Klipsch Sub-12 compared to $$$

Ethancf

So I have a Klipsch Sub-12 that has performed and integrated into my system very well...had it for a couple of years. It's in that sub-$500 category. When jumping into the $1000+ range, what do you gain? I've seen similarly powered / driver size subs close to 2 grand? Is it just a matter of frequency range? When it comes to subs, I think placement and sound dampening can make all the difference in the world vs. throwing money at a new sub.

Velodyne is tempting me, but I'm just curious what the return would be.

Thanks!

Dawgfish

EthanCF,

I don't own any of the $1000 subs so it's hard for me to comment on their performance compared to the Sub-12. I do own a Sub-12 however, so I can tell you how it compares to some to the other subs I've owned.

To me the Sub-12 is a very good home theater sub. It goes down pretty low and is loud. To me, and with my setup however, I didn't find it to be a good sub for music. It didn't blend with my other speakers very well no matter how much I tinkered with the volume and cross-over settings. I find the bass to be a little muddy with music also. I have replaced it in my main system with a Polk DSW Pro 600 and I like that sub much better ( I am now running two 600s in my main system). The 600 doesn't reach down quite as low as the Sub-12, but it's close. It is a much better sub for music however. It is much smoother and detailed and to me is just a better all around sub. Of course that's just my opion, YMMV.

goingganzo

in the sub 1k range svs is hard to beat over 1k diy is king. rember the bigger the driver the more bass you get.
lets say you order 4 of there at $200 each https://ssl.perfora.net/www.ficaraudio.com/sess/utn;jsessionid=15495fe3b15ab9c/shopdata/0050_Speakers/0050_IB3/product_overview.shopscript
and 1 of these for $700 http://www.guitarcenter.com/Crown-XTi-2000-Power-Amplifier-103635579-i1145685.gc
suply costs 1-2 sheets of mdfbcut to 24 in $50-60 some 2x4 and paint 20 bucks.

for $1600 you can be above 110 db under 15 hz. with olny a few store bought subs can do and you would need to pay more than 10k for them

Retro152

Dawgfish wrote: »

EthanCF,

I don't own any of the $1000 subs so it's hard for me to comment on their performance compared to the Sub-12. I do own a Sub-12 however, so I can tell you how it compares to some to the other subs I've owned.

To me the Sub-12 is a very good home theater sub. It goes down pretty low and is loud. To me, and with my setup however, I didn't find it to be a good sub for music. It didn't blend with my other speakers very well no matter how much I tinkered with the volume and cross-over settings. I find the bass to be a little muddy with music also. I have replaced it in my main system with a Polk DSW Pro 600 and I like that sub much better ( I am now running two 600s in my main system). The 600 doesn't reach down quite as low as the Sub-12, but it's close. It is a much better sub for music however. It is much smoother and detailed and to me is just a better all around sub. Of course that's just my opion, YMMV.

Im also currently running the Sub-12, and Dawgfish is right on the money. The Sub-12 is very good for home theater, but lacking for music. Having the same trouble trying to tweak the sub and speakers. I am thinking of Svs or Velodyne for an upgrade.

Sherardp

I started out with dual subs, one being a Yamaha ****( dont remember model) and a Klipsch KSW 12. When I joined the forum I started out with that, when buying the Polk Setup, SVS was mentioned to me. Having no idea what the heck to expect I bought the PB12/Plus 2. It arrived and it was much improvement over both subs, more articulate, not boomy bass but good bass you can appreciate in quality sound. I sold both the Yammy and Klipsch subs, 3 months later I ordered a 2nd SVS sub of the same model and paired them up with a Velodyne SMS-1 for even better SQ. So you can gain allot, you get what you pay for, as the saying goes.

If SVS makes a dual driver PB13U I'm definitely in.

cnh

Got to go with the majority here.

The SUB-12 is a good sub in that range, especially for movies. On music, not so much.
Among other things I own the Boston Acoustics HPS-12HO whose specs are pretty close to the Klipsch and has similar power ratings but weighs about 5-6 pounds more and has a less resonant though smaller cabinet.

I'd say the two, again IMO, compare favorably on Movies, they retail for about the same. The B.A. seems a bit tighter to me on music than the Klipsch. The Klipsch is less fussy regarding placement.

What you get for over 1000 dollars is 1000 watt plus class D amps--so a bit more volume, lower frequencies--often subsonic (lower than 20hz) that you feel rather than hear. I should add that those frequencies including the ones below 25 hz that the B.A. and Klipsch have trouble with are not as loud as the tones 30hz and above even on the superbad subs...if you look at the test graphs you'll rarely see those subs getting above 95-100db at 20hz or below? 100db is actually a tad optimistic. Because it takes FANTASTIC power to reproduce those frequencies at very LOUD volumes!

But that is made up for by the sound pressure that your body experiences.

I'd say audition a few and see what you think. My opinion the guys that are running four or more 2000+ dollar subs in their 20X20' room are nuts! There's something wrong there!

cnh

curved

They are a lot more musical......not all are 1000watt Class D amps.

nooshinjohn

i like my sub-12 with music but I turn the volume down a bit and and adjust the cross to about 100 or there abouts and it sounds great...