Need Help Deciding on Speakers or at Least Subwoofer

[camerakid]

Hi! I need some help deciding on some speakers. I need speakers (or a sub) that pair with my Onkyo TX-904, and will have a semi-compact size. I listen to alot of dubstep, so bass is what I need. I noticed that vintage audio equipment sounds best with dubstep (odd, isn't it?), so I need some vintage speakers. I don't plan on turning the volume way up, maybe just to a semi-loud listening volume, so big wattage is not that necessary. I've been looking at some speakers on craigslist, mostly some Advents and some Garrards. I have some vintage Knight KN-3009, but there is not much bass. So, just a (powered) sub would be good. But... I do want to use the sub on the remote channel (so when my dad listens to his old music he can turn it off) but the remote channel of my Onkyo is weird... it works, just not the volume nob. If anyone could help me with this problem, that would be great =) Sooooo... I need a good pair of speakers, but a sub will be best, most likely.

 

[dc270]

Welcome to th board- I am not real clear on what you are asking, but I do have some questions for you. Are you considering used subs with amplification? How about possibly new subs with a DIY aspect like from Parts Express? How about "distributed" (multiple) sub woofers? Some of the Velodyne models and others have remote control to them. What size sb or room are you filling, music preferences?
I am sure you would get many responses here with a good degree of intelligence mixed in, we/I would need more input to generate a good reply.
DC

 

[N8Nagel]

I'd not bother putting a powered sub on "remote channel" (assume this is Onkyo's way of designating "speaker B") unless just for wiring convenience... you'll never want to power it off. Most will power down if no signal received for a few minutes. Even your dad's music will sound better with a sub. For dubstep or any music with really deep bass you're going to want that full range, and the only vintage speakers I've heard that I would even consider for such use without a sub are my Rectilinear IIIs. Maybe an AR3 but those are spendy and I haven't ever heard them in person. Anything else that will do the do will be significantly more expensive. I picked up an Outlaw powered sub off my local craigslist and it goes even deeper than the Rectilinears. Also I've heard good things about Rhythmik, HSU, etc. Just keep an eye out.

Now Advents are nice speakers, others with a similar sound would be AR, KLH, etc. Those are all what people will call "east coast" speakers and have kind of a laid back treble. The "west coast" speakers (Infinity, Klipsch, etc.) reportedly have a brighter sound. I haven't given a serious listen to any of those due to my Craigslist buying proclivities and location but I have been on a Burhoe kick lately (EPI, Epicure, Genesis) and those inverted dome tweeters to my ears sound like my mental image of what people describe the west coast sound to be and I like it. Probably worth listening to at least one good example of each unless you're prepared to buy and sell a few pairs of speakers until you find what you really want.

It's also good to have some music in your library that may not be your thing but is a really good test for various aspects of your system, e.g. I like Cake for that super-clean detailed sound, likewise a few classical selections, I have one Beyonce track with a really deep bass sweep (although if you're into dubstep you probably have something you like better that does the same thing) etc. etc. etc.

 

[camerakid]

I'd not bother putting a powered sub on "remote channel" (assume this is Onkyo's way of designating "speaker B") unless just for wiring convenience... you'll never want to power it off. Most will power down if no signal received for a few minutes. Even your dad's music will sound better with a sub. For dubstep or any music with really deep bass you're going to want that full range, and the only vintage speakers I've heard that I would even consider for such use without a sub are my Rectilinear IIIs. Maybe an AR3 but those are spendy and I haven't ever heard them in person. Anything else that will do the do will be significantly more expensive. I picked up an Outlaw powered sub off my local craigslist and it goes even deeper than the Rectilinears. Also I've heard good things about Rhythmik, HSU, etc. Just keep an eye out.

Now Advents are nice speakers, others with a similar sound would be AR, KLH, etc. Those are all what people will call "east coast" speakers and have kind of a laid back treble. The "west coast" speakers (Infinity, Klipsch, etc.) reportedly have a brighter sound. I haven't given a serious listen to any of those due to my Craigslist buying proclivities and location but I have been on a Burhoe kick lately (EPI, Epicure, Genesis) and those inverted dome tweeters to my ears sound like my mental image of what people describe the west coast sound to be and I like it. Probably worth listening to at least one good example of each unless you're prepared to buy and sell a few pairs of speakers until you find what you really want.

It's also good to have some music in your library that may not be your thing but is a really good test for various aspects of your system, e.g. I like Cake for that super-clean detailed sound, likewise a few classical selections, I have one Beyonce track with a really deep bass sweep (although if you're into dubstep you probably have something you like better that does the same thing) etc. etc. etc.

Thanks so much! I will probably get a sub off craigslist if I can find one. I found one for 50 or 65 dollars called the JBL TLX PS10, so I will do some research on that

 

[Kingshead]

Also confused what you're looking for, but if still wanting suggestions on semi compact speakers that play loud and don't "require" a sub my first suggestion, Klipsch KG3.2.

 

[PR Audio]

Also confused what you're looking for, but if still wanting suggestions on semi compact speakers that play loud and don't "require" a sub my first suggestion, Klipsch KG3.2.

+1 on this one...

 

[donprice]

Thanks so much! I will probably get a sub off craigslist if I can find one. I found one for 50 or 65 dollars called the JBL TLX PS10, so I will do some research on that

You should be able to find a bunch subs in the $50-$75 range on craigslist. Some will be total crap and one or two will be a bargain. Always try to download the owners manual first and try to get the specs and figure out your connection options. The JBL has both high level (speaker) inputs and low level (line) inputs which will make them easier to hook up and use. Most will be like this...be sure to avoid the subs that were part of a HTiB (home theater in a box) system where amps and inputs are located in the receiver section that died and was thrown away. Lots of Yamaha subs were sold with nicer HT packages so be sure to give them a look.

