help a n00b choose a subwoofer

eg1 · « **on:** 26 Jan 2010, 01:16 pm »

OK, finally got the HT set up in the temporary location while the fireplace-surround work gets completed. Now I need help choosing a subwoofer, please.

The current system is:

LG55LH40
Onkyo TX-SR707
old Cerwin-Vega HEDs as L/R fronts
not-as-old Cerwin-Vega LS-6C center

Down the road I am seriously considering replacing the L/R with some Magnepans (and probably the center as well, since I am led to understand that mis-matched speakers across the front are an issue) -- please keep that in mind when recommending a sub.

Thanks in advance!

bpape · « **Reply #1 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 03:07 pm »

Budget?

Getting something to keep up with the Maggies will be a lot more critical than trying to match the existing CV's. Not many subs will do it.

Bryan

MaxCast · « **Reply #2 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 03:16 pm »

Hi eg, what Maggies are you considering?
What kind of budget are you looking at for the sub? Can you diy?

JackD201 · « **Reply #3 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 03:35 pm »

RELs can keep up pretty well with Maggies and Quads.

*I am in no way associated with REL, just a happy customer

mcgsxr · « **Reply #4 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 04:04 pm »

I can assist eg1 with any DIY work he may need, in terms of sub, but I suspect that WAF will play a role in this.

What about the used market - up for that? Lots of savings to be had that way too.

Can you comment on % of use for music vs movies? That might drive some of the decision too.

A friend of mine from University has a Paradigm Servo 15, and it is quite an experience with movies (and this from a confirmed basshead). I did not hear it with music. Roughly 2K new, http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/159900-paradigm_servo_15/ - here is one right here in Burlington...

Review here - http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/paradigm-servo-15-subwoofer-7-2005-part-1.html

eg1 · « **Reply #5 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 05:46 pm »

Thanks all!

In terms of new L/R I was thinking the MMGs. As for budget, I really have no idea as I am new to this whole thing. Hell, I haven't bought a new speaker since 1985 ...

Regarding the movie vs. music question, while we will watch more tv/movies, my priority in terms of performance is the music.

mcgsxr · « **Reply #6 on:** 26 Jan 2010, 10:32 pm »

Well, it may have been a long time since you last invested in speakers, but you will have to give some thought to what you are looking to drop this time around - the subwoofer market pretty much runs the full spectrum from $100 to $10,000!

Here are a couple of threads with Maggie and sub Q&A.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=699470

http://www.hometheaterforum.com/forum/thread/165692/magnepan-subwoofer-suggestions-please

http://www.hometheatershack.com/forums/home-audio-subwoofers/24727-magnepan-mmgs-subwoofer.html

eg1 · « **Reply #7 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 12:39 am »

OK -- to narrow things down a bit, I am looking to pay up to $1500

eg1 · « **Reply #8 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:08 am »

Quote from: mcgsxr on 26 Jan 2010, 04:04 pm

I can assist eg1 with any DIY work he may need, in terms of sub, but I suspect that WAF will play a role in this.

What about the used market - up for that? Lots of savings to be had that way too.

Can you comment on % of use for music vs movies? That might drive some of the decision too.

A friend of mine from University has a Paradigm Servo 15, and it is quite an experience with movies (and this from a confirmed basshead). I did not hear it with music. Roughly 2K new, http://www.canuckaudiomart.com/details/159900-paradigm_servo_15/ - here is one right here in Burlington...

Review here - http://www.hometheaterhifi.com/volume_12_3/paradigm-servo-15-subwoofer-7-2005-part-1.html

Slight quibble -- the one in the ad is v1 and the review is v2. Is there a significant difference?

mcgsxr · « **Reply #9 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:18 am »

They revised 3 times, more power each time as I recall. That price may not be perfect, and there are some other 15's to consider on Canuck - I would be looking for a sealed sub to match the mains you intend to hunt down, were it my decision.

The Paradigm is one such example, and the servo technology is interesting too.

