quote:

Originally posted by vthoky:

quote:

Originally posted by Milliron:
Sorry, but Klipsch subs are Chinese junk.

Interesting. That’s the first time I’ve heard a statement like that. It’s been a long time since I studied things like this (obviously), but I thought Klipsch was among the really good stuff.

Klipsch makes some quite good gear. I had a pair of RF-3’s for years and gave them to my buddy. They’re still rocking at 20 years old. Their Heritage line speakers are still made in the U.S. and are still very good (and pricey). Even their home theater line isn’t terrible. But they’ve never been known for their subs. Even my Klipsch dealer recommended Paradigms. I myself have a pair of Rythmiks in my HT.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
BTW, if your main speakers are getting long in the tooth and you're planning to upgrade, it may be better to just apply all funds to a better mains

I agree, to have good highs, warm midrange and good upper bass with good soundstage is far more important than having the stuff hovering in the lower registers.

quote:

Originally posted by DanH:
With your budget, this is something worth looking at:

https://www.crutchfield.com/p_...e-DualX8.html?tp=187

It's an 8" sub with an 8" passive woofer that will hit 17hz at the lowest and still gives you space to move around.

That does look like a sharp competitor to the original Klipsch thought.

{Edited to remove link. It didn’t work.}


As the bookshelf speakers go, the JBL Stage 250B looks reasonable and affordable. (Until you guys teach me otherwise.)

SVS is, in fact, also made in Le Chine.

vthoky, I sent you an email.

Thank you for the heads-up. I’ll look momentarily.

Similar in price, let’s add Polk to the conversation. Polk Monitor XT12

I'd generally buy Polk over Klipsch. But I'd more seriously consider something like this since you're approaching marginality. smschulz or 1s1k may have more direct first hand experience; I've only had demo but it was sufficiently compelling (forgot which model).

https://sfbay.craigslist.org/s...mium/7874052524.html

My 2010-ish Paradigm Reference Seismic 12 blew the amp or something and they are not repairable. Otherwise it's in perfect shape. I might scavenge and amp or buy a used one off eBay and make one good one out of the parts.

These things had 1500 watts rms and 4500 peak, but with Audyssey room correction on the AVR it sounds perfect. Keeps out of the way until it makes itself heard.

If I go new I might get Paradigms latest Defiance S, or the older Seismic 10.

I have P-ref V1 and V2 speakers for the 5 of the 5.1.

I'd highly recommend SVS subwoofers wholeheartedly. I've had dual SVS subs in the past for 2-channel audio, and they are as tuneful, deep and precise as anything I've used at even twice or three times their price. They definitely know their stuff. I have been into high-end audio for over 30 years; mostly 2-channel. My system now is as far as I want to take it after much buying and selling over the years. It takes a lot to accomplish your final system. My current speakers dig very deep and are incredibly adept at reproducing tight, taut bass, so I have since foregone any need for subs. Electric bass and jazz ensembles are incredibly lifelike. Very tangible. Electronica and even orchestral are impressive. Visceral is a good way of putting it. Which brings me back to the SVS. You'll get that in spades. Klipsch, Polk, Paradigm...any big box (or former) subs are not gonna cut it, IMO. They just sound bloated, confused and difficult to follow. I say this knowing how to blend a sub with speakers and different rooms. REL can be very convincing, but many give up on their somewhat 'quirky' connections and difficulty finding the cutoff sweet spot. SVS pride themselves on engineering communicative transducers (subwoofers, in this case). Physics is physics when it comes to pushing air, and they make models that will definitely pressurize your room without it sounding like a bad car subwoofer. They're as musical a subwoofer as you're likely to get in the audio world.

For watching movies you want excellent very low frequencies. The kind that rumble the room and your gut. You need low frequencies and adequate power. Lows require more watts for the same perceived loudness, so while your main receiver wattage may be enough, you may find that a similar wattage in your subwoofer is not.

