Updated NOUSAINE subwoofer data list. (1 Viewer)

[Tom Vodhanel]

Added some,tweaked others.
Two interesting notes...
1) TN just(re)reviewed the ASW1000. This time, it's performance was barely average. I aksed him about the large differences between the 1st and the 2nd reviews(which were a couple years apart). TN replied it was either a QC issue(quality control on BW's part)...or a "decontent" of the subwoofer issue(specifically the driver). In other words --- BW has *decontented* (downgraded) the ASW1000 without mentioning this to the consumer.
Buyer Beware...
2) The parenthesis to the far right of some of the model lines indicate a data manipulation I've performed on my own. I basically eliminated the 63hz consideration from the data...so they figure in the parenthesis will reflect a 25-50hz(25,31,40,50hz) average. I performed this with all of the models that I had accurate 63hz output for.
Reason? Because almost any subwoofer can play loudly at 63hz. And some play SO loudly, that the 63hz figure can distort the overall output(avg) across the lower frequencies. For example...if subwoofer *X* hit...
25hz-95dB
31hz 100dB
40hz 105dB
50hz 110dB
63hz 115dB
the *AVG* = 105dB. This seems pretty good...until we look a little closer and see the 63hz output is 20dBs higher than
the 25hz output!
Unfortunately, this is very typical of most commercial subwoofers. Anyway...have fun...
TV
-------------------------------
All figures are for a corner loaded subwoofer, 2 meter mic distance,10% distortion limit,and the SPLs have been averaged from the maximum output at 1/3 spacing at 25/31/40/50/63hz.
VELODYNE F1800 - 112dB / 16hz~102dB__ 20hz~106dB
KLIPSCH KSW300 - 109dB / 25hz~92dB (107.25)
MISSION 700as - 108.1 / 25hz~102dB(106.8)
BW asw1000 - 107.9dB / 25hz~96dB
BW asw1000 *review #2* -101.9dB /20hz~71dB__25hz~84dB(99.9)
VELODYNE FSR15 - 107.8 / 20hz~102dB__25hz~105dB
Paradigm PW2200 - 107.4dB / 20hz~91dB(106.25)
Paradigm Servo15 - 107.3dB /21hz
HSU RESEARCH VTF-2 - 107.1 / 20hz~93dB(106)
HSU RESEARCH TN25(w/250w) - 107.1dB / 25hz~96dB *(106)
BW asw2000 - 107dB /29hz limit-no SPL given(105.25)
Cerwin Vega cvt300s - 107dB / 16hz~80db__20hz~92dB(106)
Cerwin Vega LW12 - 106dB / 20hz~89dB(103.4)
POLK 650 -105.9dB / 25hz~90dB(103.55)
VELODYNE ct150 - 105.3dB / 20hz~82dB(103.875)
JBL D112 - 105.2dB / 25hz~95dB
KLIPSCH KSW12 - 104.9dB / 25hz~90dB(102.4)
Boston Acoustics PV800 - 104.4 / 20hz~85dB(103dB)
PSB subsonic 3i - 104dB /28hz limit-no SPL given(101.25)
Phase Technology PC500(towers) - 103.6dB
Sound Dynamics rts1200 - 102.1dB /25hz~92dB(100.125)
VELODYNE VA1012 - 102dB / 29hz-no SPL given.(101.25)
ENERGY ES12xl - 101dB /28hz-no SPL given(99.75)
VELODYNE ct120 - 101dB / 20hz~87dB(99.75)
MK - mx105 -100.6dB / 25hz~86dB
ATLANTIC TECH 272 PBM - 100.5dB/ 20hz~85dB(99.375)
INFINITY hps250 - 100.2dB / 25hz~82dB(98.25)
SUNFIRE Jr. - 100dB/25hz~95dB(97.5)
VELODYNE FSR12 - 99.7dB / 20hz~94dB
POLK RMDS-1 - 98.6dB / 25hz- 77dB(96.25)
VELODYNE FSR10 - 98.4dB / 20hz~92dB
Paradigm PDR10 - 98dB / 25hz - no SPL given(95.25)
MIRAGE frx s10 - 97dB / 25hz~84dB
JAMO sw505 - 97dB
Klispch KSW10 - 96.9dB / 25hz~85dB(94.875)
TANNOY PS110 - 96.8dB / 20hz~71dB__25hz~84dB(99.9)
CANTON AS25 - 96.8dB / 25hz~80dB(94.875)
Atlantic technology 4.5 - 96dB / 25hz~82dB(93.5)
MK V-1250thx - 96dB / 25hz~86dB
Paradigm 90P(towers) - 95dB / 20hz - no SPL given
ACI titan - 96dB / 25hz~80dB(93.5)
Aura Lss-107A - 95.2dB / 25hz~73dB
Celestion cswII - 95dB / 25hz~78dB
ENERGY Encore8 -94.4dB / 25hz~78dB(92.3)
ENERGY XL8 - 94dB / 25hz~78dB
POLK PS-120 - 94dB / 32hz -no SPL given
Wharfedale Modus - 93.1dB
DEF TECH BP2002TL Tower - 92.3dB / 25hz ~80dB (single tower)
Cerwin Vega hts15 - 89dB (107 from 40-100hz) / 39hz
DEF TECH Pro Tower400 - 89dB / 25hz~81dB (single tower)
-----------the following use a 25-50hz range----------
Boston Acoustics VR2000 -109dB
Hsu Research 12V (150w) -106.5dB / 25hz - no SPL given
Cerwin Vega HT-PWR12 -105.9dB / 25hz - no SPL given
BW asw800 -105.1dB / 26hz - no SPL given
Klipsch SW12 series2 -104.6dB ~(32-50hz) / 32hz - no SPL given
ADS ms3 -104dB
Phase Technology 1.0 Octave -103.3dB / 25hz -no SPL given
Velodyne VA-1215x -102.6dB / 25hz - no SPL given
BAGEND 18" -102.5dB *
MK MX-125 101.8 - dB / 25hz - no SPL given
TRIAD Silver - 100.2dB / 25hz - no SPL given
PBS Subsonic III - 100.1dB / 25hz - no SPL given
SUNFIRE

