bingenito, my opinions were based upon comparing a 12" def-tech sub in my vaulted-ceiling 26x28 kitchen, w/a 10" velodyne dd sub. music only. not critical listening. the velodyne was pretty worthless. the def tech is a *lot* better. it is actually worth listening to. the velodyne was ~$1200, iirc
Please define worthless.
Based on all of the ultra clean subs I have built or heard I notice a trend.
The less distortion and room modes the less apparent it is that a sub is in the room. To me that is the way it should be. Flat response to 20Hz but unless you see the sub in the room you should not even know it is there because it draws no attention to itself.
I should also note that really clean subs hardly ever sound loud. A different way of putting it is they can sound like they lack output because you are not hearing what you are used to hearing (distortion and room modes).
In summary there is perceived output and there is measurable output/distortion/ in room response. In most cases the two will be very different.
Use a sub with multiple low distortion drivers (TC Sounds, Peerless, Lambda, Adire), little to no port noise, cabinet resonance and a 3 band PEQ to get in room response flat (I.E. eliminate room modes). Once that is done use an RTA to get the sub(s) aligned perfectly with the main speakers.
I will bet that the sub (s) does not sound as loud but will shake the structure of your home and you will feel the low end response in your furniture.
