sub recommendations

Neil Winslow · 07-24-2003, 04:05 PM

I am by no means an audiophile, but I do have some ear for sound.I currently have a Klipsch RSW-10 (R remember, not K) and am running it on a Sony STR-DA1ES. My main speakers are some old HH Scotts (S196), their last good ones before they went overseas and sold themselves to the devil's bad quality. They are 3 ways, with a 12 in woofer and a 2 inch voicecoil and sound great especially for their age. My problem is that I got them after I had the Klipsch and by themselves the Scotts hit deeper and a tad cleaner. However they lack the projection of the Klipsch and when I turn it's volume down to match there just seems to be a hole under 35 hz. I am in the unfortunate class of people who can hear extremely low and when I am missing parts of music or sound effects I feel like something is, well, missing. What kind of sub should I upgrade to? I have heard great things about the Hsu VTF-3 and it would appear to better satisfy my need for something good down to 20 hz, but is there something better or cheaper? Or should I just fix up my Scotts at the hi-fi repair shop in town that does custom speaker repair and builds custom speakers?

Mark.Morris · 07-24-2003, 04:09 PM

Try SVS. I have one and it's outstanding. I did a lot of research before buying and one review compared the HSU VTF-3 to the SVS 25-30PCi they said the SVS was equal to the HSU but lower in price. So, the edge went to SVS. You won't be disapointed.

Lew Crippen · 07-24-2003, 04:18 PM

What is your budget Neil?

CurtisSC · 07-24-2003, 04:26 PM

Hsu and SVS both make great subs.

I think that review that Mark is talking about also said the Hsu was more accurate. The VTF-3 can also get deeper than the 25-30PCi....although SVS does have models that compete with the VTF-3 very well....they have a broader product line.

Hsu is also coming out with a low cost line of subs with excellent performance. I think SVS is also planning the same thing.

You won't go wrong with either.

Neil Winslow · 07-24-2003, 05:21 PM

My budget is around $800. I know it's not much for a sub that can hit real low, but I was thinking of selling my Klipsch for around $500. That, I am hoping, will cover a little more than half the price of the sub, or perhaps I shall just have to wait. I have also heard NHT was good.

**HTF Ads**

Lew Crippen · 07-24-2003, 05:28 PM

In that price range both Hsu and SVS have good offerings. Adire makes a ported model in that price range as well—I’ve not heard it, but it has had good reviews.

At $600 the new Rocket UFW-10 might be a choice—it is rated at plus/minus 2db down to 22hz. It would not fill as large a room as the VTF-3, so you would need to consider your room size. I’ve heard this and it will be a fine value for the right room.

CurtisSC · 07-24-2003, 05:39 PM

Neil,

At $800 you can get nice subs from Hsu, SVS, and Adire that will hit pretty low and sound great.

The Rocket UFW subs sound promising too.

Martice · 07-24-2003, 06:05 PM

Hi Neil, If you have $800.00 to spend you should also pay Kyle at Acoustic Visions a visit. I've bought a couple of subs from him and they were definitely great performers. I currently have a Stryke AV15 based sub and it is the best sub that I've owned. If you are big on custom finishes and world class performance, then a custom is another way to go.

Check out the choices:

Custom Sub Prices

Neil Winslow · 07-24-2003, 11:15 PM

Thanks for all the advice guys! You make me feel like family, (sniff)...
Seriously, don't Hsu's need some sort of equalizer or something like that to get the response just right?

CurtisSC · 07-24-2003, 11:23 PM

Quote:

Seriously, don't Hsu's need some sort of equalizer or something like that to get the response just right?

You have been reading into too much of the other thread.

In any room, a sub is going to need something to get a flat response.

Like all the subs listed, Hsu subs are excellent, they do not need anything extra.