15" Dayton Titanic MKIII --> Polk PSW10?

Serendipity

This might sound crazy, but I was listening to a DVD today and was wondering what benefit I'd get from downgrading to a SMALLER sub.

Now I know, my DIY sub is great on movies (I don't use a sub for music), but I want to try a smaller sub in my room to see what it sounds like. On most concert DVD's, the bass is extremely tight and accurate, but not as musical as some smaller subs I've heard.

As far as power goes, the Dayton is powered by a 1024W plate amp vs. 50W for the Polk PSW10. The thing is, I doubt I'm using even a fraction of the Dayton's power as I have the sub turned down very low and you can't even hear it unless you have your ear right up to the sub. So...

Will the PSW10 give me what I am looking for?

Early B.

appadv wrote: »

Will the PSW10 give me what I am looking for?

Hell, no.

Your Dayton sub should be sufficient in providing musical bass, but here's the problem -- the setup (placement, settings, crossover, etc.) and function of a sub is different for HT than for music. With HT, you want your sub to thump hard -- very hard, whereas with music, you simply want it to blend and add a bit more bottom to your music. These are two totally different (and often diametrically opposing) functions. You probably have your sub set up more for HT than for music.

Here's what you can do. Spend some time with your sub to optimize its musicality. That way, you'll at least be assured that your sub is up to the task. The plate amp you're using is among the best on the market and the Dayton subs have long been touted as exceptional performers, so you shouldn't have any problems.

Serendipity

Early B. wrote: »

Here's what you can do. Spend some time with your sub to optimize its musicality. That way, you'll at least be assured that your sub is up to the task. The plate amp you're using is among the best on the market and the Dayton subs have long been touted as exceptional performers, so you shouldn't have any problems.

I don't use a sub for music listening though. My issue is with music on concert DVD's - in which I have the sub powered on but turned down VERY low. It's just too sterile (extremely accurate) but not musical.

Serendipity

I don't think it's an issue with the sub level, BTW.

If I wanted to turn it down I'd be turning the sub off - the volume dial on the plate amp doesn't go any lower than 8 o'clock!!

VR3

that Polk sub is CURAP (fast **** voice) - no offense, but it will be boomy, distorted, bleh

Face

If you want musical, you want either Polk DSW or Velodyne SPL.

Serendipity

How about a DefTech sub then?

VR3

Thats even worse

ohskigod

for music, small sealed sub is the way to go.. I had a hsu stf2 I loved for music (not sealed, but still damn good. I believe Carlos (Criverajr) had a HSU vtf2, which is the same thing with a variable port and some such. either way, might be worth a try to experiment

Early B.

appadv wrote: »

I don't use a sub for music listening though. My issue is with music on concert DVD's - in which I have the sub powered on but turned down VERY low. It's just too sterile (extremely accurate) but not musical.

Nevertheless, you should begin by determining the root of the problem. Play your sub with a few CDs and see if your music still sounds sterile. If not, the problem is not your sub.

Serendipity

Early B. wrote: »

Nevertheless, you should begin by determining the root of the problem. Play your sub with a few CDs and see if your music still sounds sterile. If not, the problem is not your sub.

No, no problems with 2 channel music listening (CD's) with the sub on.

Serendipity

What could the problem be then? It's only when I listen to music/concert DVD's through the HD-XA1 or HP z560 Media Center.

Early B.

appadv wrote: »

What could the problem be then? It's only when I listen to music/concert DVD's through the HD-XA1 or HP z560 Media Center.

It could be that your concert DVDs don't produce accurate bass. They aren't always mixed very well.

It could be the quality of your sources, as well. Very digital, huh?

Do you use the HD-XA1 as your CDP?

McLoki

Face wrote: »

If you want musical, you want either Polk DSW or Velodyne SPL.

The Polk MicroPro line is very nice as well.

Serendipity

Early B. wrote: »

It could be that your concert DVDs don't produce accurate bass. They aren't always mixed very well.

It could be the quality of your sources, as well. Very digital, huh?

Do you use the HD-XA1 as your CDP?

1. My sources consist of the HD-XA1 for DVD playback (concert DVD's, for example) and the HP z560 Media Center PC for movie playback.

2. No, I don't use the HD-XA1 as my CDP as I have a dedicated Onkyo CDP for that. Face heard it before and said it sounded very good.

I'd like to get a turntable too...

ben62670

Build, or get a sealed 3cf box for the Titanic. You will not be displeased.
Ben

Serendipity

ben62670 wrote: »

Build, or get a sealed 3cf box for the Titanic. You will not be displeased.
Ben

Didn't you build a DIY sub with the Titanic too? What box dimensions did you use?

P.S. My box is exactly what you recommended, a sealed 3cf box with 2lb. of damping material inside.

ben62670

I used one in a sono sub, but the volume of the enclosure was about 9' tuned to about 15hz. It worked awesome, but do to the volume of the tube it decreased the power handling to around 400wrms. This is no big deal seeing that the gain from the size offset the power handling. It was pretty musical when crossed 60 or below. For HT it was insane. IIRC it maxed out around 123db. During bass like War of the Worlds it would leave lines of ceiling tile particles on the floor. In a sealed box it would handle more power, but not dig quit as deep.
Ben

Serendipity

123db? That's insane! :eek:

The highest I've ever had this sub was around 90db, and that was REALLY loud already!

ben62670

Go sealed my friend. You would love it;)

Serendipity

ben62670 wrote: »

Go sealed my friend. You would love it;)

Yes, my box is sealed. Did you see my pics from the other thread?

I still want to try the Polk PSW10 though - it can't hurt to swap subs for a day and do an A/B comparison, right?

Serendipity

I was reading this review and it said the Polk is very musical:

http://reviews.cnet.com/subwoofers/polk-audio-psw10-black/4505-11312_7-31127154.html

Face

appadv wrote: »

I was reading this review and it said the Polk is very musical:

http://reviews.cnet.com/subwoofers/polk-audio-psw10-black/4505-11312_7-31127154.html

For a $100 sub, it is.

Serendipity

If push comes to shove and I don't like it, I'll use it in a dorm room setup with Monitor 40's then.

ben62670

appadv wrote: »

Yes, my box is sealed. Did you see my pics from the other thread?

I still want to try the Polk PSW10 though - it can't hurt to swap subs for a day and do an A/B comparison, right?

Did you blow a driver?

Serendipity

ben62670 wrote: »

Did you blow a driver?

What do you mean? The Dayton sub works fine.