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View Full Version : Finally picked out a Sub.


mantis
06-01-2006, 05:40 PM
Over the years, I have been way into Rel subwoofers. No suprise around here as most of you already know that. I also have been using Rel as my Standard to judge all other sub's. I found a few I really liked but I couldn't decide what to do. I was just going to buy the Rel Storm III in black but the Martin Logan Decent and the Dynaudio Sub 500 peaked my intrest.

The Martin logan almost came home with me. It is truely an exceptional sounding and performing subwoofer. Actually I have much respect for there entire line of subs and they only been building subs for a few years. I was so close.

The sub that came home with me is the Dynaudio Sub 500. It's a remarkable sounding subwoofer. I call it a subwoofer as it can play to and lower then 20hz. It actually goes to 18 with high pressure ability. It's crazy quick and very musical. Musical subs are my standard. Most subwoofers can't play music for crap. I hate nothing more then a boomy pressured sounding sub woofer. This is to me even annoying for movie play back.

The Dynaudio Sub 500 is killer. It has balanced inputs and outputs(which my Rotel gear can't use)there are no setting on the sub except 2 switches which are input function and preset settings. It can be the master or slave in a chain of sub's if you require more then one sub.Everything else is controlled by the credit card remote. It has discrete power on and off if you want total control, Phase, deep extention and 4 preset setting for different setups if you so choose to do so. Also the crossover can be used if your not going to send LFE to it. Very cool abilities, one of the selling features for me.I also really like the high quality built quality. The front is raised up like the Confidence series or the new Contour series. Nice guys nice.

This sub disappears in the room. I had to so many times go up to it and make sure it was playing. Right out of the box, it's sounded great, well what it added to my overall performance of my system.

I played some Cd's to give it some break in time. I have had it on for a total of over 100 hours now. I let it play while I clean the house, when I'm using the system at lower volumes, etc. So I felt I could really give it a good trail run. I played Cd's from Al Di Meola, Steely Dan, even played some heavy metal stuff in Nevermore, Metallica, and some Nickelback. I'm so sadified with it's Musical performance. It's exaclty what I have been waiting for.I also tried running my mains for 2 channel in small with a crossover setting at 40hz, this seems to work better then large with the sub added in. I have to do more playing around with it but I think this is going to be the setup. I love it.

Movies was the same result, Star Wars never sounded better in my room. My main speakers hit very hard and very low but nothing like this Sub. I actually now run my main in small for music play back. The Rotel Rsp1068 preamp allows for different setups depending on what your doing. I set the crossover for the mains at 40hz, the center and rears at 60hz for movie playback. It rocks man, the damn floor shakes and I can't hear the sub. I love it. I makes me laugh in enjoyment.

I also think the Rotel RMB1095 likes the small speaker settings better then the large settings.It maybe me but I think the system sound much more dynamic with the small setting due to the amp doesn't have to puch the lower Hz's.

I'm very happy with it and it fits in perfectly with the rest of my Dynaudio speakers. I have the Audience 82 mains, 122C center channel on the Dynaudio Center base, and 2 pairs of 42w rears, one pair isn't connected as they are for the theater room which is finally going under construction this summer.

http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Dmantis/HPIM1194.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Dmantis/HPIM1190.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Dmantis/HPIM1188.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Dmantis/HPIM1187.jpg
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h227/Dmantis/HPIM1189.jpg

Dan

Loud & Clear
06-01-2006, 06:03 PM
Awesome system there. I have no doubt that you're getting great sound in every respect.

Nevermore, Al D. and Steely Dan: love all three.

wingnut4772
06-01-2006, 06:07 PM
Glad you are happy. I have read nothing but good things about Dynaudio.

Schris22
06-01-2006, 07:17 PM
Clean looking set up!

How much does that system cost? I have no idea about dynaudio pricing.

Chris

RuSsMaN
06-01-2006, 07:39 PM
Neato.

Early B.
06-01-2006, 08:05 PM
That's great to hear.

