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Post by cheglie on May 9, 2014 15:57:21 GMT -5
www.bostonacoustics.com/US/Product/Pages/ProductDetail.aspx?CatId=HomeAudio(BostonAcoustics_US)&SubCatId=Subwoofers(BostonAcoustics_US)&Pid=RPS1000(BostonAcoustics)This is the subwoofer (above) I have been using for some time. I really like the performance. It looks like a "sleeper" in that it is small, pretty, and puts out HUGE amounts of sound. I place it at the back of my listening room next to the sofa, never know it is there. I am in need of another sub to use in another room with some bookshelf speakers. So, I,m trying to decide if I should 1) Buy a different sub for the bookshelf speakers? 2) Move the one I have to the bookshelf speakers and try something new in my theater area? 3) Buy another one of these, but this sounds kind of boring.... Been reading about HSU, SVS, etc. My curiousity is mostly directed towards a larger driver. 15" is a huge leap compared to what I have. The one I have is a Boston Acoustics RPS-1000, 10", 500 watt RMS, sealed unit. Rated 23hz-150hz. These can be purchased very reasonably from Accessories4less since D&M holdings has Boston Acoustics and Accessories4less sells their refurbished products (although I believe they call them the "Msubwoofer" now). When I look at #'s listed by other manufactures for their subs they don't seem to top mine very easily. You won't find much info on my sub on the net, but the responses I typically get from friends is something like "oh my god"! So, If I make a change I want something like "oh my HOLY god"!! Any opinions?
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Post by pop on May 9, 2014 16:21:53 GMT -5
Well as the number one fan boy for PSA subs I will direct you to my review of the PSA XV15 emotivalounge.proboards.com/thread/35434/psa-xv15-reviewThe newer models the (SE) are showing to be even more powerful and clean. Price/performance I think these subs are unbeatable. They came highly recommended to me from multiple sources. You can't go wrong with any model. I get crazy, clean, deep bass out of mine. if you want even crazier go for the XV30FSE or the Triax. |
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Post by cheglie on May 9, 2014 16:36:58 GMT -5
Thanks for the link pop. That is another company (PSA) I was exploring. Good review. Sounds very nice and I totally appreciate your visuals for size comparison!
HSU ULS-15 is another that I keep going back to. I like the compactness of the HSU while still having a large driver.
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Post by monkumonku on May 9, 2014 16:40:07 GMT -5
Thanks for the link pop. That is another company (PSA) I was exploring. Good review. Sounds very nice and I totally appreciate your visuals for size comparison! HSU ULS-15 is another that I keep going back to. I like the compactness of the HSU while still having a large driver. The XS15se has a 15" driver and costs a couple hundred less than the Hsu. Both make excellent products but the PSA has better pricing, and "free" shipping, too. |
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Post by cheglie on May 9, 2014 16:48:34 GMT -5
So, I am wondering what I could expect in comparison with the sub I currently have and perhaps the PSA?
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Post by pop on May 9, 2014 17:05:39 GMT -5
I am not familiar with your sub. The specs look decent. I would email Tom VIA the website and ask him for a comparison between the two.
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typea
Minor Hero
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Post by typea on May 9, 2014 18:41:20 GMT -5
Is this a music or home theater application? If for music a better option is a mid bass monitor from Hsu to supplement the book shelf speakers on the bottom end. The MBM has a lighter and stiffer driver and will give you better performance than any sub, at least for music applications (it just doesnt go as low as a sub). Is there a reason you are seeking a 15" driver? A 12" driver will do just fine and either Hsu or SVS will give you under 20 Hz performance. Remember a subs' job is to go low and, while 23 Hz is respectable, getting below 20 Hz should really be your goal for home theater applications. Music not so much a matter of low but rather tight snappy performance is what you want. Ironically enough your existing sub is probably a pretty good performer for BOTH music and movies, dual 10" aint bad. My personal opinion, SVS is every bit as good as Hsu but overpriced compared to Hsu, either manufacture would be an excellent choice. Outlaw subs are also designed by Hsu, just throwing that out there in case you find a sale or good deal on one. There is a side benefit to getting another of what you already have, some day you can run them in a dual sub configuration, kinda a nice option for future consideration. A side question, have you treated your corners with bass traps? Before spending money on another sub make sure your room is acoustically in order, you want to get the most out of your system right? Just a thought  |
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Post by cheglie on May 9, 2014 21:35:05 GMT -5
typea,
I don't typically choose a sub just for one or the other, music/movies. I look for one that is a happy medium for both. I always have music playing, or when it is not there, there is a movie playing. I work from home so my system is pretty much in constant motion. You are right. The BA that I have does a pretty good job in both realms.
