Official Power Sound Audio Thread.

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by manonfire

Do you feel it gives you less, equal or more output than your empires....too bad you didn't still have the empire around to at least kind of see how duals would run in your room.

I still have 1 Empire, i would say its a little deeper in the low end, but the Empire has more upper bass that moves you, the XS-30 has good upperbass to, just not as much.

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by Magicmonger

Have you looked at or heard the HSU VTF-15Hs? The XV-30 is a MONSTER sub!

Yea i looked at that, but on Data-Bass.com the Rythmik FV15HP has preaty much the same output as the SVS PB13Ultra.

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by Spurrier Sucks

You could still get one later, just have to save up for a longer period. what about a ported sub?

Im thinking to try a ported sub again.

[theJman]

Originally Posted by Joshjp

I still have 1 Empire, i would say its a little deeper in the low end, but the Empire has more upper bass that moves you, the XS-30 has good upperbass to, just not as much.

It's possible the XS-30 is simply more accurate and doesn't embellish the mid-bass like the Empire may have. I've seen numerous posts from people who have gone from an average sub to something above average and lamented the "lack" of bass the new unit had. In reality a lot of the dissatisfaction was actually due to a more flat/neutral frequency response that no longer exaggerated the mid-bass region. I'm not certain if that's the situation in your case, but it might be worth considering. Is the XS30 even broken in yet? It seems as though you haven't had it for very long, so perhaps there's more break-in necessary?

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by theJman

It's possible the XS-30 is simply more accurate and doesn't embellish the mid-bass like the Empire may have. I've seen numerous posts from people who have gone from an average sub to something above average and lamented the "lack" of bass the new unit had. In reality a lot of the dissatisfaction was actually due to a more flat/neutral frequency response that no longer exaggerated the mid-bass region. I'm not certain if that's the situation in your case, but it might be worth considering. Is the XS30 even broken in yet? It seems as though you haven't had it for very long, so perhaps there's more break-in necessary?

Yea i just got it yesterday, i dont really believe in a break in period, i bought my first Empire used, got my second one new, couldnt tell the difference.

[Joshjp]

Well Tom and Jim let me work out a deal woth them to get the XV-30, they are truly the best in the buisness, i cant wait, should ship maybe next week.

[JAFO818]

I just ordered one XS15.

[Joshjp]

Congrats, you will love it.

[hsox05]

Got the xv30 on order. Nervously excited for it... Big splurge for me money wise

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by hsox05

Got the xv30 on order. Nervously excited for it... Big splurge for me money wise

, it was a HUGE splurge for me to, ive never spent that much money before.

[hsox05]

Originally Posted by Joshjp

, it was a HUGE splurge for me to, ive never spent that much money before.

Certainly not on a speaker. I paid more for my TV... but I never thought I'd spend so much on one component of the HT.

[Goat1]

Hopefully it will be worth it. I'm guessing the XS30 will have better mid bass than the xv15..

[hsox05]

Originally Posted by Goat1

Hopefully it will be worth it. I'm guessing the XS30 will have better mid bass than the xv15..

If that was directed at me, I ordered the XV30

[Spurrier Sucks]

Originally Posted by Joshjp

, it was a HUGE splurge for me to, ive never spent that much money before.

Did you get an XV30 to replace your XS30?

[Joshjp]

Originally Posted by Spurrier Sucks

Did you get an XV30 to replace your XS30?

No not yet, PSA havent got there drivers yet, it sucks waiting, but tom said it should ship out this coming week, im assuming Thursday.

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by theJman

It's possible the XS-30 is simply more accurate and doesn't embellish the mid-bass like the Empire may have. I've seen numerous posts from people who have gone from an average sub to something above average and lamented the "lack" of bass the new unit had. In reality a lot of the dissatisfaction was actually due to a more flat/neutral frequency response that no longer exaggerated the mid-bass region. I'm not certain if that's the situation in your case, but it might be worth considering. Is the XS30 even broken in yet? It seems as though you haven't had it for very long, so perhaps there's more break-in necessary?

I concur with your assessment Jim, as I was one of those who noticed a difference coming from an 8" Yamaha sub to my 10" HSU. After some time listening I began to appreciate the flatter, more neutral frequency response. I hear a lot more subtle details and layers of lower frequencies than ever experienced before.

