Finally, long overdue! After 10 days of testing her, using her for music and movies (yes, it's a her - ported subs are hers, sealed are hims...I've had a hard time keeping the Dynamo away from her, I'll wake up to get a drink of water and find my Dynamo on the couch somehow, its a hassle) - and I feel she's finally been broken in enough to write a decent review on. I've already made clear my opening remarks on aesthetics and construction and performance (on this thread somewhere, many many pages ago) - so this one will be solely based on its performance lately.
It's location, in the narrow (acute, for liquidice) angle between my couches was chosen out of a necessity to balance aesthetics and performance - it's a big sub (well, in my standards - which is anything over 1' cubed is comparable to a Tupalev Tu-95). Anywhere else in the room, I felt would put it into the circulation path of the house, or in an ineffective situation for bass placement (i.e., the typical having two subs next to your two fronts - I tried this just to mess around, it really, really didn't help - why don't people understand this?!). Also, I had noted that the left couch, the love seat (I don't sit there, I'm not in love) is a little bass lacking. I guess you could say due to the Dynamo's short power cord, I was restricted in its placement...although I did purchase a 6'-0" extension cord and a isolator for it recently, so that's my next phase of testing. Anyway, back to the HDSub-10. It IS daisy-chained from the Dynamo's LFE out, through a 25'-0" Monoprice RG6 subwoofer cable, onto a Y-splitter, and then to the Sub-10.
Currently, I run it at around 25-30% gain (dial knob at 9 o'clock position), while the Dynamo is at the 10 o'clock. Back when I first hooked it up, I made the mistake of putting the Sub10's dial at the 12 o'clock mark, and running the VSX-03's pink noise through it, jeez - rattled the room a little bit. Also, it is filled with Wal-Mart poly-fill. Pictures of that also available in previous pages here.
In any case, the movies I ran it through completely were as follows:
-Dark Knight
-Dinosaur
-Madagascar 2
-Quantum of Solace
-World is Not Enough
-Pirates of the Caribbean II
-Rambo I
-Star Wars Ep. I
-Star Wars Ep. III
-Jurassic Park II - Lost World
and then, a few random scenes from
-Master and Commander
-Kung Fu Panda
-Transformers
-Top Gun
-Cloverfield
-War of the Worlds DVD
...all over the past week or so. Few introductory notes - As Big Daddy says and as do the spec sheets (spec sheets from Acoustic Audio be damned, by the way) - the HDSub-10 is able to go lower than the Dynamo. I sensed new bass in scenes I had played over and over again as demonstrative scenes. Two, I must not have placed the Dynamo well at all at the beginning of my HT back in September 08! I felt a noticeable increase in my listening position of bass. Also, moving around the seats in my room, I did notice an increase of bass between Dynamo + HDSub10 as opposed to simply Dynamo. However, when I started to worry that this $168 sub was outperforming my Dynamo, I made the test of taking the Dynamo out completely and putting the Sub-10 in its place (next to Right Front). In this situation, using the Sub10 as the main, I was able to note that while it could hit lower, there was less detail in the sound.
The scene I ALWAYS try for sub detail is the Kung Fu Panda climax battle, Pod-racing in SW Ep. I., and the cannon fire of the vessels in Master and Commander. Somehow I just remembered feeling different notes from my Dynamo than I did with the Sub10, and I proved myself right when I put the
Dynamo back in place. The reverberations of Po's stomach when struck my Tai-Lung is a great test for the detail of a subwoofer, and the Dynamo clearly beat out the HDSub10 in this regard. As it did during the Cape Horn sequences in Master and Commander, and during the first few seconds of the pod-racing scene, when they activate their engines. So after coming to this conclusion, I realized I loved getting the extra - hmm, what's the technical term here - 'OOMPH' from the Sub10 but still keeping the detail of the Dynamo. I was a little worried from the port noise of the Sub10, but Pops assured me this was supposed to be there (I had horrible chuffing experiences with my old HTiB sub - putting some polyfill in the ol' girl helped out too, as well as leveling her out with the Dynamo so they don't overpower one or the other). So I returned the Sub10 to its original location and continued. Watching Quantum of Solace was a blast - (ohh boy did I make a bad pun there) the deep notes on that soundtrack, during the final climactic scenes as well as the utterly ridiculous aircraft combat (An unarmed Douglas DC-3? Really? Taking down an armed trainer craft? I have basic piloting skills and I think I could've shot a DC-3 down) took me to new heights of bass experience. I sincerely felt each and every note that was showed on screen moreso than I've ever felt previously - whether this was the source material or the blissful convergence of Martin Logan and Acoustic Audio I didn't know yet, but for the moment, I had a big smile on my face (either that, or I was eating a freshly made sammich).
