[sabes]

i'm considering purchasing a sub to integrate with my tyler acoustics linbrook signature monitors in a not-too-large (9.5' W x 15' L x 8.5' H) room. because of placement constraints, the sub would need to be located in the front left corner of the room (short wall is front wall). i am currently considering either the velodyne dd-10 or the ACI force sub. the velo comes with EQ software onboard, which i'm thinking might be pretty handy given my room size, while with the aci i could use either their R-DES setup or the velo sms-1 to accomplish about the same thing. does anyone have any experience with these setups? i've read that the aci's may be more musical, but the velo EQ software seems more sophisticated/tweakable, which may tip the balance in the velo's direction? 

[BradJudy]

Since the SMS-1 is basically the DD series EQ in a stand-alone box, using it with an ACI sub would give you exactly the same tweakability as the DD sub would. 

[sabes]

Since the SMS-1 is basically the DD series EQ in a stand-alone box, using it with an ACI sub would give you exactly the same tweakability as the DD sub would. 

god that's logical!  good idea. have you had experience with either?

[BradJudy]

god that's logical!  good idea. have you had experience with either?

You mean like the ACI Titan XL I have listed in the For Sale section?    (It's a great sub, I'm just doing an inter-state moving)

I don't own an SMS-1, but I worked with one at a friend's place.  The combination of remote, on-screen display and looping track made it pretty easy and quick to setup, but I'm a pretty technically minded guy. 

[sabes]

anyone dealt heads-up with the sms vs R-DES?

[BradJudy]

I feel odd being the only one to reply here, but since I have used (not owned) both SMS-1 and RDES, I can give you some info. 

While the end goal is the same, the configuration of the two products is very different. 

SMS-1 includes a mic and you connect it to your TV.  It plays a looping low frequency tone while you use the SMS remote to adjust the settings.  Since it's looping, you see the results relatively quickly. 

RDES is configured using a computer via a USB connection.  It includes software that runs under Windows to set the EQ parameters.  It does not include its own measurement mechanism, so you either use an SPL meter and the included graph paper software, or use a separate measurement tool like Room EQ Wizard. 

Does ACI still sell RDES?  It doesn't appear to be listed on the AV123 site anymore (they created the product).  DIYCable was working on a similar product they were calling a subwoofer widget, but I don't know when it will be available. 

[sabes]

keep your responses coming - helpful! the R-DES is still mentioned on the ACI site - i'll check with them to see if they still carry it. sounds like the sms is a bit more user-friendly...

[bpape]

Leaving out the EQ for a minute, IMO the ACI is a much more musical sub than the Velodyne.  Also, the dual xover points on the ACI subs allow you to tweak things a bit and can emulate sort of a 1 band EQ - very handy to have.  IMO, the Velo is more of a home theater sub rather than a music sub.  The ACI's are some of the very few subs that I've heard integrate well with and keep up within things like Maggies and Quads (not an easy task).

Bryan