Best Powered Subwoofer in the $1,000 Range
- Thread starter Too Loud
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- cerwin vega cv sub subwoofer
wyn palmer
Addicted Member
I have the VTF-15H MK2 in my second system- with the home theater. I tried it with the stereo system and it did not integrate acoustically as well with the electrostats.
Don't get me wrong it's a great sub, but even Hsu says that the ULS 15 II is better for stereo systems.
Subwoofers Comparison (hsuresearch.com)
RunOutGroove
Addicted Member
If you're going with SVS, I'd think about the SB, version over the PB one. Other folks will maybe have other things to say about it, but it seems to me that ported subwoofers, which offer a bit deeper bass are generally more prized for home theater as they can do more convincing special effects sounds (like in the sci-fi action move where a planet is splitting part and there's a big sonic boom). With the non ported version of that speaker, you do sacrifice a bit of bass (though not that much) but the quality of the bass that it has is a bit tighter and more musical. I think that with the non-ported too, you have a bit more options as far as placement because with a ported one, if you have it too close to a wall, the port of going to throw all of that bass to the wall and it's going to sound muddy... You might just prefer the deeper, somewhat less precise bass of the ported style, but it is something to think about.
Too Loud
Member
That comparison is very interesting, I thought that with the plugs, I could make it a sealed speaker. Reading all of the sealed vs. ported, it sounds like I will like the ported sound better. Maybe I will send HSU an email and see what they think.
The Dayton DIY speaker route is interesting too, but I don't want to do that right now. Thanks for all of the input so far. I'm learning a lot along the way.
pauldrewry
Super Member
Tekton makes a good sub.
You can plug the ports with the bungs and use it in sealed mode or without in ported mode or one in one out to tune as you please.
Audiofreak71
Nixxuz
Super Member
Dual RSL Speedwoofers. They pretty much have the best specs in their price range, or at least that's what I gathered from some site that had a HUGE database on a ton of different subs.
Too Loud
Member
So after getting a reply to an email sent to HSU, I pulled the trigger on an VTF-15H MK2. I sent them my original post and they replied: "I think the 15H MK2 with both ports open, EQ2, Q 0.3 should be great. Send a detailed room layout and we will suggest sub placement. That can make a huge difference too. The 15 H is extremely close to the ULS in musicality." So I have it on order and they show delivery this Friday. I'll see if one sub is enough for me. If not, I can save my pennies and get a second one at some point. I can't wait. Thanks for the input, I'll soon know if I chose wisely or not and at $969, I came in under budget.
Too Loud
Member
Thanks, I am paying the price for trying going cheap. Hopefully this will complete my system. The only variable left is the computer, since I play everything via Itunes. I need to find out if a better computer or sound card can make much of a difference. I also want to subscribe to one of the Hi-res music streamers, I want to be able to keep whatever I download during my subscription.
Congratulations
Audiofreak71
Well I could give you some advice on gear for streaming but that may be another thread however, what I can recommend for a streaming service is Qobuz and if you can swing it get Roon to tie all your services together ie. Qobuz, Tidal , your Hard Drives etc.
Audiofreak71
Too Loud
Member
I need to do some reading in the Digital Sources sub-forum. I will check out Qobuz, Roon and all of the other options. Thanks!
Too Loud
Member
Too Loud
Member
I received the sub yesterday and hooked it up. There are a lot of settings to play with, so it's going to take a while to get the final adjustments where I want them to be. But now, I understand that the Klipsch sub was not keeping up and the noise it created covered up the sound of the Cerwin Vegas. So now I have better lows and the CVs sound better. I can understand wanting to have two, but until I go to a larger listening room, one will do.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
Just remember one thing. 99% of audiophile complaints about powered subs are because the level is to high and/or the crossover frequency is too high. Frequently it's both.
If you can hear a subwoofer working it's not properly adjusted. The only time you should notice it is when it's turned off. The absence of deep bass is immediately obvious. That's why many use measurements to adjust and set a subwoofer.
Final thought: A properly adjusted subwoofer does not need to have the settings changed when going from movies to music. A flat extended low end is the same for both.
If you can hear a subwoofer working it's not properly adjusted. The only time you should notice it is when it's turned off. The absence of deep bass is immediately obvious. That's why many use measurements to adjust and set a subwoofer.
Final thought: A properly adjusted subwoofer does not need to have the settings changed when going from movies to music. A flat extended low end is the same for both.
Too Loud
Member
Thanks for that input, I did notice that playing with the volume once I "heard the sub" it didn't sound as good. I know there is no universal setting for the crossover frequency, but is there a rule of thumb for the starting point?
stish
Well-Known Member
I dealt with this issue with an isolation block between the sub and the bookshelf speaker (and sub on an amp stand). This puts the tweeters at the ideal level.
THF2
Where we are going, there are no roads
My suggestion is a Sunfire powered 12 inch subwoofer.
the one that I am thinking about may not be available as new but saw it on eBay and that would be my choice. I have never heard something so well defined in a sub-woofer.
* Sunfire True Subwoofer MK IV 2700 Watts
No affiliation with eBay or the seller.
the one that I am thinking about may not be available as new but saw it on eBay and that would be my choice. I have never heard something so well defined in a sub-woofer.
* Sunfire True Subwoofer MK IV 2700 Watts
No affiliation with eBay or the seller.
JoeESP9
ESL's & tubes since 83
Yes.
Start with the sub's crossover set to the -3dB point of your mains. Set the level to where you can just barely hear the subwoofer. Then turn it down a notch. Those are the best initial settings I can think of.
Later I'll talk about the subwoofer crawl
You shouldn't know there is a subwoofer until you turn it of.