Best Subwoofer for my setup

magellings
magellings Posts: 49
edited December 2007 in Speakers
Hello,

Was wondering if I could have opinions in CP of which subwoofer to purchase for my current setup:

fronts - rti10s
center - csi5
sides - fxi5s
rears - rti6s

I know the DSW pros are replacing the PSW. PSWs are timbre matched for my current speakers. Was thinking a sub from one of these two families, preferablly PSW as look and feel the same as my setup, timbre matched, and discounted currently.

Please let me know your opinion and thanks
Post edited by magellings on

Comments

  • MADGSF
    MADGSF Posts: 603
    edited November 2007
    First when it comes to subs there is no timbre matching to worry about. Next it would help to know how big your room is, your HT/Music listening habits and budget. My personal listening is more HT so I have a sub that rocks my room but is ported and is not great for music. A sealed sub is better for music.

    If you have ~600.00 to spend check out HSU and SVS and get the biggest you can buy. My experience with Polk subs is there are better for the same money at HSU and SVS.
    AVR: Elite VSX-21TXH
    Amplifier: B&K 7250 Series ii
    Misc: Velodyne SMS-1
    Mains: RTi-10
    Center: CSi-5
    Rear: Boston DSi460
    Sub: SVS PC-Ultra
    TV: Panasonic TC-P58V10
    DVD: Panasonic DMP-BD60K
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited November 2007
    As already mentioned, subs don't match speakers. Purchase subs based on how low they will play, how loud they will play at a given frequency and their ability to pressurize a room.

    Basically - sounds like a great system - tell us what size room it will be going in (as well as any other rooms that cannot be closed off from this one (aka - open floorplan)), what your budget is, and what size sub you are comfortable putting in your room. From that, we should be able to give you an idea of what you should be looking at.


    Michael
    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)
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited November 2007
    SVS and the new big boys on the block from Epik and Elemental Designs should do the trick. Pick one or two that will fit the budget.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
  • bruss
    bruss Posts: 1,039
    edited November 2007
    go non polk for your sub
  • hoosier21
    hoosier21 Posts: 4,413
    edited November 2007
    bruss wrote: »
    go non polk for your sub

    the new models of subs that Polk that are coming out are VERY nice subs.
    Dodd - Battery Preamp
    Monarchy Audio SE100 Delux - mono power amps
    Sony DVP-NS999ES - SACD player
    ADS 1230 - Polk SDA 2B
    DIY Stereo Subwoofer towers w/(4) 12 drivers each
    Crown K1 - Subwoofer amp
    Outlaw ICBM - crossover
    Beringher BFD - sub eq

    Where is the remote? Where is the $%#$% remote!

    "I've always been mad, I know I've been mad, like the most of us have...very hard to explain why you're mad, even if you're not mad..."
  • magellings
    magellings Posts: 49
    edited November 2007
    Additional info:

    Current room size: 16x16 open to a 18 x 9 dinette which is open to an 11x8 kitchen. Also a stairway down to the lower level of the home exists in the current room as it is a bi-level single family.
    Future room size: 21x12 in the lower part of the home

    Will be both Home Theater and music w/ majority HT.

    Would also like option to adjust boominess down as I have a three year old that goes to bed at 8ish every night. Albeit I believe they all can be adjusted.

    Forgive me on the timbre matching...I thought that included the matching look of the older rti series that I have and the PSW subs...

    Let me know what you guys think based on this info and let me know if you have anymore quesitons. Thanks guys
  • magellings
    magellings Posts: 49
    edited November 2007
    Also quick question regarding MADGSF's comment. If a port is not good on a sub for music listening, then how come the rti floorstanding models have the powerport plus? Wouldn't that mean my rtis are not quality?
  • 66chevyIISS
    66chevyIISS Posts: 857
    edited November 2007
    My Home Theater (WIP):
    Panasonic AE900 Projector - 126" screen, XBOX 360, Pioneer BDP-320 Bluray
    Receiver: Denon AVR-1905
    Fronts: RTi6's, Center: CSi5, Surrounds: RTi4, Rears: Denon
    Dual Subs: PSW202, and behind the couch Denon 8"

    My showcase link:
    Media Room pics
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2007
    As big as you can afford.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited November 2007
    magellings wrote: »
    Also quick question regarding MADGSF's comment. If a port is not good on a sub for music listening, then how come the rti floorstanding models have the powerport plus? Wouldn't that mean my rtis are not quality?

