Subwoofer - Need advise please

[AMITNOIDA]

Is there any correlation between Subwoofer driver size and room size. What are the parameters, which need to be considered while selecting a Subwoofer? How the subwoofer is to be auditioned - any special movie clip? Entry Level Subwoofer brands (price <25k) as I have come accross in different postings in HFV are Polk, Klipsch, Wharfdale. Any other brands worth audition in this price range?

For a 14.5 x 11 x10 room, what subwoofer driver size will be sufficient?

 

[Kittu]

Is there any correlation between Subwoofer driver size and room size. What are the parameters, which need to be considered while selecting a Subwoofer? How the subwoofer is to be auditioned - any special movie clip? Entry Level Subwoofer brands (price <25k) as I have come accross in different postings in HFV are Polk, Klipsch, Wharfdale. Any other brands worth audition in this price range?

For a 14.5 x 11 x10 room, what subwoofer driver size will be sufficient?

There is a Sony sub on sale from inder for 8k I think for your room size it shld do good... Do check it out... Otherwise you can choose either velodyne or paradigm subs.... near to the 25k budget.

 

[theironhorse]

buddy sony sub ???????? u sure .... there is another jamo sub in sale section.. pick it up if available.....


and more than sub size and room size co-relation... its more bout feel and mental satisfaction.. lolz i was kiddin.. but i do get emotional bout my electronics sometimes.. hehe

 

[CANDUU]

jamo has been sold mate...........

 

[snath]

I am looking to buy a good subwoofer to enhance the cinema experience. I already have good bookshelfs in Be-718. I am not looking for a powerful bass but just looking for better extension. Was recommended Usher Sw-103. Any other recommendations (probably at lower cost with same or better quality) ?

I am also looking at getting a pair of good surround speakers. Would welcome recommendations here too.

 

[AMITNOIDA]

I am looking to buy a good subwoofer to enhance the cinema experience. I already have good bookshelfs in Be-718. I am not looking for a powerful bass but just looking for better extension. Was recommended Usher Sw-103. Any other recommendations (probably at lower cost with same or better quality) ?

I am also looking at getting a pair of good surround speakers. Would welcome recommendations here too.

Hi SNath,
Which Amp are you using? Why I am curious, because I do have also same speaker BE-718. BE-718 has decent bass but sub will help in better extension.

 

[snath]

I have Be-718 connected to Onkyo TX-NR906. I am fine with this setup w.r.t bass but was recommended that for Movies a sub would be needed as that is how the movies are made (and hence need to be heard with the sub).

 

[akhil7j]

Guys, how good is DefTech prosub 1000 for 12x11 room size? The bass shoukd be good enough to shake the bed.

Pls advice....

Sent from my GT-I9000 using Tapatalk

 

[CANDUU]

If u keep the sub below the bed ,u can feel it more shaking mate

 

[venkatcr]

Amit, there are two schools of thought. One is the kind who like boomy sound. These people usually go for large drivers and excessive power. The other is the kind for whom the sub should merge with the rest of the system.

In the old days, sub manufacturers have used large drivers for, shall we say, more sound? Not anymore. Most mass market subs use drivers between 8 to 12 inches. The internal electronics, cabinet construction, bracing, crossover, and amplifier go a long way in deciding the quality of the sub.

In terms of auditioning, this depends upon which bracket you are in. If you fall into the first bracket, it is quite easy to get a sub. Even local manufacturers make subs that make a lot of noise and that can rattle everything in your room including your teeth.

If you are looking for musical sub, the story is different. You should be looking for a sub that literally disappears and makes you wonder if it is working at all. A sub that merges so well with the front speakers that will make you wonder where the sound is coming from. A sub that is tight and that kills a sound instantaneously. A sub that makes you identify each thud in a roll of drums individually. A sub that enables you to identify a tabla from a mridangam, from a electronic drum easily.

Such subs usually have a 10 or 12 inch driver with about 400-500 watts of amplification.

For auditioning, in terms of music, look for CDs that contain drums quite a lot - African, Indian, Japanese and Western drums. I have found albums of Sivamani to be good as well as those of Alla Rakha and Zakir Hussain.

In terms of movies, one of the best to use for audition I have come across is U571. Use a DTS version and play the chapter where a German destroyer drops depth charges on the submarine. This has to be the very best track DTS has yet produced. It's incredibly detailed and sucks you right into the film. It starts slowly with individual charges going off with the added rush of water cascading. Near the end, there are multiple charges going of sequentially. This is where I have seen most subs failing. The explosions are so close to each other that most subs merge them into a rumble. A tight sub will deliver each explosion separately and allow the other speakers to deliver the creak of metal beautifully.

