Subwoofer Comparison

[rlal]

Check out the subwoofer index thread on this forum. If has a link to all the subs that have been tested so you can see the performance and price of each. SVS and monoprice monolith are good performing good value subs. You can be safe going with either of them and just pick the one that matches your budget and space constraints best. Large ported subs get very big and heavy fast as you go up in size so definitely make sure you pick one that isn't to large for your room. I have 2 SVS sb-2000 in my room and together they are flat to 20hz in room measurements.

My current sub is sealed and I was wondering is it okay to mix it with ported. Based on my experience I felt sealed better for music.
I have checked the excel. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[rlal]

SVS SB16-Ultra https://www.svsound.com/products/sb16-ultra

I did compare the measurements and I felt SVS has less output compared to HSU and Rythmik sub.

 

[rlal]

The Monolith Subs were ALL given incorrect numbers. Audioholics who did the testing made their error public yet some Speadsheets like SweetChaos that your referring to still have the outdated wrong measurements.

Also all of those measurements are inflated by 3dB from the source which use Anechoic data. So make sure to double check the numbers from the actual sources.View attachment 431340

Will check Audioholics website.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

I did compare the measurements and I felt SVS has less output compared to HSU and Rythmik sub.

Also make sure the Subs are in production still...the majority of Subs on that spreadsheet are no longer even in production. As for Tonewinner subs they are pretty new, released last year. They havent been tested by Audioholics and the like. Currently (Spec of Tech) on youtube is the only one showing their numbers. With his in-room measurements. Here is a spreadsheet i've produced as im currently in the market for a pair of Subs myself.

Keep in mind that SVS & Tonewinner both have the latest Apps which you can use to control your Sub and is a very handy tool. Monolith may be fine Subs but their still outdated when it comes to the latest tech. Hope this will help you out.

Note ignore the SVS PB12 Plus/2 as that is the only Sub not in production. I added it to my list because its my current Subwoofer and i wanted to see how it compared to new subs. Personally im getting two Tonewinner D6000's, their price to performance is unmatched.

 

[rlal]

Also make sure the Subs are in production still...the majority of Subs on that spreadsheet are no longer even in production. As for Tonewinner subs they are pretty new, released last year. They havent been tested by Audioholics and the like. Currently (Spec of Tech) on youtube is the only one showing their numbers. With his in-room measurements. Here is a spreadsheet i've produced as im currently in the market for a pair of Subs myself.

Keep in mind that SVS & Tonewinner both have the latest Apps which you can use to control your Sub and is a very handy tool. Monolith may be fine Subs but their still outdated when it comes to the latest tech. Hope this will help you out.

Note ignore the SVS PB12 Plus/2 as that is the only Sub not in production. I added it to my list because its my current Subwoofer and i wanted to see how it compared to new subs. Personally im getting two Tonewinner D6000's, their price to performance is unmatched.
View attachment 431379

Thank you for the details. But this only shows the output at 20Hz? It will be a good idea to look at the output and distortion for CEA-2010.I know it is not available for all the subs. I am interested more in mid base than sound output below 20Hz. I am keen to know about the effect of distortion, ideally distortion should be as low as possible but not sure how in real life those numbers effect.

 

[rlal]

Based on the measurement it looks like Rythmik FV25 and FV15 is the best but both are ported and cost for FV15 with 1000W amp is around 1930$ and with spike it will cost additional 75$. For sealed sub HSU ULS-15MK2 looks good but JTR Captivator is the best sealed but again cost around 3000$.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

View attachment 431458

Based on the measurement it looks like Rythmik FV25 and FV15 is the best but both are ported and cost for FV15 with 1000W amp is around 1930$ and with spike it will cost additional 75$. For sealed sub HSU ULS-15MK2 looks good but JTR Captivator is the best sealed but again cost around 3000$.

View attachment 431458

Based on the measurement it looks like Rythmik FV25 and FV15 is the best but both are ported and cost for FV15 with 1000W amp is around 1930$ and with spike it will cost additional 75$. For sealed sub HSU ULS-15MK2 looks good but JTR Captivator is the best sealed but again cost around 3000$.