    No No No.

    Port , sealed , it doesnt mater. If the sub is tuned properly, wether with a port, Pr or sealed, then it is tuned properly. The Powerport Plus, is tuned to the speaker, and allow the speaker to do what Polk specifies it to do. A port will never justify cheap or HiFi. Frequency range of a speaker, wether bookshelf, floorstanding or sub, is very important. Port issue is not!!

    If a speaker is 30hz-24kz (+/-3ds) with or without a port, it doesnt matter, thats what the speaker can do.

    A ported sub can be just as "tight" and responsive as a sealed or Pr'ed sub. Some ported subs are even better at doing both music and HT.

    The new Polk subs are nothing to be ashamed of either. All are ported and all will do well for music and movies. It all depends on WHAT YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH AND HOW MUCH MONEY YOU WANT TO SPEND...
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
  • magellings
    magellings Posts: 49
    edited November 2007
    One member noted the new dsw pros are good subs. Ideally, I want a nice looking sub that will look nice with my rti series. I'm not looking to get a sub to play really boomy sound with my music as I don't like that. I just want a sub that covers the lower end yet isn't boomy, but adds quality overall to my system. For HT, I'd like the ability to get that "feel it in your chest" vibration, yet be able to also adjust the sub so I can make that go away. I'm not looking to vibrate my house, but do want to be able to achieve all of this based on my room sizes I gave above.

    If I go bigger, can it do everything the smaller can or is there something I'd miss?

    I really like the idea of staying w/ polk and focusing on either the dsw pros or older rti psws. What would be the pros/cons of each and which one do you recommend? Does it make sense to listen to the subs before purchasing? Some pretty good deals are out there w/ the older rti psws as they are closing out which is also appealing.
  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited November 2007
    magellings wrote: »
    Ideally, I want a nice looking sub that will look nice with my rti series. I'm not looking to get a sub to play really boomy sound with my music as I don't like that. I just want a sub that covers the lower end yet isn't boomy, but adds quality overall to my system. For HT, I'd like the ability to get that "feel it in your chest" vibration, yet be able to also adjust the sub so I can make that go away. I'm not looking to vibrate my house, but do want to be able to achieve all of this based on my room sizes I gave above.

    The DSW will do this...
    If I go bigger, can it do everything the smaller can or is there something I'd miss?

    Yes a good bigger sub can do everything a smaller sub can and more.
    I really like the idea of staying w/ polk and focusing on either the dsw pros or older rti psws.

    Try the DSW, return it if it doesnt work out.
    What would be the pros/cons of each and which one do you recommend?

    The DWS 600. Dont short change yourself.
    Does it make sense to listen to the subs before purchasing?

    IMO, no it doesnt, because room enviroment makes all the difference in the world. What might sound good in a showroom, might sound terrible in your room. Trial and error is almost unavoidable when it comes to subs.
    Some pretty good deals are out there w/ the older rti psws as they are closing out which is also appealing.


    The older PSWS subs , I found were not too impressive. I would stick with the newer DSW subs. The 600 12".
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
  • Ron Temple
    Ron Temple Posts: 3,212
    edited November 2007
    Most of us haven't heard the DSW subs and for us the jury is still out, though I'm hopeful. ID brands and DIY have taken over a large percentage of forum hobbyists based on the price/performance ratio. Most are bigger, play louder while remaining very musical and some are extremely good looking (though big), while others are just big and black. The only drawback I see with the DSW series, is the largest sub, the 600, starts to rolloff at 25hz. That's plenty for music and decent for HT, but if you're used to being flat from the mid teens, you'll never want to give that up again for those HT applications.

    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
  • jakelm
    jakelm Posts: 4,081
    edited November 2007
    Ron Temple wrote: »
    Most of us haven't heard the DSW subs and for us the jury is still out, though I'm hopeful. ID brands and DIY have taken over a large percentage of forum hobbyists based on the price/performance ratio. Most are bigger, play louder while remaining very musical and some are extremely good looking (though big), while others are just big and black. The only drawback I see with the DSW series, is the largest sub, the 600, starts to rolloff at 25hz. That's plenty for music and decent for HT, but if you're used to being flat from the mid teens, you'll never want to give that up again for those HT applications.

    I agree 110%. But if someone wants to stick with Polk, the DSW600 (on paper) is the best one so far
    (for the money).

