lost in sub research

MaxL · 07-11-2006, 01:03 AM

i know the short answers are 1) i have to listen to them and 2) any sub will fill out the bottom end. i am putting together my first HT on a tight budget. i am also moving soon and not sure what my room will look like. so far i have a used marantz sr8000 ($200 w/ trade in of onkyo 2 channel and tuner) and psb alpha B's and C ($300), plus my old csw new ensemples for surrounds. so far i'm very happy with it. while i listen to lots of music it's mostly through my vintage sony and ar 2ax's for stereo (i love how this sounds and put a premium on warm, rich and full over accuracy or detail). The question is which way to go on the sub. i'm thinking small for a few reasons: price, space, and i'm not interested in truly shaking or breaking anything. what i do want is something that matches well with what i've got, can handle music nicely, and fills in the LFE without being boomy or muddy. i've read tons of reviews and am lost. here's what seem the most promising options:
athena p4000 @>$200
psb subseries 5i @$400
svs pb10 @$430
deftech prosub 80 @$350
hsu stf2 @$400
aperion s-8 @$280
the list could go on. any suggestions, comments are welcome. anything to stay away from on this list or to add to the list would be appreciated. i really don't think i could be any more confused than i am now. all things being equal i want to go cheaper, but if an extra $100-200 makes a huge difference i figure my enjoyment is worth it. what should i do? what would you do?

AlanZ · 07-11-2006, 01:50 AM

Max, if you can swing the four bills for the PB-10, you won't find better....not for movies, not for music, not for nuttin. No need to keep racking your brain...

SethH · 07-11-2006, 04:45 AM

I agree that the SVS PB-10 is the way to go. If you want another less expensive option the Acoustech H-100 is a very good sub as well.

MaRtIn^dB · 07-11-2006, 05:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaxL

i know the short answers are 1) i have to listen to them and 2) any sub will fill out the bottom end. i am putting together my first HT on a tight budget. i am also moving soon and not sure what my room will look like. so far i have a used marantz sr8000 ($200 w/ trade in of onkyo 2 channel and tuner) and psb alpha B's and C ($300), plus my old csw new ensemples for surrounds. so far i'm very happy with it. while i listen to lots of music it's mostly through my vintage sony and ar 2ax's for stereo (i love how this sounds and put a premium on warm, rich and full over accuracy or detail). The question is which way to go on the sub. i'm thinking small for a few reasons: price, space, and i'm not interested in truly shaking or breaking anything. what i do want is something that matches well with what i've got, can handle music nicely, and fills in the LFE without being boomy or muddy. i've read tons of reviews and am lost. here's what seem the most promising options:
athena p4000 @>$200
psb subseries 5i @$400
svs pb10 @$430
deftech prosub 80 @$350
hsu stf2 @$400
aperion s-8 @$280
the list could go on. any suggestions, comments are welcome. anything to stay away from on this list or to add to the list would be appreciated. i really don't think i could be any more confused than i am now. all things being equal i want to go cheaper, but if an extra $100-200 makes a huge difference i figure my enjoyment is worth it. what should i do? what would you do?

I concur with the previous posters...hands down!...you'll be doing yourself a disservice by not "seriously" considering the SVS Pb-10...I'm assuming you are looking at a 10" or 8" driver...the SVS is the only way to go at this price range and is the most cost effective 10" vented solution commercially offered...bar none. Good luck with your selection.

BrianTwig · 07-11-2006, 08:10 AM

Well, I gotta add my voice here. Without question go with the SVS PB10.

As the proud owner of an SVS PB12-NSD/2, bought unseen and unheard on the recommendation of others, I can honestly say it was the single greatest audio purchase of my life. Bar none.

**HTF Ads**

BrianTwig · 07-11-2006, 08:10 AM

Well, I gotta add my voice here. Without question go with the SVS PB10.

As the proud owner of an SVS PB12-NSD/2, bought unseen and unheard on the recommendation of others, I can honestly say it was the single greatest audio purchase of my life. Bar none.

John Garcia · 07-11-2006, 12:12 PM

Max, how big is your room?

LanceJ · 07-11-2006, 03:32 PM

Max: make sure you listen to the SOUND of whatever sub your auditioning. SPL numbers and bass extension specs only tell part of the story. I've heard plenty of subs that "hit hard" and go very low but (for example) they sounded sterile and uninvolving. While another sub that didn't do as well on the test bench sounded more realistic, richer and well, just more fun to listen to.

I tend to be about 90% objectivist when it comes to choosing audio gear, but with speakers and subwoofers, that drops to about 50%: there are just too many variables involved in speaker design/construction to rely strictly on numbers to base a buying decision on (i.e. woofer materials, amp design, enclosure design and how all these things interact to finally produce the sound you hear >>> synergy).

FYI: the fact that you own those particular ARs will give you a great reference point as far as what good bass is all about.

MaxL · 07-11-2006, 10:55 PM

like i said i'm moving so i'm not sure about the room. but most likely, it will be in a large room about 20x20 with a high ceiling maybe 20' at its peak.

so far the svs is the hands down IMO winner. anyone know if there are any decent acoustic suspention subs in this price range? i might be able to get my hands on a used M&K v125 thx for $350. worth a listen?

John Garcia · 07-12-2006, 08:59 AM

My room is 19x20 with high vaulted celing and the PB-10 did fairly well, but you may find yourself wanting a bit more over time. For a room that size, I might recommend stepping up to a 25-31PCi. The PB-10 will still be the best of those you listed, IMO

When I asked them how to improve my sound in a room that size, SVS's recommendation was to add another PB-10 or move up to something like a Plus or PB-12/2.