Question about buying the right subwoofer?

Question

I am currently in the market for a subwoofer. I am fairly knowledgeable about stereo electronics, but have not bought a sub before. Right now I am looking for units in the $300-400 range and like these three models:

Boston Acoustics HPS 10 SE Horizon Sub $350

Definitive Technology Pro Sub 800 $400

Mirage Omni S8 $370

I have been particularly impressed with the Definitive Technology sub.

More details: I will be using this sub in a room 12'x25'. The sub will be used much more for music than for movies. I listen to all types of music, but do enjoy jungle/drum n' bass quite often. This sub will be used with a pair of JBL ARC90 speakers rated at 200 watts that I've had for about 11 years. Here are my questions:

1) Which sub would you recommend for my purposes?

2) I have a Pioneer receiver from 1998 that has 135 watts going to the two front channels. I'm probably going to upgrade. How much power will I need from a new receiver with one of the subs above?

Thanks!

Answer 1

Hello!  All the subs you mentioned are nice units, but I'm gonna agree with the fellows above and recommend SVS.  They make the absolute best subs for the money.  One listen and I'm sure you'll agree.  I have had three different models from them and currently have 2 PB-13 Ultras in my dedicated home theater and no other subs have been able to demonstrate the sheer amount of power and depth that SVS subs can produce.  Their true quality shines when you play them with music.  Any sub can make loud, boomy, ambient base for action movies and explosions and the like, but a true quality sub can also reproduce all the sonic nuances of a musical recording as well.   SVS handles both music and movies admirably.  

Check out their website at svsound.com and feel free to send a floorplan of your room with furniture, acoustical treatments, and speaker placement and they will gladly recommend a sub for your needs, wants, and budget.  They are a fabulous company and they really stand by their product!  Don't forget to purchase an SPL meter and properly calibrate the sub for your system.  I amazed at how many people fail to do that.  Hope this helps!  Good luck!!

Answer 2

You should really consider SVS they will crush the subs you mentioned and will last incredibly long. I feel with SVS you get the most bang for your buck BY FAR.

Answer 3

I would check out an internet company called SVSound.com which specializes in subs.  They have a PB10 which costs 450.00 (no tax) and is by far better than any of those subs listed.

Take the DT Prosub 800 it has a company stated frequency response that says down into the 20Hz range but that is marketing BS.  I own two of the their DT Supercube 1's and they only get to 27 Hz before massive drop off.  And the Supercube costs three times that of the ProSub 800.

Now SVS, their entry level PB10 sub has a frequency response that has been tested at 18Hz before drop off and that is clean pure bass that hits you dead center in the chest, unlike store bought subs which have large amounts of distorted bass (that whooshing sound you hear is distortion).

Once you hear clean undistorted bass, you will never buy another store bought sub ever again.  Check out audio/video sites like AVSForum.com or SoundandVisionMag.com and check out their forums.  Internet subs like SVS and Hsu or very highly regarded. Granted they are about 100.00 bucks more, subs like SVS can easily beat out subs like Martin Logan which cost thousands.

BTW companies like SVS and Hsu publish their frequency response tests used in an soundproof chamber and publish their "true" drop off response unlike other companies.  Don't get me wrong DefTech makes a fine sub which is why I own two Supercubes, but I bought the supercubes to help with the mid bass response and to help fill null void (empty) spaces at the front of my theater.  Where the SVS (I own the NSD12/2) is used for the intense real deep bass.  My DT supercubes volume is at level 7 on the gain (volume level) where my SVS is only at 2.5 and it overpowers the supercubes, which tells me how good the design and amp work together.  Because your room is so large, I would look at getting one of the better SVS subs, but their entry level PB10 will easily beat out the three you have listed.  Good luck and happy shopping.

Answer 4

Hi JJ,

Answering your questions:

1) Probably some of the most popular subs in audio circles are by SVS and HSU.  Check out their web sites.  There are plenty of others, but hard to find many under $400 unless you by used.  Here's an SVS that would really rock.

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?h...

I recommend buying used from Audiogon.com and Videogon.com since most people on there really love audio and take care of their stuff... although you can find gems on ebay sometimes.  And buying used lets you upgrade easier since you can usually sell it for what you paid (or more) unlike buying new.  Not to mention you get lots more for the money.

2) Your speakers are rated for a 200watt amp which in the real world doesn't mean too much, but it does seem like you could move up some.  If your pioneer receiver has pre-amp outs and you're happy with it's other features then I would highly recommend you check out a 2-ch amp to power your mains. A separate amp typically will smoke a receiver since an amp can push much more current which really opens things up musically.  I'd say a 75watt amp is more like a 150watt receiver or more.  It's all about the current. Watt ratings are all marketing and hype.

More info (or babbling cause I love this stuff):

Integrating a subwoofer into a 2-ch music rig can be quite challenging if you are a critical listener.  You have to dial in both location of the sub and crossover frequency to get it to sound right. Otherwise things can get muddy if your sub and mains are trying to play the same frequencies.  Your JBL mains play down to 35hz according to the spec sheet so your sub's crossover should be tuned to pickup at around 40 or 35hz and lower to keep things clean.  If your receiver will let you, you might try to cut some bass from your mains and let the sub handle say 60hz and lower.  It will be a matter of trial and error.

Another philosophy is to not use a sub at all for music.  Many people go this route because the built-in crossover in larger floor standing speakers are generally tuned nicely with the bass-mid-highs. As I mentioned adding a sub in a setup can be difficult and for some rooms almost impossible to get tuned right.  So I'm offering another option for you.  Maybe skip the sub, sell your JBL's and buy some floor standers that produce the bass you're looking for.  I think in the long run you'd be very happy that way.  I have a great sub, but I only use it for movies.  I turn it off when I listen to music if that tells you anything.  I hope something here helps.  Also check out the "2 Channel Audio" forum at Polk for some advice on 2ch music rigs.

http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/

Good luck