Bought Emotiva BasX S12

[Haribabu]

Thanks all!

I was in the lookout for a sub in 30k range and was keen to check out new BasX Series. Went to HT Store and only S12 was there in demo. S10 yet to come. It was connected to Denon AVR and we played few demo tracks. Fronts were Dali new series floorstanders. Overall we were happy when played few music tracks and movie parts.

Velodyne impact and Taga looked quite smaller units when placed near Bas X S12. The build quality of Emotiva was much superior.
S10 MRP is 32k, S12 is 39K. All the stock is expected only after GST billing.
I have bought the S12 for 33k with 3 yrs warranty. It was just unpacked for demo for a week. Front grill, manual all in fresh cover itself. So it is like brand new only with little breakin happened for a week. Did not want to pay more after the new billing rule. I found this price much reasonable for a 12inch 300W sub and took the subwoofer home !

I have connected the sub in my setup and the initial impression is just awesome !!!

This is the spec from the user manual
Amp : High efficiency class D
Power : 300Watts RMS
Frequency response: 25Hz - 200Hz ( +/-3db)
Inputs : LFE or summed left and right, unbalanced
Controls : Crossover, Phase, Volume
Dimensions: 17.25inch high x 16.75inches wide x 18.25 inches deep.
Weight : 22Kg ( 48.5 lbs )

The bass port is slot type on rear.

Build : The build quality is excellent compared to the other subs in this price bracket. The rear panel is simple with minimal control. Power mode switch has On, Auto and Off. Very heavy and size is huge.

RX-V477 subout is connected to S12 with bluerigger subwoofer cable.
Sub setting:
Placement: Placed infront of Front L. I don't have space on either side of L or R.
Volume : 50% ( 12'0 clock position)
Phase : 0
Crossover : Maximum ( LFE )

Ran YPAO and AVR set the parameters:
Sub : Use
Front : Large
Center : Small
Cross over : 100Hz

Sub level : +2.5db

Listened to few songs and I have changed the sub level to +5 db, Fronts to small keeping the sub volume 50% itself. Cross over kept at 100Hz ( Will experiment the recommened 80Hz ).

Music: After changing the level I had the feeling that diamond 220 has become so huge and the sound stage was too good. I couldn't make out the bass was from subwoofer, rather I felt the 2 bookshelf was playing with great bass. Played "Bass I love you basstronics" and it was just shaking everything with plenty of low end. Played few classical and malayalam songs with and it was really giving me that quality thump. These songs do not have very low frequency, but I think the mid bass output from the sub was really good. I am so happy the way it is doing for music so far. It wasn't localized bass or boomy at all. In fact the sub is more enjoyable in my living room with the above setting than in demo room. Wife has the same opinion.

Movies : Watched the Dark knight opening scene in blu ray. The real power and bass came in to play here. I have turned down the volume little.it was so good and we could really feel around us. Now I know how much I have been missing.

Initial feedback : It is a well built sub with excellent performance for movies and music. I had the feeling that 12inch sub may be too much for my living room. But I think i have made the right decision and even with lower volume levels it is working great in my setup.
This should be in the demo list If you are planning to buy sub below 50k range.

Congrats..
Nice review, I'm also happy user of S10 for an year, it's performance and build quialtiy are simply awesome

 

[sunilkm]

Hi all
I am also in a lookout for a sub below 30k. I had shortlisted Polk PSW125, DSW 550WI, Wharfedale D10 (since I have Wharfedale floor standers). I couldn't audition these 3 because of their non availability for demo. I called HTStore for the recommendation, Mr. Lokesh advised me to go for Velodyne impact 12 mk 2 or Emotiva Basx 12 which he had for demo. Subsequently I auditioned both Velodyne & Emotiva, I was looking for basx 10 which was not available for demo. According to my experience Velodyne sounded boomy & shaky, Emotiva was perfect. The bass was tight and low but I felt it lacked some power. I also felt that their Dali fronts were overpowering the sub, volume settings were not adjusted properly.
Since I am looking for BasX 10 (12 incher will be too huge for me), how does that differ from the basx 12. My living room is about 14 x 22 ft with openings.

1. Will the 10 inch version suffice for my setup?
2. Does it sound good in my place rather than the demo room?
3. I have a Polk 8inch 50Watt RMS with me now, does it really make difference with Emotiva basx 10 200watt?

Experts please suggest me.

There is no need to match the Sub with your fronts. So don't include that point in your purchase decision.
As i have written before the BasX S12 in htstore demo room was not very exciting. I think it may be due to so many things cluttered or not positioned well.
But the experience at home was totally different than in demo room.
Polk PSW125 is not comparable to BasX s10/s12. PSW125 is an entry model in polk lineup.

Basx S12 is more powerful than Velodyne impact12

Basx S12
Amplifier type - High efficiency Class D.
Amplifier power - 300 Watts RMS
Frequency response - 25 Hz – 150 Hz (+3/-3dB).

Velodyne impact12

• Woofer: 12 "(30.5 cm) radiating forward
• Amplifier: class AB, 275 W dynamic, 165 W RMS
• Body design: Acoustic neutral, downward radiating passive port
• Frequency response: 29-140 Hz (± 3 dB)

 

[sunilkm]

Congrats..
Nice review, I'm also happy user of S10 for an year, it's performance and build quialtiy are simply awesome

Congrats to you too.!

