Musically-inclined subs? - Blu-ray Forum

Zman2k2 · 09-06-2010, 08:17 PM

So I'm thinking of getting rid of the room shaker A3-300. Looking to move to something more musical. The A3-300 doesn't quite blend as well as I'd hope. I'm looking for suggestions of subs that would work well with a 50/50 music/movies environment. I'll list the first few that I'm thinking of, and anyone with info can pipe up, it would be appreciated.

-Martin Logan Dynamo
-Emotiva Ultra 12
-Hsu Research STF-2
-Elemental Designs A3S-250

Suggestions welcome as well.
Thanks.

rick88 · 09-06-2010, 08:48 PM

I can tell you the HSU is very good for music. I recently purchased one myself and musicality was a high priority for me as well. It replaced a Mirage Prestige S10 that was also excellent for music. It was just lacking some low end extension and punch for movies to me. The HSU delivers both for me.

I'm not sure about the others you mentioned because honestly I haven't heard them myself. I'm sure others with experience with those will chime in.

rick88 · 09-06-2010, 09:01 PM

Edit: I see you mentioned the STF-2, not the VTF-2 that I own. I am not sure how different they are for music.

Personally I love the variable tuning feature of my sub. After much experimenting I have decided I like to use the maximum extension mode for movies, and the maximum output mode for music. It takes about 10 seconds to change and I do it everytime I switch from movies to music.

BigAl87 · 09-06-2010, 09:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

So I'm thinking of getting rid of the room shaker A3-300. Looking to move to something more musical. The A3-300 doesn't quite blend as well as I'd hope. I'm looking for suggestions of subs that would work well with a 50/50 music/movies environment. I'll list the first few that I'm thinking of, and anyone with info can pipe up, it would be appreciated.

-Martin Logan Dynamo
-Emotiva Ultra 12
-Hsu Research STF-2
-Elemental Designs A3S-250

Suggestions welcome as well.
Thanks.

Zman2k2 what is the budget you are working with?

Big Daddy · 09-06-2010, 09:29 PM

Here are three companies that make excellent subwoofers for music. Incidentally, their names are made of three letters.

TBI:
http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_products.asp
Read this
http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_sound_technical.asp

ACI:
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/speakers.htm#subwoofers

Rel:
http://www.rel.net/index2.htm
http://sumikoaudio.net/rel/index.htm

Zman2k2 · 09-06-2010, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl87

Zman2k2 what is the budget you are working with?

Probably $600-$700 all in, shipping and such. I figure I should get something good for that much. Should have mentioned that in the first post, sorry.

Zman2k2 · 09-06-2010, 09:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Here are three companies that make excellent subwoofers for music. Incidentally, their names are made of three letters.

TBI:
http://tbisubwoofers.com/dsp_products.asp
Read this
http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_sound_technical.asp

ACI:
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/speakers.htm#subwoofers

Rel:
http://www.rel.net/index2.htm
http://sumikoaudio.net/rel/index.htm

Thanks for the suggestions BD. I like the Rel subs, they look fantastic!

Big Daddy · 09-06-2010, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zman2k2

Thanks for the suggestions BD. I like the Rel subs, they look fantastic!

I agree. REL subs look great, but don't overlook the other subwoofers.

The fourth company that makes musical subs is HSU, but everybody knows about HSU. Even HSU has three letters.

The new rule of subwoofer manufacturers: If the company name has more than three letters, it can't be musical.

rick88 · 09-06-2010, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

I agree. REL subs look great, but don't overlook the other subwoofers.

The fourth company that makes musical subs is HSU, but everybody knows about HSU. Even HSU has three letters.

The new rule of subwoofer manufacturers: If the company name has more than three letters, it can't be musical.

I like that new rule Big Daddy. lol.

croseiv · 09-06-2010, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

The new rule of subwoofer manufacturers: If the company name has more than three letters, it can't be musical.

Good one BD! LOL...

BigAl87 · 09-06-2010, 10:53 PM

So JL must be musical as hell but man the starting price is like 2K.

I like BD idea with Rel tho.

Big Daddy · 09-06-2010, 10:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigAl87

So JL must be musical as hell but man the starting price is like 2K.

I like BD idea with Rel tho.

JL has two letters and according to the NEW RULE, it does not qualify. Also, they are as expensive as most people's cars.

Zman2k2 · 09-06-2010, 11:48 PM

Nothing like shoving a Gotham sub in the corner, and telling the wife I got it cheap! I'd end up using the cone surround as a pillow I'm sure.

Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm going to see if I can change the budget a bit, to add a little cash to the mix. In the last two months, I've dropped $4k on audio. What's another couple hundred?

Next step in this process is to find some dealers, to see if I can hear any of these before I buy.

Big Daddy · 09-06-2010, 11:52 PM

Another good option for music is Ascend/Rythmik SUbwoofers:

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/products.html
http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages.../subintro.html

Zman2k2 · 09-07-2010, 01:45 AM

Thanks BD. I should have known you'd speak up in a subwoofer thread.

My choices have gone up by a factor of 10. Fantastic. Now I have to read specs, user reviews, and see if I can hear any of these subs. The real fun begins now.

rick88 · 09-07-2010, 01:54 AM

Good luck and be sure to let us know what you choose!

