Subwoofer Nirvana

[tesseract]

I am curious, what is your all time favorite, cost no object manufactured (not DIY) subwoofer? What is your favorite budget manufactured subwoofer?


I have two high end choices and can not decide between them. One blows your hair back, as well as your clothes, the coat you are wearing... and your mind. The JTR Speakers Orbit Shifter.

The other is just imminently musical and plumbs the depths cleanly, seemingly without limits. The Seaton Sound Submersive.


My favorite budget subwoofer is the SVS PC-2000. It is one of the least expensive subs that can satisfactorily pressurize most any normal sized room and a pair would do about all I need.

 

[Leonard Caillouet]

The SVS is hard to beat for value, but the Submersive has to be the most impressive overall.

 

[tesseract]

Any other favorites worth a mention?

 

[Sonnie Parker]

It's hard to get past SVS for budget subs.

I think JTR Speakers and Seaton are going to always give others a run for the money. And no doubt the PB/SB 16 would be up there. You could probably spend a lot more money, but I just don't know that you would be getting anything noticeably better. I believe with subs there is a point of diminishing return that you can get to pretty quickly.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Dennis... tough question!

I really like my Power Sound Audio XS30s. And I wouldn't discount that company on any of its products. SVS, same deal. Amazing gear.

I've heard the Seaton's at show - INCREDIBLE!!!

I just don't feel like I've had enough broad exposure to all of the brands/models to make a definitive answer. I could, however, list quite a few models that I've owned that haven't lived up to their end of the bargain ;-)

 

[tesseract]

I've come >< this close to buying a pair of those dual opposed sealed puppies. The PSA XS30's sure do look to be bang for the buck.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I've never heard any PSA subs... would love to experience them at some point.

 

[Tonto]

Has there ever been a subwoofer evaluation like we do? Now that would get my attention.

Break it down into categories by budget ($1000, $2000, you get the point). Compare them in the same room just like our speaker evaluations. Tell me that wouldn't be an awesome weekend! I bet several companies would love to let their little beauties rattle some bones!

 

[Sonnie Parker]

That might be doable at some point, although not good for us old folks having to move them around.

 

[tesseract]

Has there ever been a subwoofer evaluation like we do? Now that would get my attention.

Break it down into categories by budget ($1000, $2000, you get the point). Compare them in the same room just like our speaker evaluations. Tell me that wouldn't be an awesome weekend! I bet several companies would love to let their little beauties rattle some bones!

I've taken part in a few and would love to again. Great idea!

 

[Tonto]

Harbor Freight has some 1,000 lb movers dolly's on sale for $8. They would help!

https://www.harborfreight.com/18-In-x-12-In-1000-lb-Capacity-Hardwood-Dolly-63097.html?ccdenc=eyJjb2RlIjoiNjE1NzU2OTciLCJza3UiOiI2MzA5NyIsImlzIjoiNy45OSIsInByb2R1Y3RfaWQi OiIxMjA0NCJ9

You recon those things would sorta decouple a sub from the floor a little bit?

 

[Mark C Flick]

For me, up top, JL Audio Fathom F113 or RBH Sound SX-1212P/R. Budget end the Kenwood SW-35HT was pretty good and the Hsu Research VTF-1 MK2.

 

[Sonnie Parker]

I do have a HUGE large front area... about a football field or better for measurements as well.

 

[tesseract]

For me, up top, JL Audio Fathom F113 or RBH Sound SX-1212P/R. Budget end the Kenwood SW-35HT was pretty good and the Hsu Research VTF-1 MK2.

JL definitely deserve a mention, also top-flight, in my experience. The Kenwood is intriguing, would love to hear it

 

[tesseract]

I do have a HUGE large front area... about a football field or better for measurements as well.

Your back yard would suffice, as well as the side yard! Lots of room at the CCC.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Sub event would be wicked - so many good ones on the market.

While not as exciting, finding a solid budget sub that actually performs would probably be of interest to a lot of folks.

 

[leecreek]

Well I have a BIC formula 12. Very disappointing. Ended up replacing the Amp in my Cerwin Vega for the movies..

 

[Jack]

I dont really have any recommendations beyond what I have owned which is a PSA 15 downward firing and the HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP sub I now have. Both subs did well but the HSU just seems to have a bit more build quality and attractiveness going for it. I think either brand would make the buyer happy as can be.

 

[tesseract]

Well I have a BIC formula 12. Very disappointing. Ended up replacing the Amp in my Cerwin Vega for the movies..

I had a 12" CV sub that made little to no difference in my room, which is really hard to pressurize, to be fair. Sold it to a friend that desperately wanted it, for peanuts. Despite my warnings, he pushed it too hard and toasted the measly 150 watt amp.

The driver was decent, but failed completely in that thin pressed wood box with that amp.

Inexpensive CV subs do not take the cake in this thread, for sure.

 

[Todd Anderson]

I dont really have any recommendations beyond what I have owned which is a PSA 15 downward firing and the HSU VTF-3 MK5 HP sub I now have. Both subs did well but the HSU just seems to have a bit more build quality and attractiveness going for it. I think either brand would make the buyer happy as can be.

The standard PSA finish is really best used in a light controlled theater... it's a very utilitarian look for sure. Build quality-wise, I'd probably have to say PSA is much more robust.

HSU is a fantastic company that offers big bang for little buck... and their subs all have a very clean design.

Both are great companies!

 

[Winestock]

My all time favorite subwoofers are my pair of Funk Audio 18.0 subwoofers. Probably the most configurable subs available. No issues pressurizing my 2900cf basement.

 

[Eric SVL]

I haven't had the opportunity to hear anything from JTR or Seaton, but I'm doing okay with my Rythmik F12 pair. These don't fit into the cost no object or budget categories, but somewhere in between.

View media item 3721View media item 3722
In a 4300 cubic foot living room (and open to rest of house)
View media item 3723
This was about 15db of headroom over what I normally listen at. Have yet to fully test them at the new house in a much smaller, closeable room.

 

[Todd Anderson]

Whoa! That's like looking down the barrel of two cannons!

That curve is exactly how I like to set my system up... and look at that extension!

How heavy (weight) are they?

 

[Eric SVL]

Whoa! That's like looking down the barrel of two cannons!

That curve is exactly how I like to set my system up... and look at that extension!

How heavy (weight) are they?

Thanks, Todd. They are about 60-65lbs each. Not bad at all if you have carpet - they slide fairly well. And you can get your arms around them well since they don't have the huge dimensions that some of the subs mentioned above have.

The best part about them is their definition with the damping on the high setting. The amp controls let me dial everything in nicely. I put sub 1 at front center, behind TV, and sub 2 at rear center. They blend nicely and the shockwave rolls right through me when the Kraken takes down the ship in Pirates 2

They probably don't compete with your subs though! (though they did rattle some tile off the walls of the shower)

 

[Todd Anderson]

Manageability is mega important - set up, even more so! Subs are so sweet when tight and dialed in.... from the looks of your measurement, you have them locked and loaded!!

I’ve rattled the kitchen quite a few times... gladly, no tile damage ;-)