Someday I'd like to purchase a musical sub. I can add this one to a short list of subs out there.

mantis
06-01-2006, 08:53 PM
Clean looking set up!

How much does that system cost? I have no idea about dynaudio pricing.

Chris

Well there not cheap. The Sub500 goes for 1999.99.My total speaker package retial cost is 7649.00. thats a full 7.1 speaker package consisted of the Audience 82's,122c center, 2 pairs of 42w rears and the Sub500.

I have there entry level line. They have speakers that cost up to 85,000.00 and they are worth it. If I had that kind of cash, I would own them.

Thanks for the comments,

Dan

mantis
06-01-2006, 08:58 PM
That's great to hear.

Someday I'd like to purchase a musical sub. I can add this one to a short list of subs out there.

The 3 not insane price musical subs I have fond are Martin Logan subs, pick one, Rel subs, pick one and also Dynaudio subs again pick one. Many others I find not so musical.

The kicker is funny, Velodyne used to make really nice musical subs. There older Series sounded great. These newer Digital drive series are very nice, they almost are musical but they have that pushed over driven sound to them and I hate it. I tried my best to get the DD12 to sound musical. I almost got it but I couldn't get rid of the thumping it lies to do. Even in the middle of the room, it thumbs with no sidewall for a boost. I like the Velodyne DD series built quality, I love the Mic it comes with along with the setup software built in, and there have been times where I got them to sound really good with just a hint of Thump. If I could make suggestions to Velodyne, I would tell them to make there subs more like the older series with all the new Improvements, If that happened, I would own one. they are right there.

Dan

faster100
06-01-2006, 09:14 PM
Did any of us think you would have bought anything less then the latest/greatest and popular most high dollar sub.. :D Nice looking sub :)

mantis
06-05-2006, 10:00 PM
I'm starting to think that running my system in all small is the way to go.This sub is so quick and clean, I can't see no other reason then to use it all the time.2 channel is incredible with it. Damn she is tight...LOL

Anyway I'm running my mains in small with 2 channel crossed at 60hz now. I had them at 40hz but I think I like it better at 60hz.More playing around will yield the best setup but for now I'm having a blast.

O I also moved the sub to the corner about 6 inches away from the side wall and 4 inches from the back wall. I recalibrated it and I'm trying this placement.

Dan

schwarcw
06-06-2006, 12:22 AM
Really nice Dan! Congrats on the system! You have some first class gear there!:)

polkatese
06-06-2006, 12:53 AM
Congrats. Dan! A complete transformation to the Dyn! I was about to ask you if you've heard the new REL R series. It looks nice, but definitely in a different class by itself, I don't know how it sounds.

I went to a Tweeter in San Diego last week, it seems they have change the product line quite a bit. Plasma/FP seems to be the main focus now. No B&K, REL, nor Sumiko products. What a shame. My regular Tweeter was shutdown a year or so ago. If I got to do it again, I would actually buy another REL, instead of the Velodyne DD, mainly because of the blending that it offers. Especially now that Velodyne sell SMS EQ separately. I found Velo DD is great for HT, not so much for music, or may be because I am spoiled by the REL's ability to blend in so nicely, with ANY speakers. Anyway, I am rambling, Enjoy!

dorokusai
06-06-2006, 12:56 AM
I find it more amazing that you bought a non-Tweeter subwoofer, but the ends justify the means. That's a very nice subwoofer, let alone a very nice speaker selection, have fun!

mantis
06-06-2006, 07:40 AM
Congrats. Dan! A complete transformation to the Dyn! I was about to ask you if you've heard the new REL R series. It looks nice, but definitely in a different class by itself, I don't know how it sounds.

