoseFX - surrounds

    Digital:
    Panasonic 61" Rear Projection LCD
    Parasound Halo A52 :D:D
    Yamaha RX-V1600
    Denon DVD3910
    Monster Power 1600 Line Conditioner
    APC 1500 Smart UPS

    Blue Jeans and AudioQuest Interconnects
    Logitech Harmony 880 Remote
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  • phipiper10
    phipiper10 Posts: 955
    edited April 2007
    I'll second the stf-2 on the music. It's perfect for me. I play it straight with the sub on music. I believe it blends in extremely well considering limitations of my room. You'd generally never know it was there for music except the bottom is never lacking. Half the time I can only tell it's on if I can see that the green light is on on the back!

    HT, I boost it up a little for kicks! Good stuff reasonably priced! My buddy has the stf-1 in a smaller room and loves it! It's his favorite part of his little 5.1 system.
    Analog Source: Rega P3-24 Exact 2 w/GT delrin platter & Neo TT-PSU Digital Source: Lumin T2 w/Roon (NUC) DAC: Denafrips Pontus II Phono Preamp: Rega Aria MK3 Preamp: Rogue RP-7 Amp: Pass X150.8 Speakers: Joseph Audio Perspective 2, Audio Physic Tempo Plus Cables: Morrow M4 ICs & Audio Art SC-5 ePlus, Shunyata PCs Misc: Shunyata Hydra Delta D6, VTI rack, GIK acoustic panels
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  • 98thumpin
    98thumpin Posts: 649
    edited April 2007
    doesnt anyone like velodyne any more i love my dps-12
    John Tyler Birch

    home audio system:

    Denon avr-1907
    Sony dvd/cd changer 5 disc
    nakamichi BX-100 tape deck
    2 Polk Audio monitor 70's
    Velodyne DPS-12 subwoofer
    RCA TV
    NAK 600 tape deck
    Monster power line conditioning power center
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  • cstpeter
    cstpeter Posts: 387
    edited April 2007
    vonnie123 wrote: »
    Thanks for the info everyone. I auditioned a few subs and choose the Martin Logan Dynamo 10". I really liked the controls, and both the quality and look of the sub (it is very compact). It fit well into my system, and I really like the option of setting it up as either downward or forward firing.

    Great choice. I used to have the Dynamo and was very impressed, especially for music. You won't be disappointed.
    Von Schweikert VR4-jr
    Valve Audio Predator
    Denon DVD-2900
    PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Level IV Mods
    Pro-Ject Xpression w/Blue Point No. 2
    Graham Slee Special Edition 2
    PS Audio UPC-200
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  • haimoc
    haimoc Posts: 1,031
    edited April 2007
    Rel, Svs, or Hsu are probably good choices, and they are affordable, too.
    -?¿-
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