I proceeded to the DTS version of the Lost World, which I knew quite well - there was definitely more presence in each footstep of the lumbering theropod Tyrannosaurus Rex during the trailer sequences and San Diego sequences - yet not sacrificing the detail necessary for the destruction of buildings, slamming of raptors on the little shed, or the roars of these deceased Dinosauria. I somehow felt as if the detail in the Dynamo overpowered the detail in the Sub10 when it needed to, and that the depth of the Sub10 took over the Dynamo when it needed to. I felt as if I was getting the best of both worlds. Again, moving around the seating areas, I also sensed (what am I, a Jedi?) - felt a more even bass presence than what had previously happened under the reign of the Dynamo. Surely this will make my guests happy!
Playing music throughout both subwoofers though, I must admit that the Dynamo was the clear winner, no contest, at least when using them individually. The detail, speed, and presence of the Dynamo was more noticeable than it was in movies. My music choices are somewhat eclectic and more secular than some of you - I listen to hispanic dancehall (reggaeton), hip hop; 80s and 90s rock; and the occasional classical instrumental from John Williams' soundtracks (although I must say I am privy to Tchaikovsky and Wagner recently) - and the driver on the Dynamo was able to keep up with the John Williams' soundtracks much more crisptly and aptly than the HDSub10 could. In hip hop and my hispanic music, the HDSub10 would sometimes feel like a cheap car sub - just being able to hit the thumps and booms prolifically, but never being able to hit the details of other musical works. The Dynamo was on top here. Again, this was on an individual basis. When I put the two together again, I was back to bliss.
In conclusion, I am happy with the careful blend of my two subwoofers. While using the HDSub10 as the sole subwoofer was not as enjoyable to me as using simply the Dynamo, and given the fact I have standing wave issues when using solely the Dynamo, combining the two together provided me with a bass blend wonderful for cinema. Truly raises the experience of the movie when you can feel the bass in your chest and NOT rattle the windows and liquor cabinets. I would still recommend the Dynamo over the HDSub-10 if you had to buy one subwoofer - but then I thought, well, for the price of one Dynamo, a potential customer could get four - thats right, FOUR - HDSub10s. And that, I can say with certainty - is better than one Dynamo. Are four HD-Sub10s better than two eD A2-300s? The Toyota Camry of subwoofers? That remains to be seen. But I would recommend four Sub10s over one Dynamo in a heartbeat. Whether you have the WAF or the room for four is your own problem. Whether you actually get four is also your own problem. I will NOT be blamed for your finances like you all blame Big Daddy!
But I will say that, for $168 - I can say with MUCH, MUCH certainty that the HD-Sub10 from Acoustic Audio is an excellent, capable entry-level subwoofer that will introduce you to levels of detail and presence that your current HTiB, or entry-level priced Sony, Polk, or Klipsch subwoofer was not able to do. Consider a switch out immediately! For your own good!
Anyway, best of luck with all your own tweaking. I'm waiting on my extension cord and riser for my Dynamo to get here; not to mention my Elite SACD player and what could be my new separate amplifiers from Outlaw and B&K. Exciting!
I just realized that, for all practical purposes, my previous post is a 1,700 word essay that I wrote up, with excellent grammar, in about 45 minutes. Why I can't do that for an architecture paper boggles me.
