Subs that the sr. CP members currently use

[kingtut]

Just wondering the what make and model subwoofers that the senior members like Russman, Zero, Emlyn, etc. use -- with their vast audio knowledge and they keep on trying new gears. Just curious!

[Vr3MxStyler2k3]

I use a Bose Bass Module.

[kingtut]

Trey, so the SVS tube is just a masquerade. The REAL-DEAL is actually the Blose bass module inside the SVS tube that makes those sub 20 hz pounding bass? :D

[RuSsMaN]

Signet SP200 with the line arrays. 15" ported, 200w cont, remote gain / xover - low passed at 40Hz.

VMPS New Original in the 2ch video rig (RT7's). 12" active (megawoofer upgrade), 15" passive radiator. Paradigm X-30 sub controller passed at 60Hz, Crown PS400 bridged mono (560w/cont)

SDA SRS 2 rig - no sub

Sonus Faber Concerto rig - no sub

Cheers,
Senor Russ

[kingtut]

I knew Russman subs would be very impressive. The man has expensive and fine taste.

[RuSsMaN]

Paid $375 for the Signet.

Paid $250 for the VMPS, $100 for the controller, $250 for the amp.

Fine taste sure, I wouldn't go so far as to call it expensive. In the words of Kenny Rogers - you've got to know when to hold em....

Cheers,
Russ

[Zero]

At the moment. None.. other priorities knockin' at the door.

Russ - VMPS -- Larger nice. One of the only commercially available subs in its price class that can belt out over 120 DB at 20 hz with less than 10% harmonic distortion. The Space Shuttle simulator has a few of those things here by Langely AFB.

[kingtut]

Russ those are great prices. Only you can find them at those great prices.

[kingtut]

Sean, I know you won't go sub-less for long. You're one of the most active gears-changer on this forum.

[dorokusai]

SVS PB12/ISD - HT. If it creates an old, electric, football style boardgame in the upper level of your home, it's the perfect subwoofer.

SVS 25-31+ - 2CH. I run Magnepan, and they suck for bass...hence a little reinforcement. If I ran SDA's or a similar bass capable speaker, I would probably disco the subwoofer.

[shack]

I'm pretty old. Does that make me a senior? Right now I use a Dayton Titanic sealed sub in my HT. It is just ok for movies and it is JUST RIGHT when mated with my RT55is for 2.1 channel music from that rig. No sub with my SDA 1Cs, but I think about if from time to time. Maybe a SVS in the HT and move the Titanic with the SDAs....mmmmmm?

[TroyD]

No subs required at chez BDT

BDT

[kingtut]

Shack, doesn't matter how old you're. With +2500 posts, you're definitely a sr. member. Nice choice of sub for music.

[RuSsMaN]

SVS PB12/ISD - HT......SVS 25-31+ - 2CH.....

I'll take that 25-31 anyday of the week over the PB12, for music. That sub disappeared, and at the same time did what it was supposed to. Beautiful.

The PB12 was a side show at the state fair. A real plaster remover. GREAT for HT impact, but nothing to do with music or tone. Webster's has it listed under the definition 'overkill'.

Baby Arm.

[dorokusai]

I'll take that 25-31 anyday of the week over the PB12, for music. That sub disappeared, and at the same time did what it was supposed to. Beautiful.

The PB12 was a side show at the state fair. A real plaster remover. GREAT for HT impact, but nothing to do with music.

Baby Arm.

I completely agree, each one has a brutal or subtle purpose. I'm still giddy over the mental picture of you coming downstairs and yelling at me to turn that shit down, and then us being in a "tiff"....GOLD.

PS - I guess the musical side of a subwoofer finally dawned on me with your statement, as it never really made sense previously.

[ND13]

Mark, you had that sub set up perfectly with those maggies. I commend you for knowing how a sub is supposed to be used in a two channel system. Most run there subs way too hot, which is not natural and not the way the music was intended to be reproduced.
Like RuSs said, it disappeared.

[RuSsMaN]

I set it up. Mark placed it, I twisted knobs.

You're welcome, chatterbox. ;)

Cheers,
Russ

[fireshoes]

SVS CS Ultra with a plate amp from Parts Express.

