Which sub would you get?

[mtaz]

My listening area

The area behind the sofa is about 12 x 12 with a 9 foot ceiling.

I've pretty much narrowed my search to either a Rythmik L12 or a Hsu ULS-15 Mk2. I chose these because both companies have a good reputation, and these are about the cheapest subs of their size.

The Hsu 15" is about $400 more with shipping. I'm getting just one sub for the time being, but I may decide to get a second one later. So if I go with the Hsu, 2 subs would be $800 more.

I'll be controlling them with a Wiim Ultra. The mains are Ascend Sierra-LX. They will be used for music only for the foreseeable future. I listen to mostly rock, with some jazz and occasionally classical, at moderately loud to loud volumes.

Do you think the 12" sub will be adequate, or should I spend the extra $400 for the 15"? At $1034 shipped, it's at the limit of my current budget, but doable if it's a substantially better option.

 

[Keith_W]

1. The maximum SPL of a subwoofer depends on its swept volume (cone area multiplied by excursion). All things being equal, the 15" sub will be louder than a 12" sub.
2. Multiple subwoofers are better than a single subwoofer because you can distribute them around the room and get the most even bass possible. Multiple subwoofers also mean higher maximum SPL.
3. How much SPL you need depends on your room volume and preferred listening level. Nobody knows how loud you like to listen.

If it were me, and if I were budget constrained, I would go for multiple 12" subs.

 

[mtaz]

I just got my annual raise and bonus, so I thought about going with the Hsu 15"... but I think that might be overkill (if there is such a thing with subwoofers) for my needs. Pretty sure I'm going to pull the trigger on the L12.

 

[Penelinfi]

The other consideration is how large the box is. Once you have a large black box in place it may be fairly noticeable in room decor let alone two of them. Especially if it's one of those "long" subs like I've seen with certain SVS

 

[mtaz]

The other consideration is how large the box is. Once you have a large black box in place it may be fairly noticeable in room decor let alone two of them. Especially if it's one of those "long" subs like I've seen with certain SVS

For better or worse, I don't have to worry about WAF. It's OK with me if my audio stuff dominates the decor, but given the size of the space, I'm not sure that I need a ginormous sub. Unless I can find one for a really great price, of course.

 

[middlemarch]

Get the HSU, they are some serious subs. I have two in the Rosenut finish. Awesome subs. WAF approved whether you need it or not.

 

[richard12511]

Can't go wrong with either. HSU and Rythmik are both best in class at most price points imo.

Two 12"s are better than one 15", due to smoother overall response, but one 15" will beat one 12". Two 15"s will definitely beat two 12", but also take up more space.

 

[mtaz]

I ordered the L12 last night. $659, no tax and no shipping charge.

I was planning to get the black oak, but I hesitated until they were out of stock. I'm not crazy about the black matte, but I'm not waiting until the end of May, when the black oak will be back in stock.

 

[mtaz]

Get the HSU, they are some serious subs. I have two in the Rosenut finish. Awesome subs. WAF approved whether you need it or not.View attachment 432031

Those look really nice

Unfortunately it looks like Hsu no longer offers that finish. I ended up going with the Rythmiks, but if those had been available I would have been sorely tempted.

 

[jtwrace]

Those look really nice

Unfortunately it looks like Hsu no longer offers that finish. I ended up going with the Rythmiks, but if those had been available I would have been sorely tempted.

The Rythmik's are a great sub. I have four of them in my system. I recently did an interview with Brian of Rythmik which you can watch here.