There are also Velodynes to consider.

What are the other folks recommending?

TomS · « **Reply #10 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:32 am »

Rythmik F12SE or D15SE http://www.rythmikaudio.com/products.html or the custom versions of the Rythmik-based servo-subs built by Jim Salk with passive radiators. He can do over the top WAF with great performance too.

electricbear · « **Reply #11 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:39 am »

I don't usually recommend buying used stuff but in this case I'll make an exception.
Find a used JL Audio. Fast enough to keep up with the Maggies and enough bass to rock your world.
Yes I do work for a JL Audio dealer but I don't have any used ones. These things eat Velodyne DDs for dinner and yes we are a Velodyne dealer. I have yet to hear anything to compare.

Marbles · « **Reply #12 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 03:50 am »

Quote from: TomS on 27 Jan 2010, 03:32 am

Rythmik F12SE or D15SE http://www.rythmikaudio.com/products.html or the custom versions of the Rythmik-based servo-subs built by Jim Salk with passive radiators. He can do over the top WAF with great performance too.

+1

Totally agree

eg1 · « **Reply #13 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 04:48 am »

Mucking about online I have stumbled upon the following:

Martin Logan Abyss
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLABYSS

Rythmik Audio F15
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html

REL T1
http://www.rel.net/index2.htm

ACI Titan
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/titanxl/titanxl.htm

It's all rather bewildering ...

mcgsxr · « **Reply #14 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 11:47 am »

I have heard the ML and the REL (there is an REL dealer in Dundas, not far from Burlington), and I have heard a 12 inch servo model from Rythmik. The ACI has a great rep.

There is not a bad one in the bunch you have isolated eg1.

Availability, finish, and total cost would be the decision makers out of this fine quartet, were it me.

cujobob · « **Reply #15 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 01:14 pm »

If you're able to place several subs around your room, get 3 $500 subwoofers. The bass you can get from multiple subs will better anything else for musicality.

If that's not an option, I'd do one or two servo subs from Rythmik. They're as quick as you can get for a sub, sound amazing, are inexpensive, reliable, and quite small for the output.

Good luck in your decision.

rockadanny · « **Reply #16 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 01:23 pm »

For most folks I'd recommend a sealed sub, like an ACI Force or Titan. However, to match your speakers I might suggest this instead, supposedly a very fast sub:

TBI Magellan VIP powered:

http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homesubw&1269136722&/Tbi-Magellan-VIP-powered-sub;-

TomS · « **Reply #17 on:** 27 Jan 2010, 02:17 pm »

Quote from: eg1 on 27 Jan 2010, 04:48 am

Mucking about online I have stumbled upon the following:

Martin Logan Abyss
http://www.audioadvisor.com/prodinfo.asp?number=MLABYSS

Rythmik Audio F15
http://www.rythmikaudio.com/F15.html

REL T1
http://www.rel.net/index2.htm

ACI Titan
http://www.audioc.com/speakers1/titanxl/titanxl.htm

It's all rather bewildering ...

The ACI would be limited to resale since Mike at ACI has, after a long run of great products, decided to move on. I have both ACI Titans and Rythmik and both are great choices.

Note Rythmik is also available from Ascend Acoustics as an OEM as well as GR-Research's own version if you want to build your own.

NagysAudio · « **Reply #18 on:** 28 Jan 2010, 01:03 am »

I will also have to recommend the REL subwoofers. They work extremely well with a variety of speakers, including the Magnepans. To start with, you can find a used REL Strata II, or Strata III for $500-$600 on www.audiogon.com it's a fantastic subwoofer.

drphoto · « **Reply #19 on:** 28 Jan 2010, 01:46 am »

Definitely consider running multiple subs. I'm not talking about stereo, but distributed subs to even out room interactions. The Geddes theory, and it works. The subs don't have to match in size or brand. And yes the Rythmik/GR servo's are the cat's pajamas. The OB version is quite affordable, as it doesn't require an expensive enclosure.