sub recommendations for Maggies?

Rob S. · « **on:** 26 Oct 2007, 03:56 pm »

HI,
I've got the urge to ugrade my single ported HSU cylinder shaped sub/ 250 watt amp to something new. I trying to get cleaner sounding bass, and hopefully better integration with my small magnepans ( also considering bigger maggie mains, too ) I have a dedicated well treated audio room. Musical sub preferred over a super high output HT type bass. Unless they come together in one sub.

Price could be $1500 give or take a few hundred. NEW OR USED.

Short list has:
1) ACI's Titan or Force or maybe a pair of them @used prices?
2) Av123's line ( I'VE been told the Hot rodded 12" might be the way to go- but AV123 has none- most backordered )only their super budget sub that I think is more HT related? correct?
3) Vandersteen 2Wq with the multiple smaller drivers- would three 8" have quicker bass than a 10 or 12" sub?

Any others or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Rob S.

slbenz · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 04:34 pm »

Quote from: Rob S. on 26 Oct 2007, 03:56 pm

HI,
I've got the urge to ugrade my single ported HSU cylinder shaped sub/ 250 watt amp to something new. I trying to get cleaner sounding bass, and hopefully better integration with my small magnepans ( also considering bigger maggie mains, too ) I have a dedicated well treated audio room. Musical sub preferred over a super high output HT type bass. Unless they come together in one sub.

Price could be $1500 give or take a few hundred. NEW OR USED.

Short list has:
1) ACI's Titan or Force or maybe a pair of them @used prices?
2) Av123's line ( I'VE been told the Hot rodded 12" might be the way to go- but AV123 has none- most backordered )only their super budget sub that I think is more HT related? correct?
3) Vandersteen 2Wq with the multiple smaller drivers- would three 8" have quicker bass than a 10 or 12" sub?

Any others or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Rob S.

Rob,

You may also want to look into a Velodyne or Martin Logan sub as well. Currently, Audio Advisor has a special going on with a Velodyne SPL-1500R that has the built-in mic to blend the sub to your system. Much less than your budget. Here is the link: http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=1VESP1500R. I currently have a Magnepan IIIa home theater system running with a single Velodyne HGS-12 sub that integrates extremely well with the big Magnepans. I used to own the Magnepan 1.5 and 0.5 speakers. The Velodyne didn't have a problem with integration with those speakers and the 0.5 is very similar to your 0.6 that you currently own. Do to the nature of Magnepans, you are probably better off selecting a sub that uses a sealed enclosure vs. a ported one for quick, tight bass that can keep up with the Magnepans. Hope this information helps.

Slbenz

bpape · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 04:41 pm »

I think the ACI would be the best bet from your list. I've heard it with Maggies and it's a real nice combination. Exactly the kind of musical sub you're talking about.

Bryan

Jazz and Baroque · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 07:15 pm »

Has anyone listened to Genelec subs?? One model got a good review in Stereophile. The smallest model in their line has a distortion percentage of less than 4%. I rarely see any other sub manufacturers list the distortion percentage. And I like that the Genelec sub is under 50 lbs. I can reasonably expect to pick it up. Now I just need some assurance that it is "musical."

Mike

BRILEY804 · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 07:47 pm »

PM sent.

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 10:14 pm »

I stopped with the sub BS when I got a stereo pair of TBIs. http://www.musicalsubwoofers.com/ They really have to be used in ones system to see the advantages and extreme musicallity they bring. They are supe easy to integrate and it is spooky how they present the information as if they were actually coming out of the mains. They wont rattle your gut or have you ducking from kick drums like those direct radiatiors the others are suggesting. They are the ultimate for anything but are really special with stats.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 11:34 pm »

Which Hsu cylinder do you have, a TN series or one of the older ones?

Berndt · « **Reply #7 on:** 26 Oct 2007, 11:57 pm »

Duke of Audio Kinesis makes a set of subwoofer modules that he calls the swarm.
They are designed for maggies and I have a set that I like very much.
They are 1500$ new.
Hopefully he will pop up here and fill in any questions you might have?
If you are in my area (san francisco), I would be happy to loan them to you so you could try them in your rig.
Regards, Bill

Jazz and Baroque · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Oct 2007, 08:05 pm »

Quote from: pbrstreetgang on 26 Oct 2007, 10:14 pm

I stopped with the sub BS when I got a stereo pair of TBIs. http://www.musicalsubwoofers.com/ They really have to be used in ones system to see the advantages and extreme musicality they bring.

The TBI website makes them sound really interesting. I could go through a Marchand crossover. I have a Class D pre amp/power amps in the closet that could drive stereo subs. The only control that I would be missing is a phase adjustment to match up with the primary speakers at the crossover frequency.

