what's a good sub that matches well with Maggie 1.7's?

[djreef]

[/quote] though I'm still leaning toward the svs sb13u, and probably will wait till I can get the dual deal.   [/quote]

Ya, you really couldn't go wrong with a pair of those monsters.

DJ

[entropymann]

Anyone ever mated a Maggie MMG/1.7 with something like an Emotiva Stealth 8? I know that the treble can be muted on the Stealth line. So the woofer would be active, then paired with the Maggies. I would love to try this option. This way, one can get the "best" of both worlds...a little oomph from the cone and ethereal mid and highs from the Maggies.
I'm thinking about getting a pair of MMG just to try this out. Sometimes, I don't think that a sub would do all that well in all situations because it doesn't go high enough.

[klinemj]

I am getting serious on a sub. Looked at Rhythmik, SVS, and PSA so far. The built-in EQ of all of them is pretty limited, so I'd have to rely on Dirac to do its thing (or REW for a more manual setup).

If I am going to make a change from my Paradigm Ultracube 10, I need:
1) sufficiently deeper bass that it's worth the change...FWIW...my room is about 17' wide by 28' deep.
2) control that is nice and tight...not bloated or "one note" (which I have with what I have...just not very low freq...)
3) decent looks (not ugly)

For cost...I don't really care much...seeing lots of options for <$2000, and I won't quibble between $500 and $2000. I just want what sounds good.

So far, the best of the Rhytmik and SVS look "ok", and what has my interest is the PSA S3600i....other than its finish and that it has no built-in EQ and no XLR connections. (I'd prefer XLR.)

Any thoughts?

Mark

[jamco]

Sept 27, 2015 17:10:52 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I am getting serious on a sub. Looked at Rhythmik, SVS, and PSA so far. The built-in EQ of all of them is pretty limited, so I'd have to rely on Dirac to do its thing (or REW for a more manual setup).

If I am going to make a change from my Paradigm Ultracube 10, I need:
1) sufficiently deeper bass that it's worth the change...FWIW...my room is about 17' wide by 28' deep.
2) control that is nice and tight...not bloated or "one note" (which I have with what I have...just not very low freq...)
3) decent looks (not ugly)

For cost...I don't really care much...seeing lots of options for <$2000, and I won't quibble between $500 and $2000. I just want what sounds good.

So far, the best of the Rhytmik and SVS look "ok", and what has my interest is the PSA S3600i....other than its finish and that it has no built-in EQ and no XLR connections. (I'd prefer XLR.)

Any thoughts?

Mark

Mark,

(reposted with more details)

I've not heard the Rhythmik, SVS or PSA subwoofers.  You may want to look at a used Velodyne Digital Drive 12 (DD-12) or DD-15 subwoofer. I purchased my DD-12 new a few years back for a larger room, but it also works well in my current man cave (19 x 11 feet). While this is not Velodyne’s current model, it provides considerable EQ control and does a great job of reproducing both instruments and special effects (e.g. explosions). It has five listening modes you can preset plus an EQ defeat; I’ve configured and use one mode for music/sports (e.g. tight servo control) and one for movies (e.g. relaxed servo control to allow more distortion during effects).

The DD-12’s frequency response is 17 - 120 Hz, the amplifier is rated at 1250 watts RMS (3000 watts Peak), it has an XLR input, doesn't look half bad and turns on consistently with my XMC-1's remote trigger. I barely use the power of this subwoofer. My main amplifier is 200 watts RMS x 5 and my main speakers go down to 26 Hz.

I prefer to manually adjust the Velodyne DD-12 Real Time Analyzer (RTA) versus self-EQ. The DD-12 includes a calibrated microphone and the software runs within the DD-12. The RTA’s 8-band, parametric equalizer enables you to adjust the frequency, level, and Q value for each band as real time sweep values and control settings are displayed on your HDTV. While there's no substitute for proper subwoofer placement, if your Maggie 1.7's cutoff frequency is at 40 Hz, you should be able to create a flat frequency response with 8-bands of control between 15 and 40 Hz. Once completed, I fire up my XMC-1’s DIRAC EQ with my microphone stand and UMIK from CS and then later apply my house curve. While I’m pleased with the overall sound, I still continue to experiment and look forward to changing a few things up after the XMC-1 firmware v3.1 is released this week.

If you must have the current model, you can get Certified Refurbished DD-12+ from Velodyne for $2900.

Good luck!

-jamco

[klinemj]

Thanks for the info...will look into it!

