2. speakers
  3. 142468-120474

Back to the drawing board

I hate to start this again. I really had my heart set on 2 svs sb3000. But know after careful listening or maybe this time around I realized what was happening.  So I went to best buy just to re evaluate my decision and noticed I did not like what I was hearing.  Thus time around I had a couple of hours and has my significant other with me, oh no what we heard totally ruined our previous thoughts.  In one room I listened to the rel t9i and the svs sb2000.  The svs had the out put but not the detail and it really hurt the mid range and uppers. Lower base was not full or detailed. Now the rel, wow it just blended really nice and was full, detailed and just sounded right. I'm thinking to myself this can't be right. So off to the other room, svs sb 4000, 16 ultra and the rel s5. Now again the svs has the output or pressure. But the s5 totally beats both of them on detail, disappearing,  tight,  full and more sound stage. I went back and forth between these 2 rooms, playing the same 2 tracks I have always demo with. I know my ears would not lie. So now unfortunately I am reading again. I am considering 2 t9i or 1 s3.  I think I will also demo the JL e110 and paradigm defiance x12.  Wish I could demo a rymthik,  but don't know any places to demo. I will make the trip and one place has the JL and rel. 5 miles further down I can demo the x12.  I now know the sound I want and unfortunately it's not svs with its great price and impressive output. I'm sure the subs are great, but not what me and the ms want in our system.  Has anyone demo JL and rel side by side?  I love the rel sound, is paradigm or rymthik as tight as rel. I've never listened to JL.  I guess a road trip is due. Room is 8ft ceiling 14x24, hardwood floors. Thanks for any help you can give. Pete
pcc67
gdnrbob
4,411 posts
 
@tomic601 
+1, as always.
I was going to mention the sub 3's, but you beat me to it.
If the OP has the 2wq's, I think he should try them before getting the SVS or REL. The crossover makes it so easy and seamless, at least to me.
Plus, the Vandy's are built like tanks. The 2w's I have for sale are still fully functioning despite being a bit long in the tooth.
If you do pursue the Vandy subs, Johnny Rutan (audioconnection) can give you some guidance.
Bob
audiokinesis
2,716 posts
 

Adjusting the controls on the subwoofer amp for best performance is critical; a mis-adjustment can easily make much more of a difference than the variations among competent subwoofer brands.  Here is the sequence I generally suggest:

1.  Adjust the level of the sub(s) to blend well with the mains;

2.  Adjust the lowpass filter frequency of the sub(s) to get a better blend;

3.  Adjust the phase to get an even better blend;

4.  Go back to step 1 and cycle through these steps a couple more times.

This sequence was suggested to me by an award-winning acoustician, Jeff Hedback.  These steps are included in the setup guidelines for the subwoofer system I make. 

Setting the level is especially critical because the ear is quite sensitive to differences in SPL at low frequencies.  A 3 dB mis-match at 40 Hz is comparable in audibility to a 6 dB mis-match at 1 kHz.  And to make matters worse, the relative level of bass energy on the recording can vary significantly from one recording to the next.  So it is not unusual to occasionally tweak the level of the sub(s) long after the initial setup session. 

Duke

alucard19
355 posts
 
Find someone near you that has an HSU VTF-3 MK5 that will let you listen to it.If you like the SVS subs then you will really like the HSU sub.Check out their reviews online. VTF-3 MK5 HP Subwoofer

pcc67 OP
226 posts
 
First off, I want to thank everyone for all the help and tips, I really do appreciate everything. I am still doing my road trip tomorrow because it will be fun and I am addicted. Lol. I think I will hook up my vandys 2wqs when I get home from vaka. It's been 18 yrs since hook up and I think I forgot how.  I will hook them up with my spare amp and book shelves just in case something goes wrong.  Don't want to ruin the new equip..  Unfortunately I dont know any audiophile people in my area and if feels like a lonely road to audio heaven.  I did go to the gik website. I think I will make some diy bass traps. I have full work shop, another one of my hobbies.  I appreciate any guidance on the vandys I can get.  Again thanks for help, keep it coming. I will update you all on my trip tomorrow on the subs i demo. But I think you are all correct by saying that I need to bring my vandys to life once again. Pete
pcc67 OP
226 posts
 
Thanks Duke, I never really understood how to setup a sub.
More to discover