VMPS Smaller Subwoofer

BC Dave · « **on:** 15 Mar 2006, 05:14 pm »

Hello,

Until Saturday I was very happy with my Paradigm PS-1000 V4 subwoofer. Then, sipping coffee, I spotted an ad in our local bargain finder for a 1991 VMPS smaller sub. I picked it up for $200 Canadian.

I could not believe the difference in my huge room. The bass is so effortless and deep, and ultra clean. It blends very well with my Paradigm Titans and CC-170 center channel. I didn't think I was hearing distortion before but this VMPS is so clean I must have been hearing a lot of garbage out of the PS-1000.

A couple of questions if you don't mind:

I am using an Adcom GFC535II amp (100 watts rms into 4 ohms) to power this sub. I am using the sub line out on my Denon AVR-1603 receiver directly into the Adcom and controlling the sub volume with the sub level control on the receiver. Is this the proper way to hook it up?

Also, I am a bit confused about the crossover network. I am using the internal crossover in the Denon, but is there an overlap with the crossover in the VMPS? Everything sounds as it should. What is the purpose of the two controls that look like volume controls on the sub?

Finally, could you tell me a little about the 12 inch woofer in the VMPS. This is the original with a foam surround that appears solid. I am curious about the magnet weight and voice coil size. Is the Megawoofer head and shoulders above this one or should I use it until the foam disintegrates and upgrade then? At what cost for a megawoofer?

Thanks in advance

CornellAlum · « **Reply #1 on:** 15 Mar 2006, 07:16 pm »

I can answer one question. The sub should be passive, and hence is using no internal crossover if it is like the ones that are made today. You may very well find yourself happier with the performance by getting some more wattage thrown at the driver. I would say 500 would be rockin. I use 1000 watts on my larger.

My sub is hooked up using the sub out on a modded panny feading 100 cross to the outboard PE amp, then I adjust from there on the amp itself before feeding the sub.

mjosef · « **Reply #2 on:** 15 Mar 2006, 11:41 pm »

You should be by-passing the passive crossover on the sub if you are using the internal crossover in the receiver sub out. I bought my Original sub in '86, which uses the same 12" active with the foam surround and later (2003)'upgraded' to the megawoofer when the foam fell apart. The sound was leaner, some might say cleaner, but I could have lived with the foam driver...I did refoam the driver before ordering the megawoofer, but when the passive foam went too, I decided to go the megawoofer route with matching passive. So I would say use it until the cone flies off the basket

then do the megawoofer upgrade. Not sure what the current pricing is for the megawoofer, you should contact BC directly for that.
Enjoy the BASS!

warnerwh · « **Reply #3 on:** 15 Mar 2006, 11:48 pm »

What you're doing is correct but as stated above more power would be better. Vmps sells an excellent plate amp if you're handy at all with 500wpc for 300 bucks. Just cut the right size hole, screw it down and connect the wires to the woofer and you're ready to adjust the crossover and output. It's a piece of cake.

You found out VMPS has been known for making outstanding subs and speakers for the money for nearly 3 decades. You should hear the current generation of speakers. This is only a suggestion but most people are honestly amazed how good they sound. This is after they've been all over auditioning other brands and for the money the VMPS speakers nearly always. There's other good speakers out there but after being a dealer for a year and having not only people interested in speakers but just other audiophiles over the reaction has been consistent.

BC Dave · « **Reply #4 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 12:08 am »

Thanks all for your comments. I don't listen at really loud levels and the Adcom stays cool (doesn't seem to be working all that hard). If I saw its clip lights flashing I would be worried, but that isn't the case. I wouldn't say I am underpowered, but a more powerful amp might be something to consider in the future.
Two things: Is the 12 inch driver a heavy, large-magnet beast or lightweight and unremarkable?
How do I get the crossover network in the VMPS out of the way? What are those knobs for? I don't have the owner's manual!

Thanks.
Dave

mjosef · « **Reply #5 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 12:35 am »

Hey Dave, I had the same amp an Adcom GFA535 driving my sub back then, actually I had two 535s one for the mains and one for the sub, I was using an active crossover(Marchand kit) with a pair of bookshelf speakers crossing over @70Hz to the sub. It sounded pretty good at sane volumes...my room size then was around 14x16x9.
Now I use my sub mainly for HT and have it powered by a bridged Adcom555. But I think for what you are using it for the 535 should be adequate, those 535 had a 3dB headroom.
No, the 12 woofer is not a high mass, heavy magnet beast, not sure what your criteria for that is but I think the application makes it sound much more superior than it looks. Now the megawoofer is a massive beast, with double stacked magnets. I think the coil of the original woofer was 2", and the magnet was about 5" across and about 1 1/4 thick, not whimpy by any standards.
Not sure what the controls are for since I never used the passive crossover.

Wayne1 · « **Reply #6 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 01:04 am »

The VMPS passive sub crossover is so you can run the sub AND mains off of a single pair of amplifier outputs. You would run speaker wires from the amp to the sub and then from the sub to the mains. The passive will filter out the highs from the sub and lows from the mains. The controls are to adjust the level of the main speakers to match the sub.

You will have to take apart the sub cabinet and rewire it to remove the passive crossover from the signal path.

I used to have a pair of Original Subs. I replaced the active and passive drivers. I ended up selling them to Jason (Pez). We did remove the internal crossover components and rewire the subs. We did think they sounded better using an external electronic crossover in place of the passive.

CornellAlum · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Mar 2006, 01:27 am »

Quote from: warnerwh

What you're doing is correct but as stated above more power would be better. Vmps sells an excellent plate amp if you're handy at all with 500wpc for 300 bucks. Just cut the right size hole, screw it down and connect the wires to the woofer and you're ready to adjust the crossover and output. It's a piece of cake.

You found out VMPS has been known for making outstanding subs and speakers for the money for nearly 3 decades. You should hear the current generation of speakers. This is only a suggestion ...

I bought my OE amp used, and it came fashioned in a nice wooden box. I would do the same if you are thinking of going this route. The thought of hacking into speakers is a no-go in my book.

Warner is by far the best vmps fluffer EVER