LSi15's w/PSW505

[ddsski]

So for a start, my CT Sunfire True Sub 2 finally gave up turning on unless you hit it with at least -15db gain input. Seen as I love my LSi15's I decided to get a PSW505 in the interim till I get the Sunfire fixed, retired, or upgrade (think Golden Ear!!). Any one with experience with this combination have some crossover frequencies, db gain etc that worked for them. Location will be in between the Lsi15's right of center. BTW amp is a MacIntosh MC352 so I don't fear the sub trying to takeover! Preamp is a Marantz AV7005 so I will also tune with Audyssey

[tonyb]

The sub won't take over, just the opposite. The 505 really is more tuned for HT than music in my opinion. It's going to be too slow to keep up with the LSI's....again, my opinion. The micro pro subs are more musical and faster than the PSW line and a better match.

[Mikey081057]

MicroPro and Sunfire TS's are very similar

I have a 1000 and a 3000 for 2 chan and HT setups. I only issue i had was that they walked on the hardwood, but Auralex subdude resolved quite nicely

[Caineo]

I'm pondering what sub to go with LSI15s (I'm about to order them) or if perhaps, a sub isn't needed? I'm 50/50 music and HT.

I plan to power my LSI15s with a Parasound 1205, so only 200 watts at 4 ohms. (Yamaha Aventage RX-A820 behind that). Moderate listening levels. 5.1 system, not 7.1 at this time. Room is about 15X20 with a high ceiling.

I'm assuming I'll get LSI7's for my rears and some used/refurb LSI center speaker if I can find one, rather than buying new.

What I care more about is capturing the "foundational" low notes of a pipe organ than sonic explosions in a movie, the subtle percussion of a plucked string bass. Which is not to say I don't care at all about movie sound effects. But my priority is music which is why I've decided to go LSI instead of RTI. Music concert DVD's will figure heavily in their use.

I'm thinking the 15s would do a better job reproducing mid-bass than LSI9s simply because they do have a woofer built in- is that a rational thought or am I missing something about the LSI9s? Being an 8" woofer, I'm also assuming the 15s would be missing the "floor" of low-frequency bass that I am after. So I would only be wanting a subwoofer for the lowest portion of the frequency spectrum that the LSI 15's might not serve all that well.

Is it the consensus that a sub is needed with LSI15s in the front? Or is there an argument that one is unnecessary? Thanks all.

[HHStuart]

My feeling is that LSi15's do need help for the lowest bass. I am happy with my Epik Legend in a room similar to what you have. I would avoid a ported subwoofer but that might just be me. The Epik Legend is great for movie effects as well as classical music which has a large frequency range. I haven't tried it out with Also Sprach Zarathustra yet (Think 2001 - A Space Odyssey).

[Tankman]

I have two of these subs with my LSi-15's and Tonyb is right they are slow for music.Not too bad for HT but not great either.

[rpf65]

You may want to look at HSU website. I think the VTF-15H may be of some intrest for your application.

[ken brydson]

You may want to look at HSU website. I think the VTF-15H may be of some intrest for your application.

SVS also has a couple of new offerings less than $500, one ported and one sealed with usable output to 19 hz...

http://hometheater.about.com/b/2012/...s-for-2013.htm

[Caineo]

Great feedback guys- thank you.

HH- you've confirmed my hunch on needing more low end with the 15's, thanks. When I think classical with bass, the 1812 overture comes to mind as well as Also Sprach Zarathustra- LOL. I'm guessing the lsi15s are fine down to 50Hz or so and then taper off. So I was assuming I'd need at least a 12" to get low enough. I'll do more research on the Epik Legend- thanks for the lead.

rpf65- The size of the HSU might deter me. I have a couple of 15" subs now that I used with a power amp as part of my PA for musical gigs (with four Polk R50's on tall tripod stands as my mains!). I love the very low they can produce but can't think of a way to allocate that much space in my living room setup. I'll check the HSU measurements against the spot where I thought I would put the sub.

Ken- thanks for the tip on the SVS. The reviews were impressive- especially the customer service. I'll call them to try to get an idea whether they think a 10" could do the job. I worry that going smaller than 12" would miss the lows I'm hoping to capture.

I'm excited- the Parasound arrives tomorrow. Need to get the LSI's ordered tomorrow. Trying to trade off whether to get a used LSIc. I have a line on a used LSIm704C and I'm thinking I prefer the idea of its mid-range driver in addition to the two woofers and the tweeter.

Thanks again for the great ideas.

[ddsski]

Am using the Audyssey recommended 40Hz crossover for a reason. At most I may up crossover setting to 60Hz. This was what my original post was looking for, not buying recommendations. My True sub is being overhauled by one of its orignal engineers, this is stop gap.I was more interested in gain etc.

[chriscorv58]

I bought 2 sb12 nsd subwoofers from svsound.com I am blown away at how much of a difference these made vs my old klipsch rw12d. Works amazing with the lsi9 speakers!

[PSOVLSK]

Ken- thanks for the tip on the SVS. The reviews were impressive- especially the customer service. I'll call them to try to get an idea whether they think a 10" could do the job. I worry that going smaller than 12" would miss the lows I'm hoping to capture.

Thanks again for the great ideas.

