Subwoofer Recommendations ?

[Wilche]

I would like recommendations for a subwoofer. My budget would be about $2000. My speakers are PSB Synchrony Ones. I currently have the PSB 6i which doesn't cut it. My system does double duty: music and HT. I'm also interested in opinions of the Rel B3. Thanks

[mdabb]

Look at some of these "bad boys". http://www.earthquakesound.com/supernova15.htm

[MacDaddyOJack]

I just read a review of the Rel B3 yesterday. It appeared to be a great sub for music, but not so much for home theater. What will be the new subs primary use, music or HT?

Edit: the review I read was for the T3, not the B3. I have not heard either one in person though.

[Wilche]

Since getting my new receiver and speakers, my usage has changed from 30% music to 55% music. So I am hoping to find a subwoofer which will integrate nicely with my speakers for music, but still provide the sonic excitement for Blu-ray.

[kpkelley]

Subwoofer Ratings:

Here is the scoring summary with the Home Theater score and Music score, respectively shown as (HT-M).

Prices and whether the items are available Internet Direct or from a store are now included. Keep in mind that ID pricing will usually be firm, or slightly discounted, where some BM products will see substantial discounts. BM = Brick and Mortar. ID = Internet Direct. ID/SI = shipping included.

Elemental Designs A7-900 ($2200 ID/SI): 116 points (63-53)
Epik Conquest ($1599 ID): 112 points (60-52)
SVS PB13-Ultra ($1499 ID): 109 points (57-52)
Epik Castle ($999 ID): 109 points (59-50)
AV123 MFW-15 Duals: 109 points (56-53) (note, duals were tested as duals are offered as a package)
Creative Sounds Dual SDX-15 driver + Behringer EP-2500 Amp + Behringer DEQ2496 ($1630 ID): 105 points (57-48)
JL Audio Fathom 113 ($3500 BM): 103 points (53-50)
AV123 MFW-15 ($599 ID): 103 points (53-50)
Def Tech Trinity ($3000 BM): 102 points (54-48)
Velodyne DD-18 ($5000 BM): 100 points (50-50)
ACI Maestro ($2400 ID): 97 points (47-50)
eD A5-350 ($715 ID/SI): 96 points (50-46)
JL Audio Fathom 112 ($2600 BM): 95 points (45-50)
Hsu VTF-3 HO + Turbo ($999 ID): 94 points (47-47)
Hsu VTF-3 HO w/o Turbo ($899 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III + Turbo ($799 ID): 92 points (45-47)
Epik Valor ($549 ID): 91 points (44-47)
Hsu VTF-3 Mark III w/o Turbo ($699 ID): 91 points (45-46)
SVS PB12-Ultra: 90 points (47-43)
Axiom EP-500 ($1230 ID/SI): 90 points (43-47)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III + Turbo ($599 ID): 88 points (42-46)
SVS PB12-Plus/2 ($1299 ID): 87 points (47-40)
SVS PB12-NSD ($599 ID): 86 points (43-43)
Hsu VTF-2 Mark III w/o Turbo ($499 ID): 86 points (40-46)
Rocket UFW-12 ($999 ID): 85 points (provisional) (35-50)
Elemental Designs A2-300 ($350 ID/SI): 83 points (44-39)
SVS PB10-NSD ($429 ID): 83 points (43-40)
Dana Audio 600 ($869 ID): 83 points (36-47)
Rocket X-Sub ($199 ID): 78 points (34-44)
BIC H-100 ($229 eBay): 78 points (40-38)

[Wilche]

Originally Posted by mdabb

Look at some of these "bad boys". http://www.earthquakesound.com/supernova15.htm

They would make my 6i sound rather meek.

[MacDaddyOJack]

I am so pleased with my SVS that if I ever upgrade again, it will be to the top-of-the-line SVS model at that time. I use my system for about 80% movies though.

[Driver_King]

Go for an SVS PC13 Ultra. It's rated the highest for the money and performance!

[sokrman14]

My favorite are REL subs. Their SUB-BASS system is great for a smooth bass transition when listening to music or nice powered system for movies. They are my best recommendation, even though I can't afford one myself

[MacDaddyOJack]

I think the idea is innovative, but I'm not sold on it. When I watch a movie, I want to hear the mix as it was intended and you can't do that with the hybrid(LFE & line level input) setting on a REL subwoofer. I can't completely discount the idea though, I have never heard one in person.

[Wilche]

I am going to listen to to some subwoofers hooked up to a PSB Synchrony system today. Can you recommend some Blu-rays to test for HT use? I will also take along some SACD's: organ, piano, a Beethoven symphony, a jazz with some good bass. Any other ideas? Does "Dark Side of the Moon" provide a good listening test? Thanks.

[Wilche]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

My favorite are REL subs. Their SUB-BASS system is great for a smooth bass transition when listening to music or nice powered system for movies. They are my best recommendation, even though I can't afford one myself

I am interested in this as well. Although Macdaddyojack raises a good question regarding the HT mix.

[sokrman14]

It has a switch on the back to make it high level or line level. So you can run a full range system, or a as a Sub system.

[MacDaddyOJack]

Originally Posted by sokrman14

It has a switch on the back to make it high level or line level. So you can run a full range system, or a as a Sub system.

That sounds better, the review I read made it seem as though it was always a hybrid mix of the two, no switch. Now the only thing to make it better would be that it came with a remote to change the input type!

[Wilche]

I'm looking forward to hearing the REL's today. Thanks for the explanation. That makes it sound like an excellent double-duty subwoofer. I'd like that switch on the remote too.
I found the list of Blu-rays for testing purposes. I had forgotten they were on the mega-subwoofer post.

[Beta Man]

I like the Martin Logan subs.... the Abyss is a great value in my opinion.

I have a Def Tech 14" reference series.... and I think it's over-kill, but if you're looking for serious bass, it'll fit in your budget.

[fronn]

There is a steely dan DVD (Two against nature) that's commonly used as speaker/sub test (sub 20hz on there, iirc).

I'd say a movie like Cloverfield or U-571 wouldn't be bad.

There's a few scenes in pixar movies (Incredibles has a scene with stuff below 10hz and the "darla taps the tank" scene in Finding Nemo).

Take a look here: http://www.svsound.com/questions-faqs.cfm#moviedemos for some more choice stuff.

As far as sub recommendations:

1)Dual MFW-15s (I believe they are still backordered, but if you've got 1300 to spend, dual MFW-15s are going to be pretty rocking)
2)SVS PB13-Ultra (long time contender)

In that order.

[pyleboy]

Originally Posted by Wilche

I would like recommendations for a subwoofer. My budget would be about $2000. My speakers are PSB Synchrony Ones. I currently have the PSB 6i which doesn't cut it. My system does double duty: music and HT. I'm also interested in opinions of the Rel B3. Thanks

i own the klipsch rt-12d subwoofer that i bought here in chicago for $1800 and it just rocks both movies and music. if you have a place near you were you can demo it give it a try first. i looked at alot of subs and in my opinion this was the best sounding sub.hope this helps

[steddy6]

Hey, i just forgot i have a 12" nice powerful subwoofer box in my car. would it work with my a/v receiver? Trust me this sub breaks floors....

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by steddy6

Hey, i just forgot i have a 12" nice powerful subwoofer box in my car. would it work with my a/v receiver? Trust me this sub breaks floors....

No.