[kingtut]

I'm not a sr. member, but I might as well state what I have:

Main system: Hsu VTF3 mkII
Bedroom system: Parts Express 10"

[ohskigod]

2 subs in the HT a DIY 142.5L ported box with a Adire audio shiva 12" driver (parts express 500Watt plate amp. Hsu STF2 as a rear sub.

no sub with the carver platinums in the 2 channel rig, or with the SDA 1B's in the gaming rig.

[ohskigod]

I'll second how well Mark's SVS was blended with his Maggies. when everyone and their mother in attendance has to ask if the Sub is even on, that pretty much tells you its well blended

[PolkThug]

Twin SVS PB10's stacked and corner loaded.

[HBombToo]

Dual SVS CS+ for HT and nothing for the tunes.

[PolkThug]

Dual SVS CS+ for HT and nothing for the tunes.

This is the most impressive sub setup I've heard so far. Henry's system will breathe for you.

[jdhdiggs]

I don't think I'm senior, but I'll add mine anyway:

SVS PB12+2 for HT
SVS PB12 Ultra to help the mags

[steveinaz]

I had an SVS 25-31+ in my 2-channel setup, but later sold it. Just couldn't get the reinforcement without the slight muddiness no matter how much I measured and fiddle farted around with it. I was extremely impressed with its performance though, if I ever did a monitor/sub setup, I'd definitely buy another SVS. I think it was maybe a little bass over-kill with tower mains.

Also, I have to admit it made movie watching extremely fun, just didn't care for it with music.

[HBombToo]

Henry's system will breathe for you.

Thanks Bud but you have to hear the SDA's in HT action!

[cfrizz]

PS - I guess the musical side of a subwoofer finally dawned on me with your statement, as it never really made sense previously.

Mark, it was clear to me when you played Hotel California for me on your system downstairs, that the sub is great for going BOOM, but for music it was just too much.

You kept trying to turn it down but it was just not enough.

So you can keep your "little refrigerator" for the action movies but its too much for anything musical.

[dorokusai]

I agree, but I was running it very hot...it was still on the high side when we changed over to music. I had it boosted for the demos, just to make people giggle, I don't run it that hot normally.

It blends a little better when it's at a lower volume, but that beast is essentially a HT only subwoofer.

The 2CH subwoofer works alot better and you heard that all day.

[AsSiMiLaTeD]

SVS 16-46 PCi for the HT system

[Emlyn]

Polk PSW-450 = not bad for what it was; not good either.

SVS PB2-ISD = massive overkill. Damn thing did structural damage to my house even when not running it hot in a home theatre setup. :D

SVS PB1-ISD = better balanced for my room, but sort of slow. Great for a home theater sound in a medium sized room though.

MB Quart Vera = a real keeper. On closeout from Audio Advisor for a good price. This has been the only subwoofer I've had that can keep pace with the smooth, quick response of SDA-1C's or the Jm lab speakers I'm using now. It's not ported. The style may be not be to everyone's taste, looks very "European" artsy, but I like it. Where the ISD drivers rumbled and vibrate the house like crazy, this one hits just as low when it matters for DVD's but is much more controlled.

SDA-SRS don't need a subwoofer. Neither do the Spendors in the smallish room they are in.

[faster100]

Never heard a svs tube, But want to... I would agree with Russ's comments.. The pb2 is "better" at HT.. I'm sure the cylinder would kick ass with music and with the single 12"... me wanntee one..

[hoosier21]

SR. CP member I guess,
I made a pair of DIY subwoofers.
Previous Subwoofers:
A pair VMPS larger subwoofer - GREAT subwoofers.
A single Vandersteen - very, very nice on music.
A single Paradign 2200 - it was nothing special

[Willow]

what makes a SR ......

[hoosier21]

what makes a SR ......

SR = Smartass Replying

[Willow]

So I don't count ;)

[kingtut]

what makes a SR ......

Loosely translated, members that have been here for at least two years and have over 500 posts, but what do I know?

[jdhdiggs]

Well, mine was a DR so, as HBOMB says WAREMTAE!!! It counts!!!

[MacLeod]

This is car audio but thought Id throw it in anyway. My MM2104 10" is the best sub Ive owned to date. Gets plenty low and is plenty tight for a 10. Powered by a Crossfire 2 channel bridged mono putting out near 400 watts. It was a bitch to build the box for it too but Im damn proud of it considering I suck as a carpenter.