The good news is that they won't try to over-sell you. They told me I'd be fine with a lesser sub than I go.

[ddsski]

Definitely a stop gap. Sound is muddy at best . Tons of bass but the clarity is too low for audio. Will be for sale as soon as the true sub returns till i get the $$ for my Triton 2's!

[Caineo]

I chased down all the suggestions offered here- thought about the wonderful price point of the PSW505 and wondered if I should settle for that for now to go with my (gorgeous) refurb LSI15's and my used (but perfect-just arrived) LSI-FX rear. I finally decided to take the plunge on an SVS PB-12NSD (one). I just ordered it today.

I looked at everything Polk, HSU, and others had to offer, new and used, including a Polk PSW1200 I *just* missed on craigslist locally for a mere $300. <sigh> Having just received a Parasound HCA-1205 I bought used that arrived with an issue or two, I decided I wanted to go new. $769 was not in my budget, but I doubt I'll regret it in the morning. ;-)

Anything I would buy would smoke my ancient Acoustic Research 70 watt 12" sub, so I know I'll be pleased. What sold me? The FLAT response curve documented by Audioholics, down to 20 Hz. It seems that for the price, it's tough to beat. Here's hoping i feel that way when I plug it in!

[tonyb]

Dude, that sub will kick you in the guts and then some. Be prepared.....have an extra pair of shorts on hand. Congrats on the new sub.

[ken brydson]

What Tony said. Can't go wrong with an SVS. My 25-31PC+ still amazes me. Congrats!

[Loud & Clear]

I expect you'll really like it. Congrats.

[Caineo]

Thanks guys- I am super excited. It arrives next week. I'll have my "depends" on! LOL

[ddsski]

Don't waste your money on a PSW505. Its VERY low end and i can't wait to get my Sunfire Tru Sub back. One of the original Sunfire employees now rebuils them (replaces all the caps etc that were issues) for $200+shipping!! Not bad for a unit that would cost ~$1600 to replace!!

[ddsski]

After the last few days with this sub my conclusion is if you have quality speakers and Audyssey wants you to use the 40Hz crossover point, this sub is pretty useless because it is gutless down at those levels. Very disappointed that a sub can't even do the job it was designed for even poorly. Just gonna get used on a little satellite system for my dad as it was thoroughly outclassed on my systems.
Final conclusion---> This sub is only good for use with a small bookshelf speaker for music to get down to ~40HZ. Only good for making annoying noise on movies. 2 thumbs down. First Polk bomb I've owned.

[htrdln]

thanks for the warnings i was looking at the pws505

[mrbigbluelight]

Well, I'd have to disagree ddsski with your overall assessment of the PSW505.

"A bomb" and "VERY low end" ? Nope, don't think so.
Is it up to the performance level of a Sunfire True Sub 2 ?
I should certainly hope not; if it did, then I'd be worried that the folks at Polk had made some sort of pact with the devil (selling souls, sacrificing virgins, et al).
But, then again, we're talking $189 vs $1xxx, so that's like comparing home-dyed Easter eggs with Faberge eggs.
Either one can bring you happiness. Depends on your realistic expectations.

Tonyb's assessment up there is pretty dead on. That's true because it agrees with what I think which is proof that it's right.

[tonyb]

...the folks at Polk had made some sort of pact with the devil (selling souls, sacrificing virgins, et al).

I knew I liked this place for some reason.

[DAVE HOFFER]

I have the lsi15s fx for side lsi7 for rears polk 550 sub. Bought a emotive 5 channel 200 watt per channel amp. I really brought the best out in the speakers. Huge differance. Never thought I had enough bass. Been looking at SVS and HSU. Looked for a long time for used never found much. So I bought the VFT15. Can home with it and put it in the garage. I saw the wife look at the box serval times but never said anything. Didn't know what it was. Problems with the sub mintues after I hooked it up. Set it up as HSU said to start. Put on the new Batman. Started very low. Could tell the differance right away. Turned it up and thats when my problems begain. My room is above the garage 20 X 24, jvc projector, 120" stewart screen. Pool table, Pac man machine, pinball machines, slot machines. My metal wall art viberated on the walls. Pictures fell off the wall. My windows rattled. My chair viberated. I could fell it in my chest. Dishes rattled in the bar. My real problem is when the wife ran up the stairs yelling. Wanting to know what the hell is happening. It blows the polk 550 away. Its very smooth, tight bass, very adjustbale. If you live in dallas and like to here this sub or compare subs let me no. I like it I like I like it. I'm sure SVS subs would do the same Hsu was more in the price range. This is all I need for now.

[mrbigbluelight]

Now, Dave, until you get DUAL VFT15's, you won't be capable of reliably melting, at will, the ice cream in your neighbor-across-the street's freezer and should not be be satisfied.
(better insert some emoticons here)

An awesome sub that, like you said, blows away the 505. And should.
If you send me a copy of your house key, and you and your wife's work schedules (don't want to bother you while you're there), I might take you up on that sub demo. We'll just kind of help ourselves, so to speak.
"Dad, you ignorant slut !"
Sssshhhh, this plan's going to really work

So ... uhm ... something to think about.
Did I mention awesome sub ?

[nme medic]

505 is a great entry level sub but my buddy has 2 micro pros and they sound AMAZING!!!