The Rythmik FV25 is discontinued and the JTR is over budget $3700. The HSU ULS15 is the right price and budget but under performs. That VTF 15 is also discontinued. I used 20hz & 31.5hz because im crossing over my Subs to my mains at 40hz. What upper bass freqencies are you curious about? These reading would tell you which Subs are the best for Movies. Music is usually 50-80hz. But in all honesty if a sub performs well at those lower frequencies, then usually they would easily handle mid bass. So not much would change in the order of the Subs.

 

[rlal]

The Rythmik FV25 is discontinued and the JTR is over budget $3700. The HSU ULS15 is the right price and budget but under performs. That VTF 15 is also discontinued. I used 20hz & 31.5hz because im crossing over my Subs to my mains at 40hz. What upper bass freqencies are you curious about? These reading would tell you which Subs are the best for Movies. Music is usually 50-80hz. But in all honesty if a sub performs well at those lower frequencies, then usually they would easily handle mid bass. So not much would change in the order of the Subs.

I am more interested in 30 to 60Hz. Most ported subs have high performance at low frequencies below 50Hz but not too high output above that or there is high distortion.
My Revel F328Be goes deep but to have better bass uniformity in room I thought to add one more subwoofer.
I am looking for punch and impact over rumble.

Which speaker you are using for left and right?

 

[AnonymousAudio]

View attachment 431464

I am more interested in 30 to 60Hz. Most ported subs have high performance at low frequencies below 50Hz but not too high output above that or there is high distortion.
My Revel F328Be goes deep but to have better bass uniformity in room I thought to add one more subwoofer.
I am looking for punch and impact over rumble.

Which speaker you are using for left and right?

Distortion under 10% is considered to be inaudible for Bass generally due to the Auditory masking effect and sensitivity. Our ears are far less sensitive at lower frequencies. Unlike mids & highs at 1%THD.

This extremely detailed Article explains this in-depth: https://www.audioholics.com/loudspeaker-design/audibility-of-distortion-at-bass

 

[gabo4au]

View attachment 431464

I am more interested in 30 to 60Hz. Most ported subs have high performance at low frequencies below 50Hz but not too high output above that or there is high distortion.
My Revel F328Be goes deep but to have better bass uniformity in room I thought to add one more subwoofer.
I am looking for punch and impact over rumble.

Which speaker you are using for left and right?

Wow, you have a pair of 328Be's and you don't already have enough mid-bass! I need to come hang out and listen to some tunes at your place

For what it's worth, I have a couple of HSU ULS-15's and my opinion is they are fantastic. I'm not sure what setting produces the curve above, but it has a "Q control" setting that allows you to tweak the curve, either giving you more low bass or more output in mid bass, etc. So that curve is going to look different depending on how that's set.

 

[rlal]

Wow, you have a pair of 328Be's and you don't already have enough mid-bass! I need to come hang out and listen to some tunes at your place

For what it's worth, I have a couple of HSU ULS-15's and my opinion is they are fantastic. I'm not sure what setting produces the curve above, but it has a "Q control" setting that allows you to tweak the curve, either giving you more low bass or more output in mid bass, etc. So that curve is going to look different depending on how that's set.

You are welcome anytime. As you know we audiophiles want something more. Where are you located?

I also heard the same opinion from another friend. I have heard HSU sub in Axpona and was impressed.
My one confusion is to go with TN1 version or ULS-15. Since my current sub is sealed I am thinking of going with sealed version.

 

[gabo4au]

You are welcome anytime. As you know we audiophiles want something more. Where are you located?

I also heard the same opinion from another friend. I have heard HSU sub in Axpona and was impressed.
My one confusion is to go with TN1 version or ULS-15. Since my current sub is sealed I am thinking of going with sealed version.

I'm in MI. Yes, we're always looking for more. I like the sealed version better as well. But then again I'm more of a Music fan than a Movie fan. And I like the size of the ULS-15, basically an 18" cube so pretty small actually. I do enjoy great movies, but I think explosions and helicopters sound great without exaggerating them too much. As you correctly pointed out, the punch is more important to me than the really low end.

I do agree with a Sub with the 328Be, they list the -3db point at 35hz, but I think that's a stretch. It does need a bit of support. But wow, those are some incredible speakers!!

