Can anyone recommend an audiophile quality powered sub?
I don't want a boomy sub to rattle my house, something to fill in the lows of my monitors.
Does anyone have an opinion on subs that have room correction DSP like the Velodyne?
Does room correction take away from our purest view of music, or is it a good modern
method for dealing with room resonances?
Thanks,
Jeff
iMac->Airport Extreme WiFi->AppleTV->Benchmark DAC1->DNM/Eichmann Interconnects->McIntosh MC602->DNM/Eichmann Speaker Cables->ATC SCM12's
Posts: 3144
Hi Jeff - I've always been a
Hi Jeff - I've always been a fan of REL subs for music.
Room correction is not my thing, but many people won't live without it.
Chris Connaker
Founder
Computer Audiophile
Posts: 399
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com
http://www.epiksubwoofers.com/KnightCabinet.html
REL EPIK HSU
Personally I'll buy Epik because money IS an object when I manage to kill off my antiqish Velodyne.
Posts: 71
BK
BK sell subs direct to the public and make them for several UK companies, including the original RELs.
http://www.bkelec.com/index.htm
I have a Rega Vulcan sub which was made by them. Works well for a little 'un.
Posts: 72
The BK's seem very
The BK's seem very interesting. So far I have only seen 220V 50Hz models.
I need the 110V 60Hz, any idea if they make them and sell in the US?
Jeff
iMac->Airport Extreme WiFi->AppleTV->Benchmark DAC1->DNM/Eichmann Interconnects->McIntosh MC602->DNM/Eichmann Speaker Cables->ATC SCM12's
Posts: 71
BK contact
I know the Rega was available as a 110V option. Your best bet is to contact them direct
http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/Contact.htm
Posts: 72
I take it they are not over
I take it they are not over powering or boomy?
Without room correction, how do you prevent resonances?
Thanks,
Jeff
iMac->Airport Extreme WiFi->AppleTV->Benchmark DAC1->DNM/Eichmann Interconnects->McIntosh MC602->DNM/Eichmann Speaker Cables->ATC SCM12's
Posts: 152
Subs
I've generally been against subwoofers but recently purchased one.
I think the key is to use the volume controls and crossover controls sparingly so that it is very quiet and subtle.
Another key is placement. People often think that subs can be hidden - which to me implies corners - but mind performs much more articulately when placed out in the room between the main speakers.
Some bass lines are terrible though. My sub is perfect with real music - jazz and classical - but I occasionally put on some dance music (nightclub type) and the bass can be OTT.
It's not entirely the fault of the sub; it's just they're extended enough to show up incompetence in some mixes.
System 1: Mac Mini > AVI ADM9.1 / ADM9 subwoofer
System 2: AEX > Plinius 8100 > AVI Neutron 5
AVI ADM9 Owners Club
Posts: 71
Bass booming
The Rega sub claims 17Hz but only reaches 30Hz in my room. It isn't boomy at all and in any case room positioning helps.
The audio writer Earl Geddes recommends the use of three smaller subs (rather than one large) to balance out room resonance and get the bass sounding right. You'll find one of his papers here which covers the subject:
http://www.gedlee.com/Papers.htm
Note that one of them has to be at ceiling level!
Posts: 19
Audiophile quality powered subwoofer
Hi: I am a big fan of and a long time user of Rel Storm subwoofers. They are fantastics subs (I own two for bi-amp configuration) and once integrated into your system they are practically invisible. They are easy to integrate by ear (trial and error). They also take on much of the bass characteristics of the mains because they are connected to the system via the amps speaker terminals. Finesse and power, invisibility, and extremely musical. I believe the newer models are even more advanced but I have not tried them.
Posts: 58
Audiophile Subwoofers
Hi Jeff:
I hope I can be of some help.
Subwoofers can be difficult to set up with satellite speakers.
One needs to take into consideration the shape and volume of the room, the frequency response of the monitors, room acoustics, and placement of the sub in the room.
I don't know of any easy plug & play solutions that will have a quality sound. It gets more confusing because many subs are designed and made for home theater systems and sound horrible with a stereo system.
I have heard two very impressive sounding systems with REL subwoofers. First: a friend uses a McIntosh integrated amp with Sonus Faber Guarneri Memento monitors (hope I spelled that correctly), and an REL Sentor III subwoofer. This sub is a downfiring type, room placement can make a big difference, and of course room tuning is required from controls on the rear. The sub picks up where the monitors leave off and completely disappears in the room. The detail is amazing from this sub, not to exclude the wonderful Sonus speakers.
My neighbor uses mostly Ayre electronics with an impressive pair of Sonus Faber Amati floor standing speakers with the REL Studio III subwoofer. Same design and setup as the above Sentor III, but larger driver and more powerful amp. This is a very well tuned system many audiophiles dream about. The bass is so clean and well defined, I have heard equal, but few better.
I have also heard other REL model subwoofers in home theater systems. Front firing Black cubes that truly rattle your bones. Completely different sound than the audiophile reference grade Sentor and Studio.
The last floor standing speaker system I owned was a pair of Thiel CS2.4 with a SS1 subwoofer. Thiel has a unique approach to subwoofer design. They address the incoming frequency range in relation to the main speaker frequency response and adjust the subwoofer to match perfectly. They employ two different crossovers: a selection of passive crossovers to match each of their speakers, or a crossover/controller unit to use with other make of speakers. This allows for placement of the sub in the center, out from the wall, in corners, or out in the room with easy setup adjustments. On the positive side, Thiel subs work well with a variety of other speakers, they sound quite neutral, do not interfere or produce resonance with the mid bass, and do not overpower the mid range. The speakers are reasonably priced, but the crossover/controller unit is not cheap and a necessity for a two channel system. Very well made (at least 10 different veneers available) and sounding subs for an audio system that will accurately, and pleasingly fill in where your satellite speakers leave off.
I have listened to a lot of subwoofers, most sound horrible in a two channel system. The above are two of the best I have personally heard. The Legacy sub is also awesome, but in my opinion, should only be used with other Legacy speakers. The best sounding sub I have witnessed was the Wilson Audio Watch Dog with a set of Watt Puppy 8. They are tricky to place, passive (no internal amp), and include a complex external crossover one can switch form 2 channel, to 5.1 or 7.1 use. One would absolutely need a Wilson tech rep to set them up, and of course the price is totally outrageous, but wow, the bass is as smooth, deep, and accurate as you can imagine (excluding the massive Thor's Hammer).
I'm sure there are other quality sounding subs available, however, the above subwoofers were the few that stood out above the many I have listened to. I should mention that monitors and a subwoofer/s will never be a substitute for full range floor standing speakers, but today, one can come close.
Daphne