No, not a specific reason for a 15" sub, just think it is more fun sometimes to go from one extreme to the other and not wonder what a larger sub would sound like.
I also considered using another sub as the one I currently have and using 2 10" subs in the main room. My bookshelf speaker area mostly gets used while falling asleep and is not crucial for a sub. Mostly a good reason to expand the main rooms sub!
The more I research, I do like the idea of the PSA 15. The price is certainly right if it does perform like people say. The Boston Acoustic retailed for about $900 and the new model for $1199. However, as I said earlier there are refurbs for less. Hard to believe the PSA is so good for $799, but hey, not everything great is the most expensive!
Saw a used one of these- Aerial Acoustics SW12 Powered Subwoofer for $1600. I believe they retailed for around $4-$5000 many years ago? I wonder how much technology has changed subwoofers in the last 15yrs? And how this sub would compare to a new lesser expensive sub?
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Post by pop on May 9, 2014 23:45:17 GMT -5
The PSA subs are as good as they sound. I recommend getting the XV15 over the XS it will go deeper for $100 more and stay just as tight as the XS15
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Post by cd on May 10, 2014 11:35:50 GMT -5
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on May 10, 2014 11:39:37 GMT -5
Hemster?  |
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Post by cheglie on May 10, 2014 12:45:30 GMT -5
Yes, no denying.....tremendously good subs. Seems to have it all! |
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Post by cheglie on May 10, 2014 13:28:34 GMT -5
Funny, I was watching the new Hobbit film last night. There is a battle scene towards the end with the Dragon. Lots of action and big sound. I asked myself what I wanted more of out of my sub (I could feel the air in the room moving and my butt vibrating)......quite frankly all I could think was "this lil sucker really performs!"
After reading about all these different subwoofers I may have convinced myself I may not benefit from a "bigger, better" sub. I really wish I could line up all these subs, plop them down in my room, in the same spot, and listen to each and every one of them! I just don't have the experience with differences between them to know what I may be missing, or NOT missing...maybe I could just erase the Boston Acoustic label and pin Velodyne on it one week, then Sunfire the next, then........
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Post by cheglie on May 10, 2014 13:54:57 GMT -5
Just another note here. Something else I noticed after reading the spec sheets. Some of the "most" expensive sub manufactures are not using giant drivers? Velodyne and Sunfire are quite the opposite. Larger amps and smaller drivers? My theatre/living room is not huge. 16x20? Just thinking out loud.
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typea
Minor Hero
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Post by typea on May 10, 2014 15:35:40 GMT -5
Larger drivers, designed to plumb the depths, tend to fall apart when asked to produce above 50 Hz. This is why subs efficient below 20 Hz, and crossed over at 80 Hz, will generally sound like crap when asked to produce music. Home theater, fine. Music, no.
The PRICER subs not only run smaller multiple drivers (to share the workload) but the driver design/material is better also, both aspects help with performance in that 50-80 Hz range. But even then efficiency in design is a fine line between light/stiff (80-50) or heavy/flexible (50 and below) and it will cost you to get the best of both worlds (like $1300 each, and thats on the used market). Also keep in mind that often the best location for bass production is NOT the best location for mid bass performance. So while my pair of subs and MBMs were $1200 for each pair, producing those frequency bands in separate boxes, from separate locations, is a big benefit that even the best expensive sub cant touch. In my case that 12' for the subs (farfield) and 6' for the MBM (nearfield) from my prime seating location, my room is 13' by 22'.
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Post by cheglie on May 14, 2014 10:18:18 GMT -5
Been in contact with PSA, Tom Vodhanel, and sure does seem like a great co. and guy. He has taken his time to ask questions about my set-up and give advice.
However, that aside I just had a thought this morning and googled DIY subwoofers. Any thoughts on this? What is a good way to go in this realm?
BTW if I buy a "pre made" sub it is coming from PSA.
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Post by Kent on May 16, 2014 13:05:42 GMT -5
Hello All,
A great sub that can only be found on the used market is the JM Lab Electra SW 900. It has a very high quality 13" w-sandwich cone woofer, well built cabinet and amplifier. I don't remember specs off hand but it does sound great!
Kent
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Post by cheglie on May 17, 2014 11:44:16 GMT -5
I decided to go with PSA and this is the sub I ordered www.powersoundaudio.com/collections/power-x/products/xv15seI shall see what I got myself into soon! Kent, I'm sure that is a great sub. As you can see from my profile I am a fan of the company! I am still in the "not sure if I believe it" phase of whether or not the PSA can perform like claimed, for the price offered. After communicating w/Tom Vodhanel I feel good about giving his product a try however. And others on this forum seem to support the co. |
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Post by pop on May 17, 2014 11:49:26 GMT -5
Fantastic choice good sir. That is a solid piece of equipment. |
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