[Tom V.]

Originally Posted by Miker107

I concur with your assessment Jim, as I was one of those who noticed a difference coming from an 8" Yamaha sub to my 10" HSU. After some time listening I began to appreciate the flatter, more neutral frequency response. I hear a lot more subtle details and layers of lower frequencies than ever experienced before.

I wouldn't call the empire "average".. It offers a ton of performance at its price point. Just based on the FR measurements of both I'm sure there will be subjective differences. The FR is quite different on the empire....with the 60-100hz range 5-6dB higher than the lower bass. In most scenarios a one dB difference in FR would be audible. 5-6dB would be *very* different sounding.

Even if these differences were masked somewhat by typical modal patterns of the room---I'd still expect there to be an audible difference.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by Tom V.

I wouldn't call the empire "average".. It offers a ton of performance at its price point. Just based on the FR measurements of both I'm sure there will be subjective differences. The FR is quite different on the empire....with the 60-100hz range 5-6dB higher than the lower bass. In most scenarios a one dB difference in FR would be audible. 5-6dB would be *very* different sounding.

Even if these differences were masked somewhat by typical modal patterns of the room---I'd still expect there to be an audible difference.

Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Well said Tom. I recall watching "The HULK" after changing to my current sub (HSU VTF-1) and I recalled how less dynamic the sound canon scene was with my new sub. It seemed that with my old 8" yammy that the sound waves in that scene were more audible and dynamic to my ears, so much so that I thought something was wrong with the HSU because I was missing that impact that I experienced before. I figured it was either due to a flatter more even response, or I have a dip in that certain frequency.

By the way, I've been following this thread with great interest for some time. I may end up getting a XV15 before long. I wonder if I could pair it with my HSU and move the HSU near field.

[Tom V.]

Originally Posted by Miker107

Well said Tom. I recall watching "The HULK" after changing to my current sub (HSU VTF-1) and I recalled how less dynamic the sound canon scene was with my new sub. It seemed that with my old 8" yammy that the sound waves in that scene were more audible and dynamic to my ears, so much so that I thought something was wrong with the HSU because I was missing that impact that I experienced before. I figured it was either due to a flatter more even response, or I have a dip in that certain frequency.

By the way, I've been following this thread with great interest for some time. I may end up getting a XV15 before long. I wonder if I could pair it with my HSU and move the HSU near field.

This will be a tough pairing. Generally you want the tuning points of two ported enclosures to be similar when used in the same room. So on one hand I'd suggest the "max extension" setting. However, even in "max extension" the hsu will be tuned in the mid 20s. The XV15 is in the upper teens. So there is still a gap. Also, the vtf-1 will have some issues "keeping up" with the XV15 in either mode. But setting it to max output will close that gap a little.

Another potential limitation could be the phase switch on the vtf-1 instead of a 0-180 continuous control. This may work fine, or you may wish you had a bit more flexibility....tough to predict. I'd probably "time" the XV15 with the main speakers first. Then, add the hsu and see if you can keep a good overall system blend with only the 0/180 phase option. The more flexibility you have in vtf-1 placement the easier this will be..


Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

[Miker107]

Originally Posted by Tom V.

This will be a tough pairing. Generally you want the tuning points of two ported enclosures to be similar when used in the same room. So on one hand I'd suggest the "max extension" setting. However, even in "max extension" the hsu will be tuned in the mid 20s. The XV15 is in the upper teens. So there is still a gap. Also, the vtf-1 will have some issues "keeping up" with the XV15 in either mode. But setting it to max output will close that gap a little.

Another potential limitation could be the phase switch on the vtf-1 instead of a 0-180 continuous control. This may work fine, or you may wish you had a bit more flexibility....tough to predict. I'd probably "time" the XV15 with the main speakers first. Then, add the hsu and see if you can keep a good overall system blend with only the 0/180 phase option. The more flexibility you have in vtf-1 placement the easier this will be..


Tom V.
Power Sound Audio

Very good Tom. I was thinking along the same lines concerning the tuning of the VTF-1 to max output, and allowing the XV15 to handle the deeper frequencies. I just purchased the VTF-1 recently and I love the performance of the unit so for. My entertainment room is a small spare bedroom, about 10 by 10 1/2 ft. The VTF-1 really pounds my room hard, but would probably like some lower extension.