Best Subwoofer for my setup
magellings
Posts: 49
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
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
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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 -
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.
MichaelMains.............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) -
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 -
go non polk for your sub
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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..." -
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 -
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?
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I find these links handy.
http://www.svsound.com/products-sub.cfm
http://www.hsuresearch.com/subwoofers.html
http://www.edesignaudio.com/edv2/index.php?cPath=2_41
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/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 -
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
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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: -
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. -
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: -
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 -
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: -
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.
ShawnShawn
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 -
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.
shawnShawn
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 -
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.
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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
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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 -
One word "Velodyne"
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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.
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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 -
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.
MichaelMains.............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) -
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