JJ, it is always easier to talk incessantly about something you really love over something that you feel forced to do. That invitation for a proper eD demo is still available by the way.
JJ, it is always easier to talk incessantly about something you really love over something that you feel forced to do. That invitation for a proper eD demo is still available by the way.
You know, this summer I'm going to be visiting Tampa to get myself an audition for Swan speakers. I suppose I could knock two birds with one stone...
Swan speakers? What does that mean for your B&W's? They may get jealous.
Shhh! Not so loud. They can hear you. Nothing like that, I just want to listen to what I haven't just so I can make more informed recommendations. But don't tell my 683s, but there's something about the Diva 6.2s that makes me feel all funny inside.
[IMG][/IMG]Son meets sub. Explained to son that sub is a friend: no kicking, jumping, or sitting on you friends.
Nice,looks like we were the first ones to show what the outer box looks like.Please let us know how it sounds for you.The first thing i noticed on the box was 800 watts. So far mine doesnt sound like it,but i'll give it some time.
800 w is the peak power... 400w is the more reasonable amount. I will set my stuff on Saturday. I am helping my wife in the evenings (she does accounting from home), and I won't have time until then. Yes, I do post here frequently, as I take small breaks from time to time.
800 w is the peak power... 400w is the more reasonable amount. I will set my stuff on Saturday. I am helping my wife in the evenings (she does accounting from home), and I won't have time until then. Yes, I do post here frequently, as I take small breaks from time to time.
True but i guess i just thought the sub might a little heavier,if the amp is rated that high.But it probably doesnt matter.
It doesnt seem to ever really turn off,when theres no signal going to it.I have it turned to auto on,but its pretty warm to the touch even after not using it for several hours.Guess i will just turn the power off.
It doesnt seem to ever really turn off,when theres no signal going to it.I have it turned to auto on,but its pretty warm to the touch even after not using it for several hours.Guess i will just turn the power off.
Yea, I noticed this too. Auto On seems to be useless.
True but i guess i just thought the sub might a little heavier,if the amp is rated that high.But it probably doesnt matter.
1. Make sure the subwoofer is a few away from the wall. The port is in the back and it needs breathing room.
2. Definitely use a Y adapter (2 male, 1 female) and connect the sub cable to both inputs.
3. Turn the amp slightly up without going too high.
4. Deeper and lower frequency bass sound does not sound as loud as upper frequency bass sound. A subwoofer that does not go as low may sound louder, but it lacks the low frequency extension. It is possible that you are used to that from your old subwoofer and your brain needs some time to adjust.
5. Despite this, I still don't understand it. I just ran test tones through the sub at normal calibration level and measured the response with my SPL meter about 1 meter (3 ft in front of it). These are the results:
I didn't want to increase the level anymore or increase the volume on my receiver and damage the driver. These figures are pretty loud.
6. The figures are independent of the location of the sub since the measurments were taken from one meter away. By moving to the listening position, the numbers can change. That is why placement is crucial. Try putting it in a corner, a couple of feet away from the walls and adjust the crossover frequency of your other speakers. Make sure the low pass filter inside the receiver is set to 120Hz. Turn off the other subwoofer and let this one run alone for a while. You must re-calibrate your audio for this subwoofer.
7. If you are planning to use both subwoofers, place them in the middle of the side walls ( a couple of feet away from the walls) and carefully match their levels at your primary listening position. You may have to turn off one and adjust the other one until you get it right.
8. Also when you run two subs, there is possibility of phase cancellation. You need to experiment with their position and phase.
9. Once all the placements are finalized, don't forget to re-calibrate your speakers again as a different sub and different placements will have different interaction with the room.
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I must say that every time I listen to YOU ~ I SPEND MONEY ~ & it just gets BETTER & BETTER !!!
[/IMG]Son meets sub
. Explained to son that sub is a friend: no kicking, jumping, or sitting on you friends.
I will set my stuff on Saturday. I am helping my wife in the evenings (she does accounting from home), and I won't have time until then. Yes, I do post here frequently, as I take small breaks from time to time.
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