Subwoofer suggestions?

Neschore

Hi all--I'm new to this forum. I posted this on the speaker site before noticing there was one especially for subs. I'm setting up a new system which will be based on an Onkyo TX-SR507 for 5.1 sound in a modest sized room (16x20). I'll start by using my trusty old Dynaco A25s (anybody remember them?!) for the main front speakers and go with Polk for everything else. For rear/surround I've already ordered two in-ceiling RC60i. A Polk center mainly for voice clarity in video use, so maybe something small like one of the RM series? But what for a subwoofer? If you don't know, the Dynaco is a unique 1.5"/10" system with transient clarity and smoothness as its main features; it makes no attempt to go low, no gimmicks, just rolls off smoothly below about 50 with no internal resonances to make itself sound like more than it is (google if you want more info--you'll see why I still use them). Budget-wise, I could go with any of the three Polk PSWs, but the main use will be for music (classical mostly), and movies, etc, are secondary. So no boom, no muddiness please! So, between the 12" 125, the 10" 110, and the 8" 111, what are your thoughts? It'll be near a corner on a wood floor, if that matters. PS--why in the world is the 8" 111 list-priced higher than the 10" 110? (See--I really am a newbie! )
Neil

KASR

What size room are we dealing with? I'm a big believer in Velodyne or Chrysalis (made by Velodyne)

kawizx9r

KASR wrote: »

What size room are we dealing with? I'm a big believer in Velodyne or Chrysalis (made by Velodyne)

Velodyne makes some good subwoofers, and what's best is they have music and HT specific models. My last Velo was a CHT-12, and it hit nice and deep but I sold it off.

Building one yourself is definitely a cheaper way to go, and can bring you alot of performance if done right that'll outdo subs costing way more. Take for example my DIY-HSU subwoofer, damn thing reaches 18hz and is loud as hell! I don't even use it anymore because it's overpowering lol

KASR

kawizx9r wrote: »

Building one yourself is definitely a cheaper way to go, and can bring you alot of performance if done right that'll outdo subs costing way more. Take for example my DIY-HSU subwoofer, damn thing reaches 18hz and is loud as hell! I don't even use it anymore because it's overpowering lol

I've been investigating a DIY sub and I can't seem to justify it just yet simply becuz the price is waaaaaay higher than buying a manufactured sub...maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

concealer404

KASR wrote: »

I've been investigating a DIY sub and I can't seem to justify it just yet simply becuz the price is waaaaaay higher than buying a manufactured sub...maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

Yeah, you're looking at kits. Not true DIY.

That said, some of the Dayton Titanic kits are VERY reasonably priced.

KASR

concealer404 wrote: »

Yeah, you're looking at kits. Not true DIY.

That said, some of the Dayton Titanic kits are VERY reasonably priced.

Well, I'm looking at the drivers and bash amps and then handling the construction myself....unless you're suggesting I build the amp myself!?!

kawizx9r

KASR wrote: »

I've been investigating a DIY sub and I can't seem to justify it just yet simply becuz the price is waaaaaay higher than buying a manufactured sub...maybe I'm just looking in the wrong places.

concealer404 wrote: »

Yeah, you're looking at kits. Not true DIY.

That said, some of the Dayton Titanic kits are VERY reasonably priced.

That's exactly it!

When I said DIY, I mean literally DIY!

One sec, I'll post the thread on my sub I built. You just need the tools and the know-how, which really isn't all that difficult. Make sure you do it right though, otherwise it'll fail horribly.

Edit: Here we go! http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88361
Btw, depending on the application itself....you can find drivers/amps at reasonable prices. Also, you don't have to power the sub with a built-in plateamp (they're more expensive and less efficient anyway). Get yourself a bridge-capable stereo amp like an adcom or just pick up a carver mono amp or something on the used

KASR

kawizx9r wrote: »

That's exactly it!

When I said DIY, I mean literally DIY!

One sec, I'll post the thread on my sub I built. You just need the tools and the know-how, which really isn't all that difficult. Make sure you do it right though, otherwise it'll fail horribly.

Edit: Here we go! http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=88361
Btw, depending on the application itself....you can find drivers/amps at reasonable prices.

Very awesome thread! Thanks!

