Musical Sub

lextek · « **on:** 13 Aug 2004, 01:09 am »

I've rediscovered speakers. I spent a tour of duty with high end headphones, now I'm back. Here's what we've got Arcam FMJ-33T, Musical Fidelity C3.2 Int, Von Schweikert VR-1s with Kimber Heroes and 8TC. The sound is very, nice. I'm wondering about adding a sub or switch floorstanders.

Vinnie R. · « **Reply #1 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 02:14 am »

Quote from: lextek

I've rediscovered speakers. I spent a tour of duty with high end headphones, now I'm back. Here's what we've got Arcam FMJ-33T, Musical Fidelity C3.2 Int, Von Schweikert VR-1s with Kimber Heroes and 8TC. The sound is very, nice. I'm wondering about adding a sub or switch floorstanders.

Chet,

Where in CT are you from? I have a brand new Dayton Audio Titanic III
10" sub built (sealed, tight musical bass) that I am going to put up for sale. My wife does not like it in the living room

If you live close enough to Worcester, MA and want to borrow it, let me know... vinnie822 at yahoo dot com

-Vinnie

zybar · « **Reply #2 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 02:16 am »

Quote from: lextek

I've rediscovered speakers. I spent a tour of duty with high end headphones, now I'm back. Here's what we've got Arcam FMJ-33T, Musical Fidelity C3.2 Int, Von Schweikert VR-1s with Kimber Heroes and 8TC. The sound is very, nice. I'm wondering about adding a sub or switch floorstanders.

If you like VSR, Nathan at 8thNerve is having a very good sale on his VSR inventory. Could be a chance to get a good deal and move up the food chain.

George

Tyson · « **Reply #3 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 02:32 am »

Stereo subs is the way to go, far more musical than a single sub. Of all the subs I've heard, by far the most musical were the VMPS New Original subs.

lextek · « **Reply #4 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 02:32 am »

Got a link? 8thnerve?

zybar · « **Reply #5 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 02:40 am »

Quote from: lextek

If you like VSR, Nathan at 8thNerve is having a very good sale on his VSR inventory. Could be a chance to get a good deal and move up the food chain.

George

Got a link?[/quote]

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=12297

Not sure what he has left.

George

Captain Humble · « **Reply #6 on:** 13 Aug 2004, 04:35 am »

Another option if you like.

I've been very happy with my ACI Titan IILE.
ACI subs enjoy a reputation for being very musical.

Mike now has a forum on AudioCircle.
First listing under Audio Manufactures.

http://www.audioc.com/

Good luck in with your search.

ohenry · « **Reply #7 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 12:37 pm »

TBI makes a line of subs that are very musical. They take a different, low-mass approach to making bass. They're very quick and tuneful, and the small size is nice.

They're probably not the choice for in-your-face home theater listening, and that speaks volumes regarding their bass quality IMO.

doug s. · « **Reply #8 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 01:31 pm »

Quote from: lextek

I've rediscovered speakers. I spent a tour of duty with high end headphones, now I'm back. Here's what we've got Arcam FMJ-33T, Musical Fidelity C3.2 Int, Von Schweikert VR-1s with Kimber Heroes and 8TC. The sound is very, nice. I'm wondering about adding a sub or switch floorstanders.

per my comments in yer vr-2 vs 1.6 thread, imo a pair of subs will improve most *any* speakers. unless, of course, the speaker is awreddy set up w/subs built in.

and, i agree w/marbles - a pair is mandatory for audio. i also think it's hard to beat vmps for performance - *especially* considering the price. even compared to cost-no-object subs, the vmps' are extremely competitive.

but, for size - original vs smaller vs larger, i think the room size should be the determining factor. i can tell you from 1st-hand experience, that the vmps larger subs are *extremely* musical. the only subs i've ever heard that are as musical are part of a mega-bucks full-range speaker system:

the bass from a pair of sub towers w/six 12" servo-controlled drivers per channel *is* awesome.

doug s.

ABEX · « **Reply #9 on:** 16 Aug 2004, 02:57 pm »

I think HSU VT-3 is the best sub for under $1K. Was talking to an owner that is very knowledgable last night.I did pick that sub as the one I will buy next.

Good luck!