I went to a Tweeter in San Diego last week, it seems they have change the product line quite a bit. Plasma/FP seems to be the main focus now. No B&K, REL, nor Sumiko products. What a shame. My regular Tweeter was shutdown a year or so ago. If I got to do it again, I would actually buy another REL, instead of the Velodyne DD, mainly because of the blending that it offers. Especially now that Velodyne sell SMS EQ separately. I found Velo DD is great for HT, not so much for music, or may be because I am spoiled by the REL's ability to blend in so nicely, with ANY speakers. Anyway, I am rambling, Enjoy!

It's a shame as Velodyne's older models sound better for music then the newer ones do. It's like they went in a different direction.But with alot of time and patience, you can get the theater ability out of the DD series, I got one to sound prety good with music but nothing like the Rels.The rel's are very hard to beat for musical ability.Tweeter did go away from Sumiko and B&K. I miss all those products.

Dan

mantis
06-06-2006, 07:43 AM
I find it more amazing that you bought a non-Tweeter subwoofer, but the ends justify the means. That's a very nice subwoofer, let alone a very nice speaker selection, have fun!

I almost got a Martin Logan Decent.Thats sub is amazing.It's built quality and performance is top notch. The Dyn sub I heard it with Dyn speakers and Rotel gear when I demo'd it so it was like having my system at the store. I really liked the way it performed. I would have to buy the Martin Logan sub and hope it blended in as good or better then the Sub500 from Dynaudio.For the kind of money I was spending on a sub, I didn't want to play the guessing game. I believe the Martin Logan sub would have worked just as well or maybe even better, but after a few hours and a few trips, the Dyn sub won me over.

Dan

jm1
06-06-2006, 01:12 PM
I'm starting to think that running my system in all small is the way to go.This sub is so quick and clean, I can't see no other reason then to use it all the time.2 channel is incredible with it. Damn she is tight...LOL

Anyway I'm running my mains in small with 2 channel crossed at 60hz now. I had them at 40hz but I think I like it better at 60hz.More playing around will yield the best setup but for now I'm having a blast.
Dan
Are you sure you are allowed to use a subwoofer while listening to two channel music? This practice sounds risky. It might distract from the purity of two channel music and confuse your senses.;)


Glad you found a sub to satisfy your needs. Our local Dyn retailer does not have any of these subs in store for audition; I have always wondered what they were like. Your comments regarding the sub do not surprise me based on the quality of their speakers.

I suspect now that you have experienced two channel music with this sub, you may find it unbearable to listen without. I find that since I have Confidence C1 monitors, two SVS PC Ultra subs with a dbx active crossover for main L+R speakers, I have lost interest in contemplating any additional speaker changes, unless I find some Rosewood C2’s at a good price.

Looking forward to reading about your theater room when its completed. Remember to incorporate acoustically treatment into the design.

mantis
06-06-2006, 02:11 PM
Are you sure you are allowed to use a subwoofer while listening to two channel music? This practice sounds risky. It might distract from the purity of two channel music and confuse your senses.;)


Glad you found a sub to satisfy your needs. Our local Dyn retailer does not have any of these subs in store for audition; I have always wondered what they were like. Your comments regarding the sub do not surprise me based on the quality of their speakers.

I suspect now that you have experienced two channel music with this sub, you may find it unbearable to listen without. I find that since I have Confidence C1 monitors, two SVS PC Ultra subs with a dbx active crossover for main L+R speakers, I have lost interest in contemplating any additional speaker changes, unless I find some Rosewood C2’s at a good price.

Looking forward to reading about your theater room when its completed. Remember to incorporate acoustically treatment into the design.

Ahh Confidence yes man I will own them one day. My bigger picture plan is to go to the Confidence c4's as my mains, Confidence center and 4 C1's for rears. I think the Sub500 will still work very well with this setup as I always can add one more to the mix. My gear will also change then to Krell Theater Standard preamp and amps. Unless I find something I like better running the Confidence series, Krell is a sure thing.

But for now I'm loving my Audience series home theater speaker system.

Dan

GATOR3000
06-06-2006, 03:12 PM
Congrats mantis looks like an awesome sub! Enjoy new toy. :D