We have an SVS which covers all of that beautifully. It was around $500-$600 which is a lot of money, but this is definitely a Buy-once-cry-once situation.

Setting the crossover frequency is important. Our receiver automates that, but be aware you may have to twiddle manually with your system to get the best performance. The receiver and all the speakers are indeed a system, not just independent parts.

For listening to music I use a different system in my studio without a subwoofer. For the styles I listen to at the volume I enjoy, I think a sub would be a waste. I can't comment on the SVS for musicality.

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
SVS is, in fact, also made in Le Chine.

https://www.avsforum.com/threa...-made-today.1160998/

Post 22 from 2020 in that link says “ as of 2020, they are made in china”.

quote:

Originally posted by Fly-Sig:
this is definitely a Buy-once-cry-once situation.

The SIGforum budget-killers strike again!
(I should have expected so, right?)

A trip to the Crutchfield store tomorrow isn’t out of the realm of possibilities. It would be nice to see, feel, and hear some of the awesomeness they stock.

I’ll also recommend the main brands mentioned. SVS and REL

I personally have 2 REL 212/sx in my system. Mostly only use them for HT now after upgrading my speakers to Magico S5 mk2 which handle low frequency’s exceptionally well

If they are going to be dual purpose music and HT, make sure you can hook them up high pass and LFE. Some of the more budget friendly subs will have a simple rca connection for everything.

I'll refrain from specific recommendations on subwoofer brands as I've been a 'build it myself' guy for decades when it comes to subs, however, I do want to contribute this fact:

When it comes to making bass, there is no replacement for displacement. Bass is about moving air, the more cone area, the better. The more cone throw, the better. In almost all cases a 12" cone beats a 8" cone... unless, maybe, you're talking a very crappy 12" cone with very little throw vs a very high end, high-throw 8".

For indoor recreational use that will do both movies and music, a good middle of the road ported box, tuned in the 35-40hz range is probably my go-to design. Passive radiator instead of porting is also a good option.

Many years ago the website PartsExpress had some very good deals on pre-built subs under their house name, as well as kits to assemble yourself for a bit cheaper. I don't know if they are still a viable option, but 20 years ago they certainly were one of my go-to places.

Good luck!

quote:

Originally posted by Milliron:
At that price point, RSL Speedwoofer every day.

Long time audiophile here. Sorry, but Klipsch subs are Chinese junk.

The Klipsch of today isn't the Klipsch of 20 or 30 years ago. Their quality has slipped a bit, sadly.

quote:

Originally posted by trapper189:

quote:

Originally posted by 1s1k:

quote:

Originally posted by PGT:
SVS is, in fact, also made in Le Chine.

https://www.avsforum.com/threa...-made-today.1160998/

Post 22 from 2020 in that link says “ as of 2020, they are made in china”.

The cabinets are if you get the high gloss piano black. Components and assembly are in either Canada or Ohio.

^^^That’s what the posts from 2009 say. I don’t know one way or the other, but the later posts in that thread say people received entire speakers labeled Made in China.

The internet says the company was sold in 2011 and their products are now made in China. The company’s website says engineered in Ohio, but nothing about made in America.

Here’s a 2024 review of a $5,000 pair of SVS speakers in Stereophile:
SVS Ultra Evolution Pinnacle loudspeaker

Excerpts:

“SVS stands for Stimpson Vodhanel Sound, after the company's founders, Ron Stimpson and Tom Vodhanel; Tom, the chief designer, left the company in 2007; Ron, the CEO, sold the company in 2011.”

“The drivers are designed by SVS. Everything is manufactured, and the loudspeakers are assembled, in China.”

It really doesn’t matter. I’m sure they sell a fine product. My subs are old M&K MX125s.

I'm a Polk guy as well. One split off to start Definitive Technology which is what I have now. I like the idea of a smaller 8 inch driver. The sound will be tight and not boomy.