Eric · « **Reply #10 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 06:38 pm »

I am going to add a vote for ACI subs. I have owned the Titan and now own the LFM's. They are fast and musical

Red Dragon Audio · « **Reply #11 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 09:03 pm »

I cast my vote for Vandersteen 2WQ though you can't use it in your setup. You need seperates or at least some way to access between the pre and amp of your integrated.

The V2W might work for you but it's geared more for movies and has quite a bit more output. I still think it sounds awesome for music and you could get away with just one (though I always like having two subs).

Nosferatu1923 · « **Reply #12 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 09:30 pm »

R_burke · « **Reply #13 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 09:39 pm »

REL

Probably overkill for your system, but definitely a musical sub

Levi · « **Reply #14 on:** 17 Aug 2004, 10:15 pm »

If you have a chance, audition a REL sub-system. Link to REL website

jym · « **Reply #15 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 03:21 pm »

I've heard that some subs are difficult to integrate with the VR-1. You may want to checkout the Von Schweikert VRS-1. There is also a review on the VRS-1 at enjoythemusic.com

doug s. · « **Reply #16 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 04:16 pm »

considering you can buy a pair of vmps subs, a decent amp & a marchand x-over for the same $$$ or less, than a pair of even the small small rels (or velodynes), i don't see how anyone would ever consider this type of sub. one of the big adwantages to subwoofing is being able to actively cross over your monitors so they don't see that last octave or two. rels/velodynes don't work well in this configuration. and, even if the vmps system *was* more money, it still sounds better, regardless of cost! yust my opinion, of course.

doug s.

Rory B. · « **Reply #17 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 04:48 pm »

yeah, I was gonna say, that VMPS is widely reputed to be among the most musical subwoofers available. You'll probably like the VMPS New Larger Sub.

http://www.vmpseurope.com/e/p-sub.htm
When you read how much VMPS Designer Brian Cheney knows about the role of subwoofers in a sound system and the design of powerful yet musical subwoofers, you just have to trust the guy. He invented his own bass loading, the Slot-Loaded Passive Radiator.

This is the Larget Subwoofer with the optional 12" Woven Carbon Fiber "Megawoofer", a beast of a driver with a double-stacked magnet structure, WCF cone, and natural rubber surround. The Phase Plug in the center eliminates high air pressure below the dust cap and simplifies the design. The Megawoofer has a 16mm one-way excursion. You can see the passive radiator on the bottom. It fires into that coupling chamber which is formed between the base and the floor, and the output exits through the slot. That other driver is a 15" polycone woofer. Now you can get that woofer Megawoofer'd as well since VMPS now offers the 15" Megawoofer option.

If you decide on any VMPS models (Original Sub featuring 12" woofer and 15" Passive Radiator, 215 Sub featuring 15" woofer and 15" Passive Radiator, or Large Sub with 12" and 15" woofers and 15" Passive Radiator) then head on over to the VMPS Forum here on AudioCircle and look at the dealer list. The VMPS website is in the process of being revamped. In the mean time, all the stuff is on AudioCircle.

Amplifier Power: Get a QSC Audio RMX850 amplifier and bridge it into a mono amp. Then strap the two woofers of the Larger together for a 4-ohm load. You'll get a good 600w of power. Then just use an active crossover before the QSC.

doug s. · « **Reply #18 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 06:02 pm »

rory, that sub looks like it awreddy has the megawoofer 15" driver. no carbon fibre offered yet in 15".

much as i like my pair of larger subs, (older upright style, which i actually prefer to the more waf-friendly low-boy style), i would rather have a pair of original subs than a single larger sub, unless future upgrade to two subs is planned - two subs is mandatory for best results, imo. good results *can* be had w/only one sub, if it's directly centered between the monitors, but two is still better... room size should determine whether smaller/original/larger is the best bet - ask brian cheney if yure not sure.

here's a pic of one of my upgraded-with-megawoofers upright larger vmps subs:

doug s.

ctviggen · « **Reply #19 on:** 19 Aug 2004, 08:15 pm »

I've always had problems when trying one sub, but it's because I can't stick it between the speakers. If I stick it to the side, I can tell where it is, even if I cross over fairly low (<80 Hz). Personally, I would only go with subs if I had two, each one placed near a speaker.