| Columns Retired Columns & Blogs |
October 2, 2010 - 8:00pm
#1
Looking for some advice to choosing a subwoofer
| Loudspeakers Amplification Digital Sources | |
Analog Sources Accessories Featured | |
Music Columns Retired Columns | |
Show Reports | |
Features Latest News Community | |
Resources Subscriptions |
© 2024 StereophileAVTech Media Americas Inc., USA
All rights reserved
You might look at a JBL( www.jr.com ) or a Cerwin Vega
http://www.a1components.com/cerwin-vega.aspx
I am thinking that "listening loud" is the key requirement.
I would be looking at 15" and up.
Google both brands and find the best price and selection.
You should be able to find a good used Velodyne subwoofer.
I suggest AudiogoN's site for some listings. Also Canuck Audio Mart as well.
Stereophile, as well as other reputable review magazines have recommended the Velodyne brand for years.
Hope this helps.
Mark
http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/srch_fs.pl?Velodyne
For music it almost surely has to be sealed and if possible servo controlled.
Don't have to look any farther than these:
Rythmik F12G or F15
Epik Legend or Empire
Hi, Josh, welcome.
You would likely kill the Martin Logan.
I agree with Jim Tavegia. The Cerwin Vega line is known for loud. Check out Jim's links and head over to Cerwin Vega's website, too.
X 2
The Martin Logan is built for ultimate precision and speed to match up with electrostatic speakers, NOT for huge thumping bass at high volume levels. The Martin Logan is a Lamborghini and you need a Hummer. I agree that a Velodyne would be a good choice. A JL would certainly work because they very much are built to pound coming from the car audio industry. Maybe the used marked would bring one of those into your price range.
"The Martin Logan is a Lamborghini and you need a Hummer."
LOL. awesome, I like the analogy.
So it seems the consensus is that I will end up blowing the Martin Logan...
I dont know if i came across as being really big into "bass" as in I listen to hip hop and want to shake the pictures off the wall... which is cool and all but not really my cup of tea. I listen to rock n roll and heavy metal type of music 90% of the time. I'm big into clarity and dont like a muddy sounding bass that will drown out my bookshelf mains if you know what i mean. I would like to be able to hear and feel the drums but not to be overwhelming. I dont know if the cerwin vega or JBL are up to this task as they seem to be on the cheaper side and am a little weary as I have not heard much about these speakers except for them being super loud.
From what i have researched which honestly isn't much.. it seems the bigger the driver the less clarity/response but louder.
If i have to turn that volume knob down on the sub to make it so it doesnt blow im up to that task I reckon, as I had to do that with the b&w.
Oh and BTW, the guy working there said he is selling a pair of hardly used b&w 603 series 3 for $400 which seems to be a good deal, any thoughts?
Oh, it would be really nice to sample some of these subs before I pull the trigger I guess ill ahve to call around the local stores and see who has what...
Thanks so much guys!
In my experience, having no sub is better than having a mediocre one. I also feel that most of the time, folks could upgrade loudspeakers and get greater returns on their investment than they might spending the same amount of money on a sub.
100% correct. I couldn't agree more.
Thats why a subwoofer from B&W, Martin-Logan, Velodyne, REL, or Infinity would do have to do. This is unfortunetly where you may have to put out some serious coin, but it will be well worth it in the long run.
Mark
If this is the case you are likely to get more precision with a sealed subwoofer and the ultimate with the addition of servo control. Check out the Rythmik F15HP.
Hmmm alright... a lot of thinking is in store in the next few days.
Sounds like my decision is to either go for the 2 b&w 603 s3 for $400, and maybe get my sub fixed.
Or look into the rythmik brand subwoofer. The only problem i see with the rythmik is I have just heard of them... from what I've read it sounds like a pretty decent manufacturer. Do they sell these in stores so I could take a listen?
Or buy the martin logan and take it easy on her.
I'm thinking the first option may seem like the best solution for right now since its cheaper, (i dont have to get the sub fixed right now, I can always put that off or save up for the big boy)
spending $1300 on a speaker seems a little steap... for the time being anyways.. (for the rythmik F15HP)
What do you guys think? What would YOU do if you were in my shoes.
Now is the perfect time to not do anything.
Buy in haste, repent at leisure.
Time for more reading, research, and auditioning (if possible.)
Relax, take your time, and think about whether your budget could allow for more choices after a few weeks or months.
I'm with Buddah on this.
For now, do it the "Wei wu wei" way, and when the time is auspitious, the proper woofer will present intself to you and you will then be capable of knowing it.
Peace, out.
If they sell PSB speakers in your area give them a listen. They can take a good amount of abuse, are a very good value and sound pretty damn good at their price point. I actually have 3 subwoofers in my 2ch setup. I have found two decent subs are much better than one really pricey one. I know it sounds strange to have 3 subs in a two channel setup but it is simply amazing.
You haven't stated an actual budget nor what you really want from a sub other than "clarity". For power handing - no breakage - here's my suggestion;
http://www.parts-express.com/pe/showdetl.cfm?Partnumber=248-635
Musicians Friend is selling them in pairs which would be a good idea; http://pro-audio.musiciansfriend.com/product/Behringer-B1800X-Pro-Eurolive-Subwoofer-Pair?sku=600482
You don't need extension for rock as most of the energy is above 40Hz and centered around 80Hz is the sweet zone for a little extra thump. You need slam and punch and the Behringer will do that. If the stated 100dB senstivity is anywhere close to correct, you shouldn't be ripping this sub a new one any time soon - and, even if you do, this one has handles to make it easier to haul into the shop.