Neschore

Your DIY is definitely fun to read about! If only I had the time... But while we're talking about this, with a mid-sized room (maybe 16x20 or so) and already having the two Dynacos with their 10" woofers for front bookshelf spkrs, I presume a sub would have to be no less than 10", right? Thanks for the suggestions on the other brands, but for the moment I'd like to learn more about the Polks. So then, what can you tell me about the current PSW 110 and 125 models vs the older 404 and 505? Seems that the older ones and the newer ones (when on sale) cost about the same, or at least pretty close. There is a port design difference, I gather?

kawizx9r

Neschore wrote: »

Your DIY is definitely fun to read about! If only I had the time... But while we're talking about this, with a mid-sized room (maybe 16x20 or so) and already having the two Dynacos with their 10" woofers for front bookshelf spkrs, I presume a sub would have to be no less than 10", right? Thanks for the suggestions on the other brands, but for the moment I'd like to learn more about the Polks. So then, what can you tell me about the current PSW 110 and 125 models vs the older 404 and 505? Seems that the older ones and the newer ones (when on sale) cost about the same, or at least pretty close. There is a port design difference, I gather?

Personally, I've never heard any of the older subs other than the PSW10 which I owned for a short while.

Sold it on the forum and the owner really likes it, kick-butt sub for small rooms and for those on a budget.

I've heard alot of great things about the 505, and they seem to be pretty darn cheap too! $250 or so brand new? Just do a little bit of research beforehand. The only other Polk subs I've heard is the MicroPro 1000, and it's definitely a sub to be recognized. Doubt you'll like it for HT though, due to the lack of it's low-end response and limited output.

Goodluck with whatever you get!

Hilbert

I had a psw 110 for a while --- still have it, in fact, under a dustcloth in a corner --- and found it to be good for movies, but poor bordering on useless for music, classical especially. It's a sub designed for HT, treats every sound as if it were a movie fireball, doesn't like to change notes quickly, and it's usually obvious when bass notes shift from speakers to sub.

My impression, which may be incorrect, is that all the Polk PSW subs fit this description, differing mainly in the size of the fireballs they can accommodate. To get a musical Polk sub you have to rise to the DSW level. If that's not possible budget-wise, you might look at used subs in the flea market or on audiogon, and certainly keep an eye on Polk Direct, the ebay site. A musical sub from another manufacturer can easily blend into a Polk speaker system. Good luck,

danz1906

Look into SVS subwoofers!

Neschore

This is very helpful. Thanks a bunch, all of you! Glad I asked the questions before jumping at the first good-looking sale price on the web. I will look into the DSW series and other brands after all. Worth it to pay some more now and avoid big disappointment later...

BTW, when Amazon sells a Polk speaker for a third-party that Polk does not list as an authorized online distributor ("WholeSaleAV" for instance), what's the deal on the warranty? Amazon is authorized, but does that count? No way do I want to miss out on Polk's warranty coverage.

concealer404

What's your budget? I didn't see that number put out yet....

You can look at an 8", 10", 12", whatever.... size isn't everything. It sure helps, but it's not the be all end all. I had two Mirage Omni S8s, and they had no issues at all going below 30hz, and doing so pretty hard.

I haven't heard any of the Polk subs, but people seem to really like the PSW505, and it's usually about $250 from newegg.com. My last sub was a Klipsch RW-10D, and in a 16x20 room it would be perfectly adequate, and it's a brute. Could probably find one for $300 or so.

Neschore

If I can get a musical sub in that range, it would be great. If need be I'll go higher; HT is not the main consideration. I see MicroPro 1000s in the mid-$300s on Amazon; the smaller SVSs are about $100 more. Hilbert's comments above about the Polk PSWs have really made me hesitate as far as that line of subs is concerned.

kawizx9r

concealer404 wrote: »

.... size isn't everything.

That's not what she said ;)

Neschore wrote: »

If I can get a musical sub in that range, it would be great. If need be I'll go higher; HT is not the main consideration. I see MicroPro 1000s in the mid-$300s on Amazon; the smaller SVSs are about $100 more. Hilbert's comments above about the Polk PSWs have really made me hesitate as far as that line of subs is concerned.

The MicroPro's are miniature beasts imo, and excel for music. For the footprint, it sure had me fooled!

I would love to grab a 3000 or 4000, but that'd require me to have a bigger room or if I wanted some serious output! The micropro's (especially 1k/2k) are not SPL champs, but they give you some quality bass.