I need a subwoofer recomendation


I've got a couple KEF Q900's powered by a Yaquin tube amp and primarily play records. I'm looking for a sub that might also work for movies down the road if I ever put together a surround system. The sub needs to have speaker level inputs and I'm looking to spend $500-$700. My room is 20x20 with a vaulted ceiling and hard surfaces. I've been looking at the HSU VTF-2 Mk5 and the SVS SB-1000 and SB-1000 pro. Is there anything else I should be considering?

 

On a separate note, if I head down the surround system path, I was thinking of starting with the KEF Q250 or Q650 center speaker to start. Is there something other than KEF I should be looking at that would be a decent match with my Q900's?

jimfoto

The HSU subs are very good in their price category. Buy with confidence. 

HSU and SVS are both solid choices. I have two of the VTF 2 mk5 at present. They are easy to tweak to blend with your speakers and room.I had SVS 1000 in the past but a storm and power surge killed them:-( I liked those just fine and went with a different brand just to try something new.

The SB1000 is a solid choice, but I’d recommend saving up and getting two of them as it’ll improve you’re system significantly, and SVS gives a discount for buying two. Others will probably back me up on this, but whatever sub you get, get two!!!  SVS has a very generous and completely risk-free trial period (including shipping), so you can buy two and return one if I’m wrong.  Why not???  Best of luck. 

I’ve had older HSU subs in my main system for 5-6 years now.  They were discontinued when I picked them up on the used market.  I think they are a pretty good value.  At some point when I replace them,SVS,REL, and Rythmik are on my radar. @soix is correct,get at least two.  

Hsu looks amazing, sounds amazing, never had a problem getting flat to 16 Hz with them in the system. Highly recommended.

In that price range I would look at Hsu subs. Nothing else comes close at that cost. Once you get to the $1400-$1500 price range, Rythmik subs are unbeatable. 

I should say I have no experience with Hsu subs current offerings, but they’re great subs and a great value.  My reason for recommending the SVS SB1000s is that I own an SB2000 and it’s incredible.  It’s stuffed behind my TV and shakes my whole downstairs to the rafters by itself.  Haven’t used it for music, but two SB1000s will get you down to an honest 20Hz (-3dB) so given my experience I doubt you’d be disappointed, and I think their new integration software/app is a big plus.  But if Hsu has something comparable I wouldn’t hesitate to explore that option either. Whatever u do, get two subs.  Best of luck. 

Another recommendation for HSU subs. I have a pair of ULS-15 II subs and have been very happy with them.

you should get a different room, a square room is the worst kind of room for sound that you can get.

I’ve enjoyed several years with a Martin Logan Dynamo 1000 sub. Fills a big room no problem & pretty fast & tight. Works for both music & movies 

If you can stretch you budget a little, Omega subs are great and they look great too 

We have trade in velodyne dd12 list is 5k trade in 800

 

Offers compurixed tuning via dsp control boxand mic

A classic way better sound then a cheap sub 1 owner we can ship we used to sell these new outperforms a 5000 jl fathom f113we can shiphttps://www.soundandvision.com/content/velodyne-digital-drive-dd-12-subwoofer-specifications

 

https://soundapproach.com/velodyne-dd-12-digital-drive-series-subwoofer.html 

 

DAVE and Troy

Audio intellect nj

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Hsu vtf15 is a great theater sub, his hard rumbles and is great for movies. Music didn't use much but. Seemed to stick out in the music. Now  I have rythmik 12inch fs12, using with 1.6 Maggie's and it integrates very nicely. Quick bass clear precise but has no boom boom which is perfect for me just mixes in great. Also wife just dances and never complains with rythmik, but hsu all time turn it down.

Now for theater have no idea what the rythmik will do but it's nothing like svs or hsu. It is just great bass.

There’s the seldom mentioned Sunfire XTEQ, 8,10, or 12 on the used market…they have EQ and run well in tandem if you end up with 2. Yes this is what I have, and I haven’t compared many, just something else to consider.

I use dual Rythmik servo subs F12. Slightly over you price range, great range of adjustments for both music and HT. Highly recommended.

First to get out of the way if you are truly dedicated to your two channel music do not combine it with surround system. Keep them independent of each other. REL is the best in your price range!

I have a REL R-328 and two Rythmik subs. I like and use them all, but I I had to choose, the adjustable phase on the Rythmiks puts them over the top for me, as it permits greater precision in dialing the subs into room acoustics (and expands placement options).

