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Should I upgrade sub?

post #1 of 12
3/7/08 at 9:54am
Thread Starter 
I've recently upgraded my theater with a new Onkyo 805 receiver, Samsung DLP 1080P tv and Panasonic Blu-Ray player. My subwoofer is about 9 years old. It's a Klipsch KSW 100 Powered Subwoofer. I'm wondering how much of a difference it will make if I upgrade it to a THX certified unit? The current unit sounds great as far as I can tell but was wondering what difference a THX certified one would make? if any? Thanks for any input
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post #2 of 12
3/7/08 at 10:05am

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

THX certified or not, there are a lot more capable subs on the market today. What are your goals? More SPL (louder)? More extension (deeper bass)? Both? What is your budget? Do you have to have a sub with THX certification? Because there are many fine subs on the market that surpass the THX standards but don't want to pay George Lucas the fees to get certified. I think most of the SVS subs would easily pass THX tests. Everything from Epik Subwoofers would. Some of the offerings from AV123 and Elemental Designs would as well.

-Robert
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post #3 of 12
3/7/08 at 10:15am
Thread Starter 

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

I guess I'm not sure what my goals are. I can "feel" my current sub when it's running during a movie. It seems loud enough and has enough bass but perhaps I'm just not sure what I'm missing when compared with a newer, modern one? No, THX isn't required but thought it was a good place to start. My budget will probably be around $500 if I decided to upgrade.
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post #4 of 12
3/7/08 at 11:13am

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

Most important is the size of your room and if it opens to other rooms via hallways or stairs without doors. $500.00 is a decent starting point. Are Appearance or Size limitations an issue ? You may benefit from 2 smaller subs in a large space.
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post #5 of 12
3/7/08 at 1:20pm

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

If you don't have goals, it will be very difficult to suggest something. Do you know how your current sub performs in your room? Have you plotted the frequency reponse using test tones, a Radio Shack SPL meter and a spreadsheet? At least then we can see what you currently have.

As for the budget, $500 is a good starting point but to get the most for your money, you will not get THX certification and you will probably have to go internet direct. Most of the internet direct companies have a waiting list. For example, Elemental Designs has a 6 to 8 week wait on their subs. They are building them in Iowa as fast as possible but just can't keep up with demand. You can even read their owner's blog and see when each large shipment leaves the warehouse.

-Robert
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post #6 of 12
3/7/08 at 8:00pm
Thread Starter 

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

Thanks for all the info. Zone testing etc.. seems a bit beyond me. Was just hoping to get an idea of what kind of differences a newer subwoofer might make. My current setup is in a family room that is 18' X 14' and is open to a dinette/kitchen that is about 19' X 11'. It's a good size space. When I play movies the sub is easy to hear and feel so I guess I should be happy with it.
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post #7 of 12
3/7/08 at 8:14pm

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

thats a fairly large space so i would suggest 2 subs, experimenting with placement around the room. For $500 2 velodyne 10's or for a little more 2 velodyne DSP 12's (both on sale) would do nicely and be huge improvement over your current sub
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post #8 of 12
3/7/08 at 8:36pm

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

As someone who recently upgraded, let me tell you. If you have to ask whether or not you should upgrade, then the answer is "yes," upgrade.

John
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post #9 of 12
3/8/08 at 2:58am

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

Bill I would think with the size of room you have upgrading your sub would be as much of an improvement as going from 480i to 1080p. Give the guys a call at SVS and tell them your room dimensions and what you have been running. They will be able to fix you up with a sub that will work in your room and meets your budget. And they won't over sell you.

Parker
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post #10 of 12
3/8/08 at 7:14am

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

I'm going to disagree with mayhem about the 2 subs. If you think an SPL meter and test tone disc are too complicated, then optimizing a pair of subs will be as well.

Like Parker said, the guys at SVS will steer you right. But with your budget you are looking at their 10" offering. It's a great sub but too small for your room in my opinion. The ED A3-300 is right under your budget and comes with a 12" driver. And if you can stretch your budget $100, then this model from Epik would be amazing.

-Robert
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post #11 of 12
3/8/08 at 9:12am
Thread Starter 

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

Thanks so much for this info!! This is great! It certainly sounds like upgrading will be the right choice. I am going to talk to SVS and see what they recommend. I'm willing to be somewhat flexible with the budget as long as I end up with the right sub for my room.
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post #12 of 12
3/8/08 at 10:03am

Re: Should I upgrade sub?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Barrington
I'm willing to be somewhat flexible with the budget as long as I end up with the right sub for my room.
You can always turn too much sub down but you can only turn a small sub up so much. I'm a fan of overkill in the sub area. I want my bass deep and powerful. I currently run a pair of sealed 15's off a pro amp. I'm upgrading to quad 18's in an IB with a pro amp powering them. EQ is handled by a Behringer Feedback Destroyer. My calibration was done with a Radio Shack SPL meter and test tones. I'm currently gathering equipment to start running Room EQ Wizard on my PC and make EQ adjustments via MIDI controller. I plan on having multiple curves stored in the BFD memory. One for flat response, one for music and one for demo's. Extra bass is always more fun the first time someone sees my setup.

-Robert
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