    I personally, am a DIY guy, I built both of my subs and they can outperform a bunch. I am being very hopefull in what I read and see as build wuality, that the new DSW subs will be great.
    Monitor 7b's front
    Monitor 4's surround
    Frankinpolk Center (2 mw6503's with peerless tweeter)
    M10's back surround
    Hafler-200 driving patio Daytons
    Tempest-X 15" DIY sub w/ Rythmik 350A plate amp
    Dayton 12" DVC w/ Rythmik 350a plate amp
    Harman/Kardon AVR-635
    Oppo 981hd
    Denon upconvert DVD player
    Jennings Research (vintage and rare)
    Mit RPTV WS-55513
    Tosh HD-XA1
    B&K AV5000


    Dont BAN me Bro!!!!:eek:
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited November 2007
    For what it's worth, I know everyone here is high on SVS and Hsu (which are great subs). I just purchased a PSB sub from Doro and it is a lot of bang for your buck. Musically and movie-wise it exceeds expectations and it rated very highly in the audio community. You might be able to get one (new or used) for less than it would cost you to get an SVS. There was a shoot-out between the SVS and PSB (not sure what models) where the PSB was as good or better in the majority of testing sequences. I'll try to find the article and link it for you if interested. Not trying to cause a debate, but it serves me well and will probably be the one thing I will not get the upgrade bug for anytime soon.

    Shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
  • shawn474
    shawn474 Posts: 3,052
    edited November 2007
    http://avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12246123

    Scroll down and you will see the cahrt that compares alll of the subwoofers that were tested by tom nousaine - don't know at all if these results are biased in any way, but worth a look.


    shawn
    Shawn
    AVR: Marantz SR-5011
    Center Channel: Polk LsiM706c
    Front: Polk LsiM703
    Rear: LSI fx
    Subwoofer: SVS 20-39pci
    Television: Samsung UN58NU7100FXZA
    DVD Player: Sony PS4
  • magellings
    magellings Posts: 49
    edited November 2007
    I'd like to hear some more opinions on a ported vs. non-ported sub. I've heard non-ported will have tighter, quicker bass/beats. I think that is what my preference would be. I don't like those cars that zoom by vibrating your car...that's too boomy for me.
  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2007
    As long as it's a quality sub it shouldn't sound boomy, ported or not.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
  • magellings
    magellings Posts: 49
    edited November 2007
    I can get the older rti subs for the following prices:

    $250 for PSW-404, $300 for PSW-505

    because they are discounted. Is it worth it to purchase these on discount vs. waiting and purchasing a new DSW for more expensive? Thanks
  • TalkenRain
    TalkenRain Posts: 13
    edited November 2007
    One word "Velodyne"
  • ruf993turbo
    ruf993turbo Posts: 39
    edited December 2007
    Looking into Velodynes....they really have gone down in their prices in the past years and they are still great quality sub as they were before.
  • Sherardp
    Sherardp Posts: 8,038
    edited December 2007
    TalkenRain wrote: »
    One word "Velodyne"

    SVS, Ed, Epik run circles around Velodyne easily.
    Shoot the jumper.....................BALLIN.............!!!!!

    Home Theater Pics in the Showcase :cool:

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showcase/view.php?userid=73580
  • McLoki
    McLoki Posts: 5,231
    edited December 2007
    Sherardp wrote: »
    SVS, Ed, Epik run circles around Velodyne easily.

    +1

    Also consider HSU and Outlaw (Hsu designed) for subs.....

    FYI - I own SVS and love them, but if I were to purchase now - Epik would be getting my money. Just to put out an opinion.

    Michael
    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)
  • Pepi28
    Pepi28 Posts: 248
    edited December 2007
    Sherardp wrote: »
    SVS, Ed, Epik run circles around Velodyne easily.

    +1 to sherardp. Velodyne has had nothing to cheer about for a long while now.
    58" Samsung Plasma (on wall)(calibrated)
    LSi15's front (modded xo's)
    LSic center
    LSiFX's sides
    LSi7's rears
    Sunfire Sig. 600 amp for 15's
    Sunfire Sig. Cinema for C,S&R
    Sony ES 3000 pre/pro
    SVS 2039 PC Plus sub 12.3 (16hz tune)
    PS3
    Wii
    Signal and Audioquest ic's
    12 awg monster speaker-cable (bi-wired)
    Belkin PF60 power conditioner
    Monster power conditioner for sub