Mike

BRILEY804 · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Oct 2007, 08:18 pm »

did you check your pm ?

dawkimi · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Oct 2007, 09:21 pm »

I've used an ACI Force with Maggie MMG's, MG12's, and MG 3.6's and was pleased with the results.

satfrat · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Oct 2007, 09:51 pm »

Quote from: Rob S. on 26 Oct 2007, 03:56 pm

HI,
I've got the urge to ugrade my single ported HSU cylinder shaped sub/ 250 watt amp to something new. I trying to get cleaner sounding bass, and hopefully better integration with my small magnepans ( also considering bigger maggie mains, too ) I have a dedicated well treated audio room. Musical sub preferred over a super high output HT type bass. Unless they come together in one sub.

Price could be $1500 give or take a few hundred. NEW OR USED.

Short list has:
1) ACI's Titan or Force or maybe a pair of them @used prices?
2) Av123's line ( I'VE been told the Hot rodded 12" might be the way to go- but AV123 has none- most backordered )only their super budget sub that I think is more HT related? correct?
3) Vandersteen 2Wq with the multiple smaller drivers- would three 8" have quicker bass than a 10 or 12" sub?

Any others or suggestions?

Thanks in advance.

Rob S.

Rob, you never mentioned the size of your room, that plays a big part in your needs for a 10" , 12", or even a 15" sub or subs. I have a smallish 11' x 17' x 7' room and 1 ACI Force XL fits me fine. A little bigger room may benefits from dual Force XL's. If you have the room, then the Titan might better serve you.

Robin

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #12 on:** 29 Oct 2007, 08:08 pm »

Mike, The pahse isnt an issue unless the sub will be positioned near the listening chair. I never use the phase at all and minor placement moves can compensate anyway. The TBIs are a different animal than traditional subs when it comes to set up. Its very easy

nodiak · « **Reply #13 on:** 29 Oct 2007, 08:32 pm »

The Rythmik subs are worth looking at. I use a single 12" with open baffle speakers, excellent match sonically - no mud, boom or sloppiness. Articulate just like they say they are.

http://www.rythmikaudio.com/

Don

OK I'll say it - I also have a pair of lightly used 12" drivers used in ACI Titan for sale - $200 obo (selling because I moved to a smaller place where the Rythmik works better). I bought them from Meniscus Audio who have been supplying speaker parts for years. You would need to get amps (Rythmik has good ones) and build cabs (3 ft3 recommended).

Jazz and Baroque · « **Reply #14 on:** 29 Oct 2007, 08:37 pm »

Quote from: pbrstreetgang on 29 Oct 2007, 08:08 pm

Mike, The pahse isnt an issue unless the sub will be positioned near the listening chair. I never use the phase at all and minor placement moves can compensate anyway. The TBIs are a different animal than traditional subs when it comes to set up. Its very easy

I've was reading about the TBI subs this weekend. There was a link to a review that said the TBIs are very fast and very musical, and work well with electrostatic speakers. Interesting that the reviewer had to place a 25 lb. lead brick on the speaker to kill a resonance. But that's okay. I like the idea of a 15 lb. sub-woofer.

What crossover frequency are you using??

Mike

crossroadazn · « **Reply #15 on:** 29 Oct 2007, 08:53 pm »

How about REL subs ? Very popular with Maggies.

Angaria · « **Reply #16 on:** 1 Nov 2007, 03:23 am »

second the Rythmik servo sub suggestion

KCI-JohnP · « **Reply #17 on:** 1 Nov 2007, 01:38 pm »

I used to own Maggies and the sub I decided on was the ACT Titan II LE and it worked beautifully. I no longer have Maggies but now the sub does duty with Martin Logans and again, it blends in perfectly with the M.L.'s. I love the Titan and highly recommend it.

Now, I have heard Pbr's TBI subs and I have to admit they are something else. The sound they produce is very hard to describe as they do not sound like
a conventional sub. Totally different than the usual boom boom boom, they are fast and extremely musical. He once brought them over to my home and we hooked them up along side my Martin Logan Odyssey's.....wow! Very subtle yet....filling. They are fast and blend wonderfully. Highly recommend them and if I was to buy a sub again it would most likely be the TBI's.

Regards,
John

Imperial · « **Reply #18 on:** 1 Nov 2007, 09:50 pm »

www.wraithspeakers.com have panel subs for some 1500 a piece.

Called The FPS32 and they go down to 10hz.
Imperial

pbrstreetgang · « **Reply #19 on:** 1 Nov 2007, 10:41 pm »

Mike, It is true they are sometimes just too light and require a weight to not "float" on carpet. I have hardwood floors and sometomes use a weight but not usually. At least at the levels I listen at. They are an odd bird that really works and sounds like your speakers go down lower with more authority though not chest pounding like a seperate sub.

PS Those flat panel subs look cool- will have to read up on them