 

[sunand777]

Basx S12 is more powerful than Velodyne impact12

Basx S12
Amplifier type - High efficiency Class D.
Amplifier power - 300 Watts RMS
Frequency response - 25 Hz – 150 Hz (+3/-3dB).

i too confused between basx S12 and bic pl 200... spec wise pl 200 is better...what you think?

 

[rpanand25]

Hi all


1. Will the 10 inch version suffice for my setup?

Experts please suggest me.

I have S10. But for your room size(with openings) go for S12. Quality of bass will be different and deeper. Emotiva is not 'in the face bass'.

 

[efernand1]

i too confused between basx S12 and bic pl 200... spec wise pl 200 is better...what you think?

I am using the BIC America PL200 without any challenges...its a normal room with regular furniture...no treatment of room...it works like a charm....

another option of BIC America is the H100ii......from these 2 models....you can choose....

Refer to BIC America owners thread for more details....

 

[zeeya]

Thanks sunilkm, rpanand25 for your inputs.

sunilkm you said it right, the demo room in HTStore is very much cluttered, there were vibrations everywhere. I never felt the bass quality and also the system was not calibrated properly. Will there be really that much difference between the demo room and the living room of ours?

As one of you have suggested to go for BasX 12, I feel it is too big for me in my setup (budget also not permitting me).
Can I make the decision to purchase BasX 10 without audition?
I have auditioned only BasX 12, will there be much difference between the 12 & 10 wrt sound quality?

 

[zeeya]

I have S10. But for your room size(with openings) go for S12. Quality of bass will be different and deeper. Emotiva is not 'in the face bass'.

"In the face bass" can you throw some more light on this please?

 

[rpanand25]

"In the face bass" can you throw some more light on this please?

You can go for S10 if budget is constraint. I would have bought S12 but i couldn't bring it from US because of package size. My room is smaller than yours but I wanted S12 as i didnot want to upgrade in future.

In my experience with some sub you hear more of bass rather feel it and some may like it, But i prefer deeper bass with more sense of being immersed in the bass frequencies. The beats have sufficient punch for EDM music etc.

 

[sunand777]

In my experience with some sub you hear more of bass rather feel it and some may like it, But i prefer deeper bass with more sense of being immersed in the bass frequencies. The beats have sufficient punch for EDM music etc.

how did you connect sub woofer to Emotiva TA-100 (from your signature)?

 

[rpanand25]

how did you connect sub woofer to Emotiva TA-100 (from your signature)?

Emotiva TA 100 has a separate sub out. No problem. Pl see TA 100 page in Emotiva site.

 

[zeeya]

You can go for S10 if budget is constraint. I would have bought S12 but i couldn't bring it from US because of package size. My room is smaller than yours but I wanted S12 as i didnot want to upgrade in future.

In my experience with some sub you hear more of bass rather feel it and some may like it, But i prefer deeper bass with more sense of being immersed in the bass frequencies. The beats have sufficient punch for EDM music etc.

Thanks for your explanation, after your suggestion I am giving it a second thought for BasX S12.

 

[zeeya]

As I said earlier, my living room is 14 x 22 ft, but the listening distance is 14 ft, the BasX 12 would be an overkill? Or BasX 10 is enough?

 

[sriram_shol]

I am using the BIC America PL200 without any challenges...its a normal room with regular furniture...no treatment of room...it works like a charm....

another option of BIC America is the H100ii......from these 2 models....you can choose....

Refer to BIC America owners thread for more details....

I too have BIC PL200. This being a ported subwoofer, the bass will be deeper and punchy.

If you have fixed up your mind for BasX12, go for it. All the best.

 

[sunilkm]

As I said earlier, my living room is 14 x 22 ft, but the listening distance is 14 ft, the BasX 12 would be an overkill? Or BasX 10 is enough?

My living room is of similar size and listening position is approx 10ft - 11ft. S12 is filling the bass nicely ( 50% of volume setting is good enough).
I have never felt it is overkill. You will never max out. With smaller subs you may have to raise volume level which might cause distortion.

 

[efernand1]

@ Zeeya

Agree with the above...it is better to have a powerful sub which can be used at a nominal volume....later if required you have enough headroom to increase volume and enjoy clean performance....

Now in terms of deciding which brand works for you....you can compare specs, dimensions, type of inbuilt sub amp and take a call....reviews are available over various threads...

 

[zeeya]

Yes, you said it right. I thought distance of 14 feet for a 12incher will be overwhelming.

 

[zeeya]

@ Zeeya

Agree with the above...it is better to have a powerful sub which can be used at a nominal volume....later if required you have enough headroom to increase volume and enjoy clean performance....

Now in terms of deciding which brand works for you....you can compare specs, dimensions, type of inbuilt sub amp and take a call....reviews are available over various threads...

Ok, I had Polk, Velodyne & Wharfedale in my mind prior to auditioning of Emotiva. After listening to BasX 12, I made my mind go for Emotiva brand sub, only confused about the size to go for. I think with your & sunilkm's suggestions I can draw a conclusion.
Thanks for the expert inputs.