Best small subwoofers with near-20Hz performance?

[radio3]

I’ve been making do with subwoofers that perform well down to around 28Hz for years and can’t take not having that bottom half octave anymore.

However, I also live in a small flat with a modern scandinavian decor that really doesn’t accommodate huge black boxes. What I’d really like is to have 3 small white subwoofers working In coordination to finally give me that 20Hz performance. I can’t seem to find anything, though.

I thought about trying to get some KEF R400bs, but I’m not so sure they‘d really give me more extension. They do fit the bill in every other way, particularly with the opposing woofers making it possible to stow one or two up high on bookshelves or something.

I also thought about some Rythmik L12s, but the shipping to Europe is crazy, like $500 or something just for one pair.

Im all out of ideas. Anyone have any more?

 

[ppataki]

SVS SB-1000
I have them in dual (stereo) setup
They are closed hence have really tight, precise and controlled bass

 

[TimVG]

I’ve been making do with subwoofers that perform well down to around 28Hz for years and can’t take not having that bottom half octave anymore.

However, I also live in a small flat with a modern scandinavian decor that really doesn’t accommodate huge black boxes. What I’d really like is to have 3 small white subwoofers working In coordination to finally give me that 20Hz performance. I can’t seem to find anything, though.

I thought about trying to get some KEF R400bs, but I’m not so sure they‘d really give me more extension. They do fit the bill in every other, particularly with the opposing woofers making it possible to stow one or two up high on bookshelves or something.

I also thought about some Rythmik L12s, but the shipping to Europe is crazy, like $500 or something just for one pair.

Im all out of ideas. Anyone have any more?

Grab some buttkickers and isolate your sofa.

 

[jtwrace]

What is your max space available? I'd say the PE Ultimax 18 but that might be too big. It's very simple DIY and they ship worldwide probably for a decent price.

 

[radio3]

SVS SB-1000
I have them in dual (stereo) setup
They are closed hence have really tight, precise and controlled bass

The frequency response curve on SVS’s web site shows them rolling off quite a bit higher than their other subwoofers. Is that not how they actually perform? It seems to me they wouldn’t be a big improvement over my current sharp roll off at 28Hz. I considered SB-2000 Pro but they’re pretty close to my upper limit on size and don’t seem to be available in white, violating my no preponderance of ponderous black boxes all over the room rule.

 

[CDMC]

Rythmik L12.

 

[radio3]

Rythmik L12.

I described the reason I don’t have Rythmiks in the first post. I could buy them, but would have to pay something like $800 to ship 3 of them. It’s hard to believe that no one else makes a good small subwoofer. On the other hand, if anyone knows a good place to find them second hand in Europe then problem eliminated.

 

[morpheusX]

How much do you want to spend?

Considering you're in Europe, have you looked on Arendal subs?

Depending on your budget:
- https://arendalsound.eu/tech-specs-1961-subwoofers/#1961-SUBWOOFER-1S-SPECS
- https://arendalsound.eu/tech-specs-1723-subwoofers-legacy/#1723-SUBWOOFER-1-SPECS

 

[hege]

Arendal 1961 Subwoofer 1S? Ticks all my boxes, if DIY was not option.. pretty and slim against the wall..

 

[pozz]

It's very expensive, but the Grimm Audio LS1s-dmf is great for the size.

 

[ppataki]

The frequency response curve on SVS’s web site shows them rolling off quite a bit higher than their other subwoofers. Is that not how they actually perform? It seems to me they wouldn’t be a big improvement over my current sharp roll off at 28Hz. I considered SB-2000 Pro but they’re pretty close to my upper limit on size and don’t seem to be available in white, violating my no preponderance of ponderous black boxes all over the room rule.

In my room the -3dB point is 20.5Hz

 

[Chromatischism]

I described the reason I don’t have Rythmiks in the first post. I could buy them, but would have to pay something like $800 to ship 3 of them. It’s hard to believe that no one else makes a good small subwoofer. On the other hand, if anyone knows a good place to find them second hand in Europe then problem eliminated.

Have you considered buying the driver and amp kit and making the box?

 

[Chrispy]

In europe might look at BK Elec and XTZ sub offerings. White and small I have no idea

 

[jhaider]

No idea about European pricing, but JL Audio E110 gets low with great SPL for its size. Downside is limited top end, which limits integration possibilities. I like a sub to be at least flat to 300Hz.

I’d probably look for a local specialist who uses known good drivers (such as Peerless XLS/XXLS/ScanSpeak Discovery) and high power amps.

 

[jcebedo11]

Sunfire subs have strong bass down to 25hz. at 11" cube. its not 20hz though.

 

[Harmonie]

Just came across this
https://paducahhometheater.com/products/svs-sb16-ultra
I'm not at all in HT.
Given the massive coil, I just wonder what it's worth though (sonically, the price I know 2k!).

 

[napilopez]

What's your budget? Did you consider the KF92? If you can find a way to obscure the subwoofer or work around the black, the KEF KF92 is claimed to reach down to 11hz and is tiny for that extension at only 35 x 33 x 36 cm.

Of course it can't reach that low at the claimed max SPL of 110dB, but at least one measurement shows a pair of KF92s hitting a comfortable 20 hz at about 100dB from the reviewer's seating position.

Actually, the measurements shows the pair hitting 10Hz at 100dB which is pretty insane. But I haven't seen many corroborating measurements.

Either way 20hz at typical listening volumes seem totally plausible.

 

[Blumlein 88]

I'd go with the bass shakers someone already mentioned. On your chair, sofa or what have you. Bass you can FEEL.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/bass-shakers/3524

 

[Harmonie]

@napilopez
Is your message for me ?
It's not my priority to look for a subwoofer now, but I was just wondering about that animal ..

I don't undesrstand your graphic.
Would it mean that the KEF F92 has SPL80 at ... 4Hz ???

I just found below graph which seems more realistic IMHO

 

[Harmonie]

I'd go with the bass shakers someone already mentioned. On your chair, sofa or what have you. Bass you can FEEL.
https://www.parts-express.com/cat/bass-shakers/3524

I can get cheaper at Disneyland