Subwoofer Crisis: Replace Velodyne DD18 or buy 2 new 12" (SVS, Rythmik, or...?)

[Sal1950]

2. Buy 2 SVS-2000 Pro subs - 12" aluminum cone/1,500 watts. They don't go as low (still maybe 18 Hz?) or have digital servo but have a good app for integration

Yes, buy the SVS-2000s. With proper placement and integration you'll be able to address your room mode issues and get deep bass equal to or better than the Velo. I bought a pair around 4 years back and never been happier.

 

[MediumRare]

Sorry, I meant via a pair of them. I should have made that more clear.

Thanks, yes, those are very good units and an amazing price. I think they're probably bigger than I had in mind. WAF, ya know.

 

[Mort]

You don't have to have matching sizes. A Rythmik F18 and L12 together are about $2800 new. That might be the best of both worlds.

 

[MediumRare]

You don't have to have matching sizes. A Rythmik F18 and L12 together are about $2800 new. That might be the best of both worlds.

I was looking at the F12 just now. 2 of them could easily go down to 14 Hz, I rekon! With speaker-level inputs that's $2500 for the pair. The luxe option I guess.

 

[blueone]

I advised my friend to get a SVS SB-1000 Pro. It is very good for the price, and reallly helped elevate the performance of his system. But, in comparison to my 18" Velodyne, it is not anywhere close, and even with two I don't think they will be on par. The SB-2000 Pro is a small step up from SB-1000 Pro, but I still don't think two of those will get you to what you had with the Velodyne. That is based on me comparing the specs for the SB-2000 Pro to the SB-1000 Pro, and I could be wrong. Nonetheless, multiple subwoofers are better than one at addressing room modes.

Agreed on every point. We use an SB1000 Pro in our modest HT room, and it works great for the dramas my wife usually watches, along with an occasional action show. Not every use model needs 120db at 20Hz. I use a 2014-vintage SB1000 for my desktop system, and since I'm sitting essentially next to the sub the amount of deep bass that thing generates still surprises me after all these years. And it's never failed. (Getting the sub to match seamlessly to the primary AudioEngine A5+ speakers on each side of the monitor was a PITA. EQ was a requirement, and OmniMic was very useful with test tones.) On the other hand, in my 8000 cu-ft++ primary listening room, I'm very skeptical that a couple of small subs can recreate the ability to create the impact and "air shaking" the combination of the Salon2 woofers and ports and the DD18Plus do. I dread the day when the Velodyne dies again, and I have to re-optimize the system below 150Hz.

 

[MediumRare]

In the end I went with 2 Rythmik F12s and will also get the Velodyne repaired - will end up costing about $1,000 for that, including shipping. The kicker for me is the multi-subs to help tame my wicked room mode; the F12 goes down to 14 Hz so I expect two of them will provide the slam.

I will be putting the Velodyne DD18 up for resale so anyone who wants first crack at it, please DM me. With refurb electronics should be terrific.

 

[Chris Brunhaver]

In the end I went with 2 Rythmik F12s and will also get the Velodyne repaired - will end up costing about $1,000 for that, including shipping. The kicker for me is the multi-subs to help tame my wicked room mode; the F12 goes down to 14 Hz so I expect two of them will provide the slam.

I will be putting the Velodyne DD18 up for resale so anyone who wants first crack at it, please DM me. With refurb electronics should be terrific.

Well, I think that rythmik subs are good but "slam" is not down at 14 Hz. That is throbbing infra bass range. "slam" is more of a midbass thing.

I would generally recommend a high frequency cutoff and higher damping so that system is less power/excursion limited and can play louder (you'll still get very deep bass too).

 

[MediumRare]

Well, I think that rythmik subs are good but "slam" is not down at 14 Hz. That is throbbing infra bass range. "slam" is more of a midbass thing.

I would generally recommend a high frequency cutoff and higher damping so that system is less power/excursion limited and can play louder (you'll still get very deep bass too).

Agree, the slam element I was referring two was that 2 x 12" should move enough air (at the mid-bass frequencies you mentioned) compared to my current 18" (226 sq in is basically equal to 254 sq in) whereas even a single 15" (177 sq in) probably wouldn't cut it in 4,100 cu ft.

I agree on the settings, as well. I will experiment in my room (verified by REW) to see what I need to get the best low distortion & audible low end and also avoid rattling cabinet drawers/windows, etc. Might decide on two different settings for regular listening and party-level SPL.