Saving Private Ryan is another great movie for testing subs. The gun shots and the roar and thunder of tanks have been recorded beautifully.

The attack on Germanic barbarians in The Gladiator is another favourite scene of mine. There is so much background noise that is is difficult to hear the dialogues properly. When the Romans throw huge fireballs that hit a tree, most people look for a deep thud. This is really not there. It is actually a sharp snap as the fireball disintegrates upon hitting the tree. But the sub, along with the other speakers should create a huge soundstage that rises and falls with the roar of the army. In addition, just as the clash is about to take place, the background music merges beautifully with the rest of the sound.

Cheers

 

[rana_kirti]

yes i agree with venkatcr, that depth charge scene in U571 is a true Sub-woofer tester ( for movies )....!!!

That scene destroys and humiliates lesser subs. It crushes their ego and takes away their soul. It makes them never want to switch themselves on again and they cry if the U571 disc is ever loaded on the dvd/bluray player tray. It makes lesser subs wish they were never manufactured in the first place. It demolishes their confidence. It annihilates and obliterates their drivers & amps not matter what size & power they are... 10" 12" 15" doesn't matter. 250 watts, 500 watts, 1000 watts.... doesn't matter.

It's most probably the best demo scene out there to truly know what a subwoofer is or is not capable off.

For sure a subwoofer which can play that scene in a clear & articulate manner is what you should aim for if you want a excellent sub.

Cheers

 

[AMITNOIDA]

Thanks Venkat for suggesting U571 scene and Kirti for seconding it. I checked Rhythm house and they have the DVD and BR is available at Amazon. In one of the review of this movie, it has been mentioned that it is a real test to the sound system.

Purchasing of Sub is few months away. My immediate plan is to get an Oppo BDP and Pana 42V20 plasma, which I hope to purchase within 1-2 weeks. Then I will start auditioning for speaker system and sub. By that time I hope, I will get the BR disk of U571.

 

[Kittu]

yes i agree with venkatcr, that depth charge scene in U571 is a true Sub-woofer tester ( for movies )....!!!

That scene destroys and humiliates lesser subs. It crushes their ego and takes away their soul. It makes them never want to switch themselves on again and they cry if the U571 disc is ever loaded on the dvd/bluray player tray. It makes lesser subs wish they were never manufactured in the first place. It demolishes their confidence. It annihilates and obliterates their drivers & amps not matter what size & power they are... 10" 12" 15" doesn't matter. 250 watts, 500 watts, 1000 watts.... doesn't matter.

It's most probably the best demo scene out there to truly know what a subwoofer is or is not capable off.

For sure a subwoofer which can play that scene in a clear & articulate manner is what you should aim for if you want a excellent sub.

Cheers

OT your avatar has PSB speakers so your quest for 5.1 speakers ended with PSB ?

 

[rana_kirti]

yes my friend... that is correct. after i heard PSB.... i forgot everything else

 

[venkatcr]

That scene destroys and humiliates lesser subs. It crushes their ego and takes away their soul. It makes them never want to switch themselves on again and they cry if the U571 disc is ever loaded on the dvd/bluray player tray. It makes lesser subs wish they were never manufactured in the first place. It demolishes their confidence. It annihilates and obliterates their drivers & amps not matter what size & power they are... 10" 12" 15" doesn't matter. 250 watts, 500 watts, 1000 watts.... doesn't matter.

We have a saying in Tamil - 'Unnake Idhu roma too mucha illa?. Crudely translated it means, 'don't you yourself think is a bit too much?'

At the same time, you have phrased is beautifully. Yes, I have literally felt lesser subs cry in shame after this scene.

Cheers

 

[sud98]

Did you guys use the UK version or the US version of U571?

 

[venkatcr]

The US version. Is there a difference in sound between the versions?

Cheers

 

[sud98]

Wasnt sure, so checking. The UK version has a slightly modified spect ratio, but didnt find any place to verify the sound quality.

 

[hifiashok]

reccos on the sub....

 

[m.a.sara]

Venkat,

Which of the subs did you use for these clips? Could you let me the ones that made you to describe those scenes beautifully ?

are there any under 50k price range?

rg,
saravanan

In terms of movies, one of the best to use for audition I have come across is U571. Use a DTS version and play the chapter where a German destroyer drops depth charges on the submarine. This has to be the very best track DTS has yet produced. It's incredibly detailed and sucks you right into the film. It starts slowly with individual charges going off with the added rush of water cascading. Near the end, there are multiple charges going of sequentially. This is where I have seen most subs failing. The explosions are so close to each other that most subs merge them into a rumble. A tight sub will deliver each explosion separately and allow the other speakers to deliver the creak of metal beautifully.

Cheers