Rava v. PSB SubSonics and why (1 Viewer)

[Al Moodie]

For my HT I’m about to buy the PSB Image Series
2 3LRs as fronts
8c as center
2 10Ss (bipoles) as surrounds
(http://www.psbspeakers.com/s/ImageSeries.html)
My room is 19.5 x 17 with 8ft ceiling, (2600 cubic feet),
low pile carpeting, hard walls , one normal sized doorway but no door.
The dealer is suggesting the PSB SubSonic 5 or 6 for subwoofer
(http://www.psbspeakers.com/s/Subwoofers2.html)
but I’m thinking of the Rava based on what I’ve read here.
Which do you think is best and why ?

 

[Rich G]

I have not heard the Rava but read it is a great sub. I too have been considering it.

You may want to check out what SVS has up their sleeve with their new powered sub coming out.

Also, what is your budget for a sub?

 

[Al Moodie]

PSB Subsonic 5 is available at $350 / $375.

The Subsonic 6 at $525 / $550.

The Rava at $399 plus shipping but without our states 8.25% tax is closer to my budget but I'm trying to be certain that I make the right purchase.

 

[Dustin B]

Rava over the SubSonic5 would be a no brainer to me. I'm not entirely sure what the Subsonic6 would be capable of.

Lets put it this way though. The rule is there is no replacement for displacement when it comes to bass. The Rava uses a 12" driver called the Shiva, it is capable of 1.5L of displacement. If I put a Shiva in a bass reflex box that was 45L (the size of the SubSonic6) the minimum port diameter that could handle that much Vd would be a 3" flared (not just a round over, put a flare, like at the end of a trumpet) port. The lowest I could then tune the enclosure would be in the high 27-29hz range if I used the same dimensions as the SubSonic6. This tells me the SubSonic6 is tuned to around 30hz. If you learn a bit about sub design, you'll know that a 30hz tuning frequency is not very good for a sub. Also the Subsonic6 has a 130 watt amp, and the Rava has a 250watt amp.

After running those numbers, my conclusion would be that any possible advantage the bass reflex alignment would have presented the SubSonic6 over the Rava is pretty much shot with that high of a tuning frequency. The Shiva will very likely out Vd the driver in the SubSonic6, has more power and doesn't have a port tuning it to too high a frequency. I'd take the Rava, even if they were the same price.

 

[Al Moodie]

Dustin;

Thanks for your reply. You answered some of the questions I didn't know to ask. Unless others convince me differently I'll go with the Rava. Purchase is about 2 weeks off - will let you know how the HT comes together.

B regards.

 

[MoG]

Did you buy a Rava? Interested in comments if so.

 

[Al Moodie]

MoG,

Actually I didn't. My search began in December when I blew a driver on one of a pair of

ten year old Sumo tower speakers.

'Had really liked them but company is no longer in business

so rather than try to rescue them I "donated" them to a teenage nephew.

He had them up and seemingly playing fine in less than one week.

I had had them paired with a Denon

AVC-300 Por Logic amp originally bought for stereo.

The blown speaker gave a reason (WAF) to upgrade to 5.1

home theater.

Bought Axiom -

F/LR M22ti

Q4s for rear

and the VP150 center.

Have had these for perhaps 3 weeks hooked up to the AVC-3000.

Last week I bought a Denon 2802 and have

ordered the PSB Subsonic 5 which should be here

later this week.

Have moved very slow on the above (other commitments) and

probably won't have it all wired up before month's end.

Will let you know about the sub at that time.

I think the Axioms and the PSB sub will be OK for HT.

For Stereo I have 20 year old Infinity Quantum 3s -

4 ohms, 35 - 250 watts handling, 2 EMIT tweeters, dual

drive woofer, 3 crossover frequencies, separate controls

for midbass coupler, midrange and tweeters. And very good sound.

These are driven by all Yamaha separates.

The main unit is a Yamaha M-80 amp 250W / 300W / 330W @ 8 /6 /4 ohms.

T.H.D. is respectively .003 / .007 / .02

Overall I've been happy with the above for the past twenty years.

B regards,

Al Moodie

 

[Adam_Smith]

Al where did you find the sub6 for that price? I ahven't found it for less than 600

 

[Al Moodie]

Adam,

This is a copy of post I made 2 - 3 weeks back to a similar

question on the AVS ForumM

PSBs are available in Brick & Mortar (no need to use internet) for 20 / 25% off MSRP

without any hard bargaining.

I'm presently ordering Axioms this week but in 3 different West Coast stores I was

quoted between 10 and 25% off on PSBs.

Sample of best pricing (Without bargaining):

Image 3LR $375. Pr.

Image 8C $225.

Image 9C $320.

Image 10S $460. Pr.

Image 5T $600. Pr.

Subsonic 5 $350.

Subsonic 6 $500.

Above is US Dollars.

Todays date:

Above prices were quoted by a San Francisco retailer.

Two other area retailers (one without a showroom) came in at

around 5% over the above prices. When I did order the Subsonic 5

the final cost was $337.00 + Tax 26.96

Try talking these prices around....

Good Luck.

Al.