[Mazeroth]

I think why the SVS in Mark's HT didn't sound as good as the one upstairs also has to do with what it was "blending" with...the Polk SurroundBar. That thing would be lucky to get down to 100hz, so in order to fill the gap that SVS would have to be turned waaay up. Mate it with some real speakers that can dig down into the 40-60hz range and you can blend it much easier, making it pretty much disappear.

[shack]

I heard Mark's SVS with the Maggies a few months ago and there was NO boominess and NO blending issues what-so-ever. He had it tuned perfectly to fill out the lower octaves for the Maggies (as it should). Don't know what you guys heard...somebody must have messed with it. ;)

[jdhdiggs]

He had the SVS set about 10-15 dB too hot (Guessing). My box SVS has no issues blending with the mags. He had it setup the same way BB or CC do: Boost they bass for a great demo, but poorer sound.

[RuSsMaN]

Shack, the cylinder SVS blended fine, it was the PB2 that just wouldn't dial in, for music.

Cheers,
Russ

[dorokusai]

Jdhdiggs - You just compared me to Best Buy and Circuit City? Fuck you and that's being nice. There was a reason it was hotter downstairs, it was just to have FUN. Sorry, I didn't disclose all pertinent information to you James. I'll just try and let it go.

The Eagles 5.1 Music demo was, I admit, simply still too hot from the other HT demos and I had to attend to some other things before I could drop it down into a more appropriate level. Again, sorry I couldn't accomodate you in every way and too everyone else, sorry that it wasn't perfect.

I dialed in everything the best I could given the extremely multi-faceted material that was playing ALL DAY, in various rooms, under various conditions....as in users. When the Magnepans came online, via SVS 25-31 PCi, my shit was straight.

Thanks for your honesty, but you will never have a freaking clue what it took to have ANY of this event happen.

Please feel free to rag on anything else that bothered you and I'll refund you your expenses.

Good day to you sir.

[TroyD]

I, for one, was actually quite impressed with how musical the sub was with the Maggies. Floored, actually. Other than Ken's RTR, I think that's probably what struck me the most.

I think both subs did exactly what was intended, what more could you want?

BDT

[shack]

I just wish I could have been there to hear the "new" Maggies and the SVS. The ones I heard were the previous Maggies.

[RuSsMaN]

What did the PB do?

It pressurized the room. It sent Troy and myself skating across the floor above in Polk Audio directors chairs like those little men on the vibrating metal football game, and made every tube in the house microphonic.

Great demo if you ask me - he had 15 people 'down there' who wanted to see what it could do. Mark pushed the envelope - if anyone thinks that was his norm, you are sorely mistaken.

That being said, anyone who thinks Mark just had an anurism - well, he might have. You tell a mofo that just turned his house upside down, re-arranged his gear, and spent tons of cash to host a gathering - that his shit sounded like Best Buy / Circuit City? Wow.

You might as well have kicked his dog, told him his wife was ugly, and made cracks about his mother. He probably would have reacted better. Mark is hardcore on this audio thing, don't forget that.

Cheers,
Russ

[TroyD]

Excellent point Russ.

I know I busted my ass for (as did Russ) Polkfest and I KNOW Mark worked ten times as hard as I did...so Russ makes a very salient point. Fine line between a critical observation and pooping on someone.

Far as the subs go, I'm man enough to admit that I need to reevaluate some of my previous opinions based on what Mark had going on. Tip of my cap, sir.

BDT

[Frank Z]

Sunfire True Sub EQ in the ht, 2 channel rig doesn't need one.

[ND13]

Well I for one would like to commend Mark on how he handled 40 or more audio junkies poking around all his gear. I'm not too sure I could have and I don't have the quality of gear he has. Well maybe a couple of pieces ;), but those came home with me through the generosity that he showed me. I also understood why he had the sub in his HT adjusted the way he did. I'm sure that as soon as everyone cleared out, that sub was put back to it's ideal level. I don't think Mark would have it any other way. I would have taken that Cary home with me if I'd had the scratch for it. Damn Beardog. :( :mad:

[gidrah]

I have a Yamaha YST-160. It works great with some speakers but not well with others. If I chop off the bottom it blends very well with the Altecs. If I x-over higher it sounds okay with the Polks (PRs are harder to X-over imho).

On my bedroom rig I plan on using the pair of Large Advents that are stands for the DQs. It's not really needed, but I'm gonna try it anyways. WTF they're there anyways and I have a spare 120hz XO.