Big Daddy · 09-07-2010, 02:07 AM

Just to add to your confusion.

MJ Acoustics is a British company and makes excellent subwoofers:
http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/index.htm

crazyBLUE · 09-07-2010, 02:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

Just to add to your confusion.

MJ Acoustics is a British company and makes excellent subwoofers:
http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/index.htm

This will add to the confusion

Take that eD sub & replace the driver & make it passive ! He has an amplifier already to drive it & Dayton makes a great sounding musical driver for a sub

ManUtd · 09-07-2010, 02:30 AM

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the other 3-letter company...SVS. Check out the SB12-NSD.

rick88 · 09-07-2010, 02:37 AM

I am also surprised nobody mentioned SVS. Great subs!

09-06-2010, 08:17 PM	#1
Zman2k2 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Calgary, Canada Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:136 Trading Score:54	Musically-inclined subs? So I'm thinking of getting rid of the room shaker A3-300. Looking to move to something more musical. The A3-300 doesn't quite blend as well as I'd hope. I'm looking for suggestions of subs that would work well with a 50/50 music/movies environment. I'll list the first few that I'm thinking of, and anyone with info can pipe up, it would be appreciated. -Martin Logan Dynamo -Emotiva Ultra 12 -Hsu Research STF-2 -Elemental Designs A3S-250 Suggestions welcome as well. Thanks.

09-06-2010, 08:48 PM	#2
rick88 Power Member Member since:May 2010 Location:Upstate NY Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:10	I can tell you the HSU is very good for music. I recently purchased one myself and musicality was a high priority for me as well. It replaced a Mirage Prestige S10 that was also excellent for music. It was just lacking some low end extension and punch for movies to me. The HSU delivers both for me. I'm not sure about the others you mentioned because honestly I haven't heard them myself. I'm sure others with experience with those will chime in. Last edited by rick88; 09-06-2010 at 09:08 PM.

09-06-2010, 09:29 PM	#5
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	Here are three companies that make excellent subwoofers for music. Incidentally, their names are made of three letters. TBI: http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_products.asp Read this http://www.tbisound.com/dsp_sound_technical.asp ACI: http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/speakers.htm#subwoofers Rel: http://www.rel.net/index2.htm http://sumikoaudio.net/rel/index.htm Last edited by Big Daddy; 09-04-2011 at 06:03 AM.

09-06-2010, 09:01 PM	#3
rick88 Power Member Member since:May 2010 Location:Upstate NY Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:10	Edit: I see you mentioned the STF-2, not the VTF-2 that I own. I am not sure how different they are for music. Personally I love the variable tuning feature of my sub. After much experimenting I have decided I like to use the maximum extension mode for movies, and the maximum output mode for music. It takes about 10 seconds to change and I do it everytime I switch from movies to music.

09-06-2010, 10:53 PM	#11
BigAl87 Contributor Top contributor Member since:Apr 2009 Location:Corner Totem Rd. and Sugden Ave., Arcam Shire Home Theater Gallery:135 Blu-ray collection:359	So JL must be musical as hell but man the starting price is like 2K. I like BD idea with Rel tho.

09-06-2010, 11:48 PM	#13
Zman2k2 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Calgary, Canada Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:136 Trading Score:54	Nothing like shoving a Gotham sub in the corner, and telling the wife I got it cheap! I'd end up using the cone surround as a pillow I'm sure. Thanks for the suggestions guys. I'm going to see if I can change the budget a bit, to add a little cash to the mix. In the last two months, I've dropped $4k on audio. What's another couple hundred? Next step in this process is to find some dealers, to see if I can hear any of these before I buy.

09-06-2010, 11:52 PM	#14
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	Another good option for music is Ascend/Rythmik SUbwoofers: http://www.rythmikaudio.com/products.html http://www.ascendacoustics.com/pages.../subintro.html

09-07-2010, 01:45 AM	#15
Zman2k2 Blu-ray Guru Top contributor Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Calgary, Canada Home Theater Gallery:5 Blu-ray collection:136 Trading Score:54	Thanks BD. I should have known you'd speak up in a subwoofer thread. My choices have gone up by a factor of 10. Fantastic. Now I have to read specs, user reviews, and see if I can hear any of these subs. The real fun begins now.

09-07-2010, 01:54 AM	#16
rick88 Power Member Member since:May 2010 Location:Upstate NY Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:10	Good luck and be sure to let us know what you choose!

09-07-2010, 02:07 AM	#17
Big Daddy Blu-ray Champion Top ranked HT gallery Member since:Jan 2008 Location:Southern California Home Theater Gallery:79 Blu-ray collection:122 Trading Score:1	Just to add to your confusion. MJ Acoustics is a British company and makes excellent subwoofers: http://www.mjacoustics.co.uk/index.htm

09-07-2010, 02:30 AM	#19
ManUtd Blu-ray Count Top contributor Member since:Feb 2008 Location:In my HT Home Theater Gallery:1 4K collection:15 Blu-ray collection:829 Blu-ray reviews: 5 Trading Score:5	I'm surprised nobody has mentioned the other 3-letter company...SVS. Check out the SB12-NSD.

09-07-2010, 02:37 AM	#20
rick88 Power Member Member since:May 2010 Location:Upstate NY Blu-ray reviews:1 Trading Score:10	I am also surprised nobody mentioned SVS. Great subs!

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