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Really Confused for Sub Choice

#1
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1/29/08 at 8:45am
  • Joined: January 2008
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I am new to buying good quality home theater. I need advice to what subwoofer.

For Subs I have been considering the following:
1) Used Martin Logan Descent servo for $1,900
2) Axiom EP600 for $1,774
3) SVS PB13 Ultra for $1,700
4) B&W ASW750 for $1,700
5) Paradigm Servo 15 v2 for $2,600 (too expensive maybe)

The only ones that I have heard are the Martin Logan Descent and the B&W 750. The B&W didn't sound that great as it was very quiet, but I suspect it was the poor sound room. The Martin Logan was played in an open room for me and it was amazing; however it is used.

I will be building a custom room for home theater in my basement and I have not decided on the dimensions. Probably around 12X15. But remember I love too much bass, so size and overkill are not a problem.

Does anyone have the low down on what the best sub to buy is for the price? Any I have not mentioned? Should I get two $1,000 subs instead of one $2,000 sub?
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#2
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1/29/08 at 10:37am
  • Joined: August 2000
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

Out of the ones you listed, my choice would be SVS. Tom is a great sub designer and the engineer that designed the driver, Stephen Ponte, is world class.

Other retail sub makers you didn't consider are Epik Subwoofers, Elemental Designs, AV123 and Seaton Sound.

If you love bass and overkill is not a problem, why not build a sub? Do you have an adjoining room to your home theater like a closet or laundry room? That is a perfect place for an IB sub? Install four 18" drivers and power it with a pro amp and you will crush anything on your list for under $1,000. It just requires a little bit of work on your part.

-Robert
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#3
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1/29/08 at 2:01pm
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

Hi there,

Of all the options listed, the SVS PB13-Ultra will win hands-down in terms of air shifting ability and low distortion.

Another brand which Robert mentioned is AV123. They recently launched a subwoofer called the "MFW-15" which has been reviewed by Craigsub who is a member that frequents our sister forum, AVS. He ranked this subwoofer above the Velodyne DD-18 !

It scored greater output and musically, he and a panel of judges thought it was a better unit overall. This subwoofer only costs $599. You can buy two for $1k ! Two should approach or outperform the competition.

You can then spend the rest on a Velodyne SMS-1 parametric equalizer to correct the frequency response in your room. I think this combination will be extremely difficult to beat.

Just my 0.20 cents.

--Regards,
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#4
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1/29/08 at 2:38pm
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

Thank you very much guys! Right before I read your posts I stumbled onto the Craigsub reviews and I have been really interested in the eD 700 (with dual 15's) and the AV123 MFW-15.

Two MFW-15's would be cheaper ($1,200) than on eD A7-700 ($1600).

What would you guys choose if given these choices?
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#5
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1/29/08 at 4:13pm
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

I'd get three of the MFW-15's. I bet Mark would give you a discount so it would be similar in price to the ED sub. Also, Mark Seaton is the man who designed the MFW-15. Mark worked closely with Tom Danley of Danley Sound Labs, the creator of the world's largest subwoofer. Mark was also involved in setting up this recording studio. This guy knows his stuff.

Ben and crew at ED have been in the car audio business much longer than home audio. Their products are not as refined as some of the others listed. Not that they are bad. Do you want pure output or great output with the best possible sound quality.

You should seriously consider an IB. If you are already doing a custom room, it shouldn't be too difficult to implement. Here's one person's reaction to his new IB - link. That's $1,100 for 4 drivers and an amp. Probably $50 worth of wood. I spent $48 on the MDF for my quad 18" IB and had Home Depot cut it for me.

-Robert
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#6
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1/29/08 at 4:45pm
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

For that kind of cash, I'd have to say PB-13 Ultra also. I haven't heard the MFW-15 yet.

"The trouble with the world is not that people know too little, but that they know so many things that ain't so." - Mark Twain

HT: Marantz SR-8300, MA500 mono, Audiosource Amp300, 5X GR Research A/V-2s, Adire Audio Tempest sub, Oppo BDP-83, RC2000MkII, Panamax 5100, Panamax Max2 sub, PS3 60G (250G)...

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#7
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1/31/08 at 12:08pm
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

Thanks guys. I thought about it, and I chose to go with two MFW-15's in Moho veneer.

I like your idea Robert_J about getting three for a good deal, but I ordered right before I read your post. And I am not sure if 2 is overkill or not Mind you I can't get enough bass

Now I have to buy the rest of the speaker system that compliments these subs. I will have to do research about setting receiver fronts and center to "small" so that most bass goes to sub, but not buying too large of front speakers as there will not be any bass going to them anyways. How confusing!
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#8
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1/31/08 at 1:33pm
  • Joined: January 2008
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Re: Really Confused for Sub Choice

Thanks for all of the help guys. I thought about it and I purchased two MWF-15's in a Moho veneer.

I did not read your post earlier Robert_J as that may have tempted me to get 3. But maybe I will wait until I have tested these two in the room I will be building first before I get the third.

Now I have the task of picking out fronts/center/surrounds. This is difficult as the way you set your amplifier fronts to "small" or "large". I imagine there will be less bass send to sub if these are set to "large". But I need to choose speakers that cross-over with these subs now, so I think really compact satellites are out.

Any suggestions?
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