Mark

[Jean Genie]

Dec 29, 2014 17:45:47 GMT -5 Cogito said:

I absolutely love my SVS PB12 NSD with my 1.7s. A fantastic combo. It's no longer available from SVS, but it was replaced by the very similar (if not improved) PB-2000. I have it crossed over at 70Hz. Seems to noticeably enhance the dynamics of the Maggies. They certainly can play quite a bit louder without any strain whatsoever.

+1

[deltadube]

Jan 3, 2015 18:21:16 GMT -5 garbulky said:

Jan 3, 2015 17:57:16 GMT -5 jutta said:

I have twin PSA XS30's that replaced a single SVS PB12 plus
The XS30's are much better with music I've found.
With movies its a toss up. The XS30 does go deep and it thumps unlike anything else I've heard but the SVS is low. It rumbled deep.
For mine I'd go either a pair of XS30's if sealed preferred. If ported I'd step up to the SVS PB13 Ultra
Either way you're winning
The SVS looks better and I don't like the side panel controls and cord placement of the xs30 but that's what you get with twin driver 15" subs, but gotta love their output

I spoke with Tom at PSA and I mentioned how impressive even a single XV15 in a large room was. He urged me to also check out the sealed versions in smaller rooms as he felt they were pretty impressive.

seal subs are very impressive from psa.. I have a pair..

[klinemj]

Anyone try the 3600 I mentioned above?

Mark

[geebo]

Sept 27, 2015 17:10:52 GMT -5 klinemj said:

I am getting serious on a sub. Looked at Rhythmik, SVS, and PSA so far. The built-in EQ of all of them is pretty limited, so I'd have to rely on Dirac to do its thing (or REW for a more manual setup).

If I am going to make a change from my Paradigm Ultracube 10, I need:
1) sufficiently deeper bass that it's worth the change...FWIW...my room is about 17' wide by 28' deep.
2) control that is nice and tight...not bloated or "one note" (which I have with what I have...just not very low freq...)
3) decent looks (not ugly)

For cost...I don't really care much...seeing lots of options for <$2000, and I won't quibble between $500 and $2000. I just want what sounds good.

So far, the best of the Rhytmik and SVS look "ok", and what has my interest is the PSA S3600i....other than its finish and that it has no built-in EQ and no XLR connections. (I'd prefer XLR.)

Any thoughts?

Mark

If going with a single sub, Dirac should handle EQ just fine. And if you wanted additional control outside of Dirac, a miniDSP is quite capable and inexpensive. I wouldn't sweat not having EQ built in to the sub.

[vneal]

ANY JL Audio. I would use no other sub

[Cogito]

Sept 29, 2015 20:32:41 GMT -5 vneal said:

ANY JL Audio. I would use no other sub

Then you'd miss out on some fantastic subs.

[deltadube]

Sept 29, 2015 20:32:41 GMT -5 vneal said:

ANY JL Audio. I would use no other sub

lots of better subs out there...

[vneal]

Well all the reviewers must be wrong also.


I understand the envy out there

Read up buttercup

[Cogito]

Sept 30, 2015 17:49:03 GMT -5 vneal said:

Well all the reviewers must be wrong also.


I understand the envy out there

Read up buttercup

Indeed, JL Audio does get great reviews. Considering their cost, they should. Here's the thing Buttercup, so do the likes of SVS, Hsu Research, REL, Golden Ear, Power Sound Audio, etc., etc., etc.

[klinemj]

Upon close look, the Rhythmik F15HP looks pretty good relative to the PSA 3600i.

While it only has a 600W amp & 15" driver (vs. 1700 W & dual 18"), it goes to a comparable low frequency and is also servo controlled. As a bonus, I'm not too thrilled with the finish on the PSA...looks kind of cheap/industrial. And, at about $500 less (even with the optional XLR inputs on the Rhythmik), the price is a lot better. And, for a little more $ within the Rhythmik family, I could go the FV15HP (ported version of the F15HP)...any thoughts there?

What do folks think about the Rhythmik vs. the PSA?

And, comparing an SVS SB13-Ultra vs. either of those...the SVS seems in between on cost, and the only advantage of the SVS is the 2 memories (vs. 1) for the PEQ and a slightly more powerful amp.

Thoughts?

Mark

[klinemj]

Upon further reading on subs and options from Rhythmik and SVS, I am beginning to wonder if a 13.5" or 15" is enough for my room.

