KH Audio PR:O subwoofers

[q3cpma]

Just discovered this brand's models offering good value with the only downside being that they have a PA tuning (no sub bass) and the usual rudimentary phase invert switch. These are extremely rugged PA subwoofers made in Germany using balanced I/O and providing a variable (75-150 Hz) high passed line level output for active speakers. Look at these two models, for example:
* Premium PR:O 18 Sub A, 18" woofer, 600W RMS amplifier, 800€, F3 48 Hz, F10 38 Hz, max SPL in half-space 128 dB (@10% THD)
* Premium PR:O 210 Sub A, 2 x 10" woofers, 600W RMS amplifier, 680€, F3 60 Hz, F10 40 Hz, max SPL in half-space 126 dB (@10% THD)
The 18" seems almost usable in a non-PA setting.

See https://hkaudio.com/produkt-kategorie/premium-pro-en/ and https://www.thomann.de/intl/hk_audio_active_subwoofers.html for more.

 

[witwald]

Referring to the Premium PR:O 18 Sub A, the F3 of 48 Hz is not what one would like in a subwoofer. These speakers seem to have been designed specifically with maximum SPL in mind, and I expect that's probably why their low-frequency extension is quite limited. Keep in mind that the lowest note on an electric bass guitar (4-string variety) is typically 41.20 Hz. This particular subwoofer isn't even flat down to that frequency (F10 38 Hz). In comparison, much more bass extension can be achieved by the MartinLogan Dynamo 1100X powered subwoofer (product details), which has specifications of Frequency Response 22–200 Hz ±3 dB, anechoic in LFE mode. Even the MartinLogan Dynamo 800X powered subwoofer, which uses a 10" driver, has specifications of Frequency Response 24–200 Hz ±3 dB, anechoic in LFE mode, although its maximum output level will be more limited than that of the 1100X.

 

[andreasmaaan]

This is a well-known PA brand here in Germany (it's HK bt ). They provide pretty comprehensive measurements of their speakers, which is very welcome. Haven't heard/measured their subs, but as @witwald mentioned, they are probably not ideal for home audio due to their mid-bass oriented tunings.

 

[hege]

The 18" seems almost usable in a non-PA setting.

I don't see how HK Audio or this sub in particular differs from any other quality PA brands like JBL to warrant a separate thread? "Almost usable" is also kind of vague. Either it works for the intended purpose or it doesn't. Not playing much under 40hz, it's a high SPL bass as all the others. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Might as well get something like JBL SRX835P for full range, which is discussed on many threads.

 

[q3cpma]

Well, I was kind of excited by the rare variable crossover knob, but in retrospective, this is a pretty useless thread.