Comments on the Hsu are predominating here, rightly so.  The REL T/7x is a little steep on your budget, but used T/9is are not hard to find, so should also be on your list.  As for the center channel, stay with KEF…the uniformity of dispersion is a huge plus for their line.  Get the best one you can afford.

Rel are good subs, but they are very clean sounding and may not have enough "grit" for home theater rumble.

Hsu might be okay, but be aware that those triangle ports have a lot of port noise.  This sounds like "chuffing" when the woofer moves a lot.

The SVS subs are nice, but I would say they have a particular sonic signature that is popular with the "consumer electronics home theater crowd".  It's sort of a larger-than-life type boomy of sound that a lot of consumers find attractive, but it is not necessarily accurate.  You may still like this sub, however.

For those who want the best sound quality for subs, I generally recommend Rythmik audio.  Ported subs have a meatier and grittier sound for home theater rumble effects.  Sealed subs sound too clean for me (almost like a bass sine wave), but many love them.  It's a personal preference.  The ported LV12F at $719 shipped is an excellent sub for home theater.  They have an accurate realistic response and do not have the port noise chuffing like the Hsu and other subs. 

Example of port noise chuffing on the Hsu:

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/mLVlAm_ZpeA

 

Example of sound from Rythmik LVR12R (rear ported) using same soundtrack:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4mc4CxPiak

 

Hope this helps.

The SVS subs are nice, but I would say they have a particular sonic signature that is popular with the "consumer electronics home theater crowd".  It's sort of a larger-than-life type boomy of sound that a lot of consumers find attractive, but it is not necessarily accurate.

@auxinput What are you basing these assertions on?  I’ve never read any review that says SVS subs sound like this.  Further, I own an SB2000 and would not at all categorize them as “larger-than-life type boomy” sound. 

I  use two  HSU ULS-15 MK2`s, they are a sealed design and work great for music. Hard to beat for the money.

I also use a sealed Revel Ultima Sub-15 to play along with them.

auditroy:

 

I just searched for your Velodyne ad in the 4-sale section and could not find it.

Did you sell it already?

 

DeKay

 

 

What are you basing these assertions on?  I’ve never read any review that says SVS subs sound like this.  Further, I own an SB2000 and would not at all categorize them as “larger-than-life type boomy” sound. 

These are my own listening opinions when hearing SVS subs.  I would not say they are bad sounding, but they do have a unique tone.  I think the Rythmik are more accurate.

I'd agree with HSU, Rhythmk, and SVS, as great sonic value for the money.

I run three SVS sealed for audio now, two SB2000s, one SB3000 and it is tight. I use an old REL Storm III (ported) that rocks a small 13 x 18 TV room and still have a suberb REL B1 (home theater now). REL is great but not for the $ spent when compared to the newer brands our there (pardon me HSU).

["We have trade in velodyne dd12 list is 5k trade in 800

Offers compurixed tuning via dsp control boxand mic

A classic way better sound then a cheap sub 1 owner we can ship we used to sell these new outperforms a 5000 jl fathom f113we can shiphttps://www.soundandvision.com/content/velodyne-digital-drive-dd-12-subwoofer-specifications

https://soundapproach.com/velodyne-dd-12-digital-drive-series-subwoofer.html 

DAVE and Troy

Audio intellect nj"]

Velodyne's fourth subwoofer series, the Digital Drive Series was introduced in 2003 with a new patented driver and method of servo control. David Hall's ground breaking on board Auto and Manual Room Optimization and EQ calibration using an included calibrated microphone and Sweep Tone CD provides an audible and visual view of the in room response of the main speakers beginning at 200Hz and the affects of the subwoofers adjustments through the crossover region and on down to 15Hz to six different memory presets. I believe the initial price for the DD-12 was $2999. 

The Morgan Hill CA. company introduced the completely redesigned DD-Plus series in 2011. A new cabinet and massive servo-less driver design that provides even lower than the .5% THD of the previous DD series while eliminating the servo correction time. 

DD-Plus' Room Optimization was also refined and added the variable drag and drop Frequency Response and Parameters Screen which adjusts Parametric Filter Frequency level / slope as well as changes to Q (bandwidth) Parametric Filter.

Sounds complicated but the visually audible adjustments are simply made from the listening position to closely match the low frequency presentation of the main speakers to the subwoofers crossover region and saved to memory. 

Velodyne Acoustics has been sold to Audio Reference of Germany who currently provides a worldwide network of sales and service. 

https://www.newaudiovideo.com/index.php?main_page=index&manufacturers_id=69

David Hall's Velodyne Lidar develops sensor technology for autonomous applications.