 

[Bob_M]

TV,
Thanks for all the work on this list. One question, couldn't we merge you second set of subs with the first since you eliminated the 63Hz number on the first?
Bob

 

[Ned]

Tom-
where would you say is the cutoff for what you would deem acceptable performance? Only the top 5 seem to perform well at all, the rest seem like a bunch of overpriced, under-performing crap. No offense to the other owners, I myself have a definitive tech pf1500 that is adequate at best :

 

[Drew Bethel]

TV, very informative and eye opening data! One question, how is the 10% limit distortion test accomplished?

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

>>>TV,
Thanks for all the work on this list. One question, couldn't we merge you second set of subs with the first since you eliminated the 63Hz number on the first?
Bob>Tom-
where would you say is the cutoff for what you would deem acceptable performance?

 

[Drew Bethel]

TV, I think you missed my question above. But one more, the ct120 is louder than the 150 at 20hz??? How could this be?

 

[Arthur S]

I sent Ron Epstein a note asking that this list be made one of the Harware Archives. Is there anyone else who thinks this would be a good thing to do? If so, perhaps expressing your support in this thread will help it to happen. Artie.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

>>>TV, very informative and eye opening data! One question, how is the 10% limit distortion test accomplished?

 

[Joe_Jensen]

TV,
Any test data on the new Aerial sub?...joe

 

[Bob_M]

Hey TV,
Yes it is a long way from SMR. I still think there may be more to subs than low, loud and clean but I enjoy your data and understand it's importance. Thanks for the welcome.
Bob

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

>>>But one more, the ct120 is louder than the 150 at 20hz??? How could this be?>
TV,
Any test data on the new Aerial sub?...joe>>but I enjoy your data and understand it's importance. Thanks for the welcome.
Bob

 

[Drew Bethel]

TV, do you think 10% distortion limit for TN's tests is a little to strict? Especially for movies...10% might be okay for music...IMO.

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

>>>TV, do you think 10% distortion limit for TN's tests is a little to strict? Especially for movies...10% might be okay for music...IMO.

 

[Bob_M]

TV

Oh yes I remember that one. All kidding aside there is some good stuff of there. For example they just put an article entitled "Blowing the Lid off...Home theater Receivers". This article takes a look at the build quality of 3 or 4 receivers from the inside.
http://smr-home-theatre.org/blowing
So which sub or subs at the top of the list do you like? Any favorites?
Bob

 

[Seungsoo Hwang]

Does Stan "the man" have a website where his beast can be seen at?

 

[Tom Vodhanel]

>>>So which sub or subs at the top of the list do you like? Any favorites?Does Stan "the man" have a website where his beast can be seen at?

 

[Roger Clark]

Tom,
================================================== =========
"The VELS use a 8:1 *compression ratio*(which would be good for a blown RAT on pump gas---but not for your sub!)..."
================================================== =========
Geez, you're cracking me up big time, I haven't heard that phrase in at least 25 years. Don't tell me you are/were into hot rods too!!! No wonder you like low loud sounds so much!
Great data, printing that one out...
Roger

 

[Parker Clack]

I am going to archive this thread in the Hardware Archives.
Parker