Small yet deep sub?

[EM3]

Ok I talked the wife into letting me purchase new speakers and a new subwoofer. Yeah for me. Now I have ran into a problem with the subwoofer. Most of the ones I am looking at like the SVS 20-39PCi and the 25-31 PCI take up a lot of room. I have also measured for a HSU VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer and it may fit but if it doesn't I am going to start looking for a smaller sub that can go as low as these. Does anyone make anything smaller that can match these offerings for $600 or am I dreaming? Oh yeah I watch about 75% movies. Oh yeah the room is about 12ft wide and 16 feet long with 8ft ceilings.

["The Dude"]

Have you looked into Definitive Technology SuperCubes? I don't know what their prices are as of late, but they're really small and from what I remember, they hit pretty hard. I don't know what everyone else thinks of Definitives, but I have 2 15" TLP+'s and I love them. Definately gutt wrenching.

[Iguana Man]

I personally don't buy into the super-small-cube=big sound gig.

You want low end, get big. At least 10".

I've never understood how a little 6 or 8" driver can make the low end that raises your eyebrows into that "Woah....that kicked ass" feeling.

I ain't trying to be snobbish or some kind of authority on subs, but think about it. You need to move air. You need a powerfull amp to do so quickly and effeciently. Sorry, but IMO a real sub has to be at least 10" and have a decent amp behind it just for starters.

Not to say a 8" sub vs. NO sub can't make a difference. However, a sub to me is the keystone finalizing your movie experience speaker-wise and for me, extra $$ should be saved and spent on it.

[firestorm]

I'm kinda with Iggy on this one... like some say in the automotive world, there's no replacement for displacement. I've heard some good things about some smaller subs, but never anything great. At any rate, there is definately a compromise with smaller subs.

If you haven't already, I'd look into some subs that utilize a sealed enclosure. Sealed subs are smaller than vented/ported subs; often considerably smaller. My sub is a DIY, but fairly represents what's out there. It's about 19"H x 19"W x 18"D. If I built a vented cabinet for it, that cab would easily be twice that size.

Vented subs are flatter down to where the port is tuned (frequecy), which generally means more output at their lowest capable frequecy. i.e. If a port is tuned for 20Hz, it would have a flatter curve down to 20Hz vs the setup in a sealed cab, but it would fall steeply below that (virtually no output below 20Hz). With my sub in particular, according to modeling software, my sub is a good 6db quieter at 20Hz vs. an 18Hz tuned design in a 6cu.ft. cab. Not a bad compromise for me. The better the sub, the less the compromise will be. If you get into Active Servo subs, such as some popular Velodyne models, the response curve often rivals that of ported subs, with the added benefit of having no lower limit imposed by the tune of a port.

If budget is a concern, Rythmik Audio has Active Servo kits in both 12" and 15" varieties. If you can build a cabinet (or have a cabinet builder, even a kitchen cabinet builder), you could put together one heck of a killer sub. This is where I'm headed next. Their 12" kit would beat the pants off my 15", and in a 1.5cu.ft. cab vs my 2.48cu.ft cab.

BTW, what exactly is the limiting factor (or factors)? If you have a specific location in mind, you might already have one compromise. The best place is rarely where you want it.

[chipmac]

I'm curious as to how small you need to go. The SVS cylinders you mentioned are ideal for small areas. Sure they're big as far as height is concerned, but they're only 16" in diameter. A box sub smaller than that just can't compete IMO.

[Ruined]

Originally Posted by EM3

Ok I talked the wife into letting me purchase new speakers and a new subwoofer. Yeah for me. Now I have ran into a problem with the subwoofer. Most of the ones I am looking at like the SVS 20-39PCi and the 25-31 PCI take up a lot of room. I have also measured for a HSU VTF-2 MK 3 Subwoofer and it may fit but if it doesn't I am going to start looking for a smaller sub that can go as low as these. Does anyone make anything smaller that can match these offerings for $600 or am I dreaming? Oh yeah I watch about 75% movies. Oh yeah the room is about 12ft wide and 16 feet long with 8ft ceilings.

http://www.velodyne.com/velodyne/pro...uct.aspx?ID=13

[EM3]

Well size seems to be the limiting factor. I had set my budget at $600 also. I had my heart set on this http://www.hsuresearch.com/products/vtf-2-mk3.html but it appears to be too big. The SVS subs are too tall I think. I am going to have to double check. I did find this Velodyne http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Velod...oductDetail.do Any thoughts?

["The Dude"]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I personally don't buy into the super-small-cube=big sound gig.

You want low end, get big. At least 10".

I've never understood how a little 6 or 8" driver can make the low end that raises your eyebrows into that "Woah....that kicked ass" feeling.

I ain't trying to be snobbish or some kind of authority on subs, but think about it. You need to move air. You need a powerfull amp to do so quickly and effeciently. Sorry, but IMO a real sub has to be at least 10" and have a decent amp behind it just for starters.

Not to say a 8" sub vs. NO sub can't make a difference. However, a sub to me is the keystone finalizing your movie experience speaker-wise and for me, extra $$ should be saved and spent on it.

You're such a snob!

I hear ya Iggy and agree totally, I was just throwing out suggestions for his space issue. I've got out of the sub market years ago after picking up my pair of 15" defs.

[chlngr1970]

YST SW160 - With dual 8" drivers and a 150W amp, I am QUITE happy with my pair

I doubt you could find them today, but...aledgedly, the YST-SW225 is capable of 28hz Looks like it can be had for about $250 on line. So, a pair of them would probably fill the bill...

j

[zepplongfellow]

SVS has there Small Box SB12 plus listed in there B-Stock at $650. It goes on to 22hz. It is 15"x14"x14". It is quite smaller than the HSU.

[EM3]

Thanjs Zeppy but I want one in black. I hate to break continuity.

I was wondering how low does everyones subs reach?

I auditionind this one for a few minutes

http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Speci...cation.do#tabs

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by EM3

Thanjs Zeppy but I want one in black. I hate to break continuity.

I was wondering how low does everyones subs reach?

Check his link again. It's the 2nd item down. Black.

[zepplongfellow]

My SVS Pb-10 list I think at 20hz but my in room is 18.

[chipmac]

Originally Posted by zepplongfellow

My SVS Pb-10 list I think at 20hz but my in room is 18.

Mine too. Great isn't it.

[EM3]

Well this purchase may be put on hold. The friggin roof is leaking. Depending on how much it costs to fix it I may have to wait.

[sub780lime]

Tarps are cheap. Buy Subs.

[Iguana Man]

EM3, in all seriousness, take care of the roof. The last thing you want is this.

It is my firm belief that very mold I linked advanced the sudden death of my father. It also cost 15K to get rid of it (not counting the amount of money lost in the sale of an essentially gutted home), and while his house had it in advanced stages, it is a serious issue nonetheless.

Fuck the sub. Fix the roof.

[EM3]

Jesus! Man that's some scarry shit!

Well the house comes first. I demand it. Hell man it's been 3 years since I got my HTiB so I think the Sub can wait a little longer

[Pirate]

Originally Posted by Iguana Man

I personally don't buy into the super-small-cube=big sound gig.

You've not heard Martin Logans.

That tiny sub floored me!

[Iguana Man]

Originally Posted by piratehunter

You've not heard Martin Logans.

That tiny sub floored me!

You are correct. I haven't heard a ML sub. I did however SEE a Sunfire Supercube bounce around on the floor while trying to match the output in the same room as the Velo I ended up with.

Hey man, to each there own.