I am hoping some folks could comment on this aspect. As noted, my room is ~17' wide by ~28' deep. Ceilings are just under 8'. So, call my room about 3800 ft3 - which according to one site I found calls it a "large" room (with only rooms >5000ft3 fitting in the "very large" category).

I listen mostly to music and typically not at really loud volumes - but I do occasionally like to pump it up. And, for music, I do want impressive bomb blasts/explosions (esp. like those physics-defying light and sound-filled explosions in space on sci-fi movies!)

I am liking Rhythmik for its servo controlled subs - I keep reading how they are nice and tight bass (which I love...hate bloated or muddy bass). But, the F15HP only has 600 W, and I wonder if that's enough for my room and overall needs.

The PSA S3600i has more than ample power (1700 W) and dual 18" drivers...but I worry that those big 18" drivers may be a bit floppy/not as tightly controlled as the Rhythmik servo controlled. And, the finish borders on ugly (not even counting WAF...even to me, it's a bit ugly).

The SVS SB-13 Ultra gives more power than the Rhythmik, but gives up driver size and lack of servo control. On the + side, there's a used one for sale here...

Then, I noticed the Rhythmik F25 has 2 (vertically stacked) 15" drivers and 800 W of Hypex power...but I never see folks here comment on it at all. EDIT: Just found that member pitbullmike bought one "way back" when they came out and only had 600 W powering them. It was helpful to read his thoughts...any others?

Any more thoughts on my dilemma? It seems like there are just so many choices in subs and I know subs can have a major +/- impact on a system.

Mark

[restless]

I have two of the PSA 1500 subs, and picked them up when they first came out. At that time, they were only available in the Satin Black that is now available on the 3600i units. The finish is not that bad, from 8-10 foot away, during the daylight, it is basically a black box. Closer up, you can see the black texture. However, at night with low lighting (projection movie time), there is no reflection from anything. I do not have to worry about the WAF factor, so cannot comment on that. Even the 15's are big units!! The 18's would be even larger objects.

For my application, they seem to be more than enough. But I have too many subs, that only get used in Movie reproduction or when listing in 7CH Stereo. Having set these up with DIRAC and then just bumped the adjustment a bit, they are wonderful with the XMC. And the sound is definitely different with DIRAC. Seems tighter overall, and mixes well with the Mag 1.7's. For movies, the Mag 1.7 are the main L/R speakers run from XPA-1's. For normal stereo, the 1.7's play with a B&W 750 sub (1000w)via a XSP-1. So, I actually run several subs when in movie mode. LSA-15 have two built in subs (powered by XPA-1 each), and with a XPA driving those as rear channels, I get some sub re-enforcement from those as well. The front speakers consist of MAG 1.7 for L/R, B&W 704 for Center channel (XPA-2), and the B&W 750 sub in the middle, the PSA 1500 on far sides of the Mag 1.7's.

I have no issues with the PSA 1500 (725w ICE each), and I listen to a lot of bass heavy music, and like to feel the bass when in Movie mode.

In my case and environment, I have tried the MAG 1.7 with the B&W 750 sub alone, the MAG 1.7 with the S1500 subs only, the MAG 1.7 with the combination of all subs and the 704 speakers/Polk LS15 speakers. All work. The MAG 1.7 still provide that high end accent and clarity, even in 7CH Stereo. (2 CH across all speakers). Just in the full speaker mode, you are surrounded by music, all at the same level, and all corrected via DIRAC. The room disappears, and only the music is left.

I keep thinking of trying the PSA 3600, just for fun, and see what 2 of those would accomplish. There is a chance, that I would only need 1.

PSA does offer a 30 day trial period. Try the PSA 3600, and let us know.....

[klinemj]

So, I am starting to lean toward the Rhythmik. After talking w/the folks at Rhythmik, they are recommending the FV15HP over the F15HP or F25 due to the size of my room. The FV15HP is ported, and that initially turned me off - but they say I should not be concerned about the ports. I confess I am a bit concerned, but they are more expert than I am (and they are trying to talk me into the lower cost model...surprising!).

It does have 1.5 dB more output at 20 hz, and they say "the FV15HP will rolloff slowly below the tuning frequency (12Hz or 18Hz). The F25 won’t benefit from room gain because the depth in (my) room is more than 20 ft so rolloff at 14Hz will be very fast compared with the FV15HP."

Anyone have any thoughts on either of my 2 finalists?

Mark

[klinemj]

Hello? Anyone?

Fv15hp vs. F25...Bueller? Anyone???

Mark

[klinemj]

ansat do you have any thoughts on my final options?

Mark