Another point is that if you have room modes down there, and everybody does unless you've done some serious room design, then you can help mitigate them with multiple subs. Two ULS-15s would most likely not even approach their max output unless your ears were bleeding, but properly placed along with the 328s and you'll smooth out some room modes and it will sound incredible. IMHO... With that type of equipment, the room is the key. If you get the room performing correctly it'll be hard pressed to be improved upon.

 

[rlal]

I'm in MI. Yes, we're always looking for more. I like the sealed version better as well. But then again I'm more of a Music fan than a Movie fan. And I like the size of the ULS-15, basically an 18" cube so pretty small actually. I do enjoy great movies, but I think explosions and helicopters sound great without exaggerating them too much. As you correctly pointed out, the punch is more important to me than the really low end.

I do agree with a Sub with the 328Be, they list the -3db point at 35hz, but I think that's a stretch. It does need a bit of support. But wow, those are some incredible speakers!!

Another point is that if you have room modes down there, and everybody does unless you've done some serious room design, then you can help mitigate them with multiple subs. Two ULS-15s would most likely not even approach their max output unless your ears were bleeding, but properly placed along with the 328s and you'll smooth out some room modes and it will sound incredible. IMHO... With that type of equipment, the room is the key. If you get the room performing correctly it'll be hard pressed to be improved upon.

I am in MI too. Lets meet some time.

Your preference for bass and mine seems to be exactly the same. I hate the vibration and boominess in the room. As of now I don't have those but feels bass can be improved.
When I do DIrac I see lot of room modes (dips in sub measurement) Hence I am thinking of adding one more sub.

328Be need some support for good low end because of high sensitivity of speaker. Speaker is very good.

I am getting more inclined to ULS over TN1 because my current sub is Rythmik made by Salk and it is sealed. Not sure how well it will sync with ported TN1.
At present I dont use subwoofers for my stereo setup.

 

[rlal]

I would like to know from HSU-TN1 VT5 model users how it is performing? Since it is a ported sub does it have any port chuffing?
Would like to know about overall performance of HSU-TN1 VT5 subwoofer.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

I would like to know from HSU-TN1 VT5 model users how it is performing? Since it is a ported sub does it have any port chuffing?
Would like to know about overall performance of HSU-TN1 VT5 subwoofer.

That HSU TN1 sub wasnt compeditive so i didnt include it in my list. Heres the results from Audioholics. The lesser VTF-3 beats it easily. Im not sure why the TN1 is their flagship model...

 

[rlal]

Umm okay.
Did you compare performance with all frequencies, I mean from 12.5 to 125 Hz?
I think VTF-3 MK5 doesnt have XLR if you want to use with good processors.

 

[AnonymousAudio]

Umm okay.
Did you compare performance with all frequencies, I mean from 12.5 to 125 Hz?
I think VTF-3 MK5 doesnt have XLR if you want to use with good processors.

Yes I have researched all the frequencies, this is a simplified version. Also im crossing over at 40hz cause I have capable enough speakers (SVS U.E Pinnacles). This is a Home Theater application and it isn't my first rodeo in setting up a system. It seems your more interested in a mid-bass setup for Music unlike myself.

 

[rlal]

Yes I have researched all the frequencies, this is a simplified version. Also im crossing over at 40hz cause I have capable enough speakers (SVS U.E Pinnacles). This is a Home Theater application and it isn't my first rodeo in setting up a system. It seems your more interested in a mid-bass setup for Music unlike myself.

I am not too much in to rumble and room shaking bass. For your requirement you need a good sub with good low end performance.
You can llok at JTR, Rythmik FV15 and Tonewinner model you mentioned. All the best.
For my case I ordered HSU ULS -MK2. Was thinking of VT1 but it is too tall for my space.

 

[rlal]

Next upgrade I am thinking of getting Arcam processor and power amp. Hope they will release a new one soon.
I like there Class G amps.

 

[thunderchicken]

Next upgrade I am thinking of getting Arcam processor and power amp. Hope they will release a new one soon.
I like there Class G amps.

I really liked my Arcam stereo gear, but went with Anthem when it was time to upgrade my HT.