Good time to shop for used gear since more than few HT subs were upgraded for christmas.

 

[N8Nagel]

^what he said.

As I said before, I'd search for Outlaw, Hsu, Rhythmik, Paradigm, etc. - not always the same mfgrs that make good speakers make good subs.

Definitely look up the specs on whatever you want to go look at before you waste your time. Some "subs" only go down to 30-35 Hz that will be disappointing if your speakers already go that low. Generally accepted lower frequency threshold for human hearing is 20 Hz and the closer you can get to that at -3dB or less the happier you will be.

As a general rule, sealed boxes sound "cleaner" than ported boxes which are often used for more "slam" without regard for sound quality. This is definitely not a hard and fast rule though as I've heard some ported stuff that sounds very nice indeed. The brands that I recommended have a rep for going deep with still decent SQ. A bigger cone with less excursion will in general sound cleaner than a smaller cone with more excursion. So for the same specs, I'd pick a 12" sub over an 8" sub even if everything looks the same on paper. Something like Rhythmik with servo control may be even better, although my Outlaw is both ported and non servo and still sounds good so obviously all of these rules are not 100% hard and fast.

Good luck with whatever you end up with and be sure to let us know how you like it

 

[PR Audio]

Other subwoofers to look for (some companies no longer in business): Elemental Designs, AV123, and PSB. If you had in your profile where you are located, we could be able to direct you to a sub for sale near you.

 

[camerakid]

Other subwoofers to look for (some companies no longer in business): Elemental Designs, AV123, and PSB. If you had in your profile where you are located, we could be able to direct you to a sub for sale near you.

I live in Speakerton, Speaker, United States of Speaker! It says in my profile! Just kidding, lol. I live in Escondido, California. I'll change the Speakerton thing, lol xD

 

[PR Audio]

I live in Speakerton, Speaker, United States of Speaker! It says in my profile! Just kidding, lol. I live in Escondido, California. I'll change the Speakerton thing, lol xD

So you live in the San Diego area, that is good for you as you should be able to find good used equipment there.

 

[camerakid]

So you live in the San Diego area, that is good for you as you should be able to find good used equipment there.

Ok, thanks!

 

[PR Audio]

I didn't notice in your original post that you are looking for complete speakers plus sub system. A great option is HSU Packaged System, but it might not be within your budget. So, what is your budget for speakers plus woofer? There is a REL T1 being sold in San Diego, but might not be within your budget, even used REL's can be expensive.

 

[camerakid]

Also confused what you're looking for, but if still wanting suggestions on semi compact speakers that play loud and don't "require" a sub my first suggestion, Klipsch KG3.2.

Also, do you have any tips on posting pictures? I can't figure it out =(

 

[Kingshead]

It can be done a couple of ways. You can store photos in a photobucket account, it's free, then copy the IMG code and paste in your post.

Or open an image on the net, copy it's url, click on the image icon next to the smiley face above, paste url in open window and click insert.

If this is confusing play around with it a bit, if still not able to post pics ask your kids LOL. Just kidding, if still having a problem I'll try to walk you through it again.

It's almost a requirement to use something like photobucket to post pics downloaded from a camera.

 

[camerakid]

It can be done a couple of ways. You can store photos in a photobucket account, it's free, then copy the IMG code and paste in your post.

Or open an image on the net, copy it's url, click on the image icon next to the smiley face above, paste url in open window and click insert.

If this is confusing play around with it a bit, if still not able to post pics ask your kids LOL. Just kidding, if still having a problem I'll try to walk you through it again.

It's almost a requirement to use something like photobucket to post pics downloaded from a camera.

Thanks SOOOOOO much!!!!

 

[mech986]

For dubstep or any music with really deep bass you're going to want that full range, and the only vintage speakers I've heard that I would even consider for such use without a sub are my Rectilinear IIIs.

Funny you should mention this. There's a CL ad in SD for a pair of speakers, Rectilinear about 30x19x14. Look about the size of model III's. At a very tasty price, no affiliation, not mine.

CK, Search for rectilinear or post id 5375858999. Those could be a nice start to a vintage system that you could really live with for not a lot of money.

 

[mech986]

There's also a pair of MB Quart 12 inch subwoofer drivers in cabinets, dual voice coil, maybe versions for automotive applications but many can be used in home environments as well. Since they are passive, they would need an amplifier channel each to drive them, and also a low pass crossover between the amp and sub, or an electronic crossover to filter just the lows in ahead of the amps, or an AV subwoofer output with amp.

Very nicely priced at $40 obo, although he also says $120 obo for pair. I think you could get them for $70/pr, they've been up for a week. post id: 5377153256

CL links not allowed in any forum except Dollars and Sense, that's why I"m posting the post ID number. No Affiliation, not mine.

I do have a pair of 12 inch Renaissance Subwoofer drivers myself, that I don't need. You'd need to source or build a compatible cabinet though. I'm in North OC county.

 

[mech986]

Also a pair of Bozak B301 Tempo speakers in CL, not sure how they would work with dub-step, but they probably would work fine with a subwoofer, grille cloth needs repair though. A little more at $200 obo or trade. No affiliation, not mine. post id: 5343204959

 

[N8Nagel]

Funny you should mention this. There's a CL ad in SD for a pair of speakers, Rectilinear about 30x19x14. Look about the size of model III's. At a very tasty price, no affiliation, not mine.

CK, Search for rectilinear or post id 5375858999. Those could be a nice start to a vintage system that you could really live with for not a lot of money.

View attachment 668457

damn that looks good. OP are you seeing this? Run, don't walk!