another 'which sub' question! (I'm confused)

[snaxo]

All, this is my first post - so please be gentle. I did some searching first to see if I could find information that would help with my quandry - I found some, but still need a little more.

So I'm appealing to you all !

I am in the middle of building / integrating a home cinema system with my exiting hi-fi. The system is built on compromise - though the front speakers are relatively large - I require small rears for 'room friendliness' - the Radius' are the best solution in this regards I have found (auditioned)

Current System:

Yamaha DSP-E800 Processor / Amp
Front Right & Left Channel - EPOS ES22 Speakers powered by Naim Audio 102/180 amplification
Rear speakers - Monitor Audio Raidus 90
(no centre speaker yet)

The problem is the Sub. I thought I had it sorted, as I auditioned the following three subs:

MA Radius 360
Rel Quake
KEF PSW2010

The Kef (unfortunately - because it's the ugliest) in my opinion, completely outperformed the other two. The Quake was next best and lastly the Radius 360 which I found quite undewhelming. Note: Sub will only be used for movies - not music.

So I was all set to get the Kef. However, Kef won't sell it to me !!! They will not split it from the KHT 2005.2 package! They will sell me a PSW2500 which is more or less the same thing - but this I can't accomodate in the room (odd shape!).

So I'm wondering what should I do?
Should I settle for the Quake or should I go for the Q150e (which is quite a bit more than I wanted to spend). The Q150e is also the 'largest' Sub I can accomodate (so as you can see I am restricted).

Now I'm reading about this MJ Accoustics Reference 100. Should I be considering that? How does it compare? The Kef Sub had a far superior level of controlled slam than the Quake / Radius 360 - both of these seemed to 'bottom out ' or become 'flabby' whilst the Kef was still going strong.

opinions? Many thanks in advance. !!!

Damian

[Ed Selley]

Blowing our trumpet a little here but the MJ Acoustics was recently outperformed in this months WHF by the Mordaunt Short MS309 which is also cheaper at £220 and won the test outright. The 309 is reasonably innoffensive looking as well in a black or Maple finish. You also get the standard MS room equalisation features as well that allow for a better setup in most domestic enviroments.

[FazerThou]

Or you could try the BK XLS200. I have just got one of these to go with my radius and am well impressed

[Pollywoggle]

If you decide on the Rel q150e, I have one that is mint condition in the classified and will not cost you too much.

[snaxo]

Cheers Guys.

Mr Mordaunt Short - I see that the comparison in What Hi-Fi was actually against the Pro 50 rather than the Reference 100.

Fazer - how do you get hold of the XLS200 - can't find a link that works !

Damian

[Nimby]

Welcome aboard. I was in the same boat as you a month or so back. I'm still here!

I'm going to suggest you raise your sights quite a bit. You have a decent system that could be nicely augmented in both music and film by a decent sub. I think you're aiming far too low given the high quality of your present kit.

I'm running Mission 753Fs from Naim 72/180 and was slightly underwhelmed by the only decent sub that I could audition locally. A B&W ASW675 beside a very large pair of floorstanders. Others here like the 675 a lot. You may well too. I would set that as a minimum marker for your system.

I bet the ES22's do better bass than many of the cheaper subs around!

Nimby

[FazerThou]

Here you go

http://www.bkelec.com

[Kazman]

I can understand what you say about the KEF Sub, I have the PSW2500 (got it for a bargain £239 from Technosound after they pricematched with PRC Direct), lovely piece of kit, and is basically a reskinned 2010 but the cylinder shape helps it to be a bit more tuneful with music.

Have you thought about the PSW3000? It is a little bit more expensive, but at least it is a cubed shape. And don't forget about about the Mordaunt Short MS909W, lovely sub, with lots of grunt, can be had for about £399. The B&W ASW675 is a masterful sub, but at £600, is a tad expensive, if you can afford it though, it is a great sub...............I'll leave it 5 mins before the SVS brigade start banging their drums

[Ian J]

Originally posted by snaxo
The Q150e is also the 'largest' Sub I can accomodate (so as you can see I am restricted).

Originally posted by snaxo
I'll leave it 5 mins before the SVS brigade start banging their drums

I think you'll find that the "SVS brigade" read the question properly.

[Kazman]

:P

[snaxo]

Thanks Guys. Good info.

Nimby - I was afraid someone was going to say that - i.e. I needed to spend a lot more. You may be right but when I had the demo in Sevenoaks they used an Arcam pre/power combo and some fairly hefty Monitor Audio speakers to try and replicate as closely as possible my environment. Ok not as good as my own setup but pretty reasonable. I still found the Kef (especially) added a lot to the proceedings.

I've taken a look at the SVS 25-31PCi and I reckon I could accomodate it - the actual footprint is not hugely bigger than some of the box Subs we've discussed. Question: Can I place right up flush to the walls in the corner of my room. If I can it could be a possibility.

The B&W looks nice - and whilst I could spend that if I wanted - I didn't really wanna shell out that much. Is the 25-31PCi better?
Question: What's the total cost incl all delivery charges of the 25-31 PCi?

Lastly the BK SLX200 - significantly cheaper than the above two - is it significantly outclassed by them? Or is there a real chance it could add value to my system. I presume it would compare very favourably with the Kef 2010 considering people on here seem to be rating it higher than the Rel Q150e?

The problem with the BK and the SVS is that I have to buy blind - which I am not used to doing. However if it's recokned that they really are that much better than the competition at their price points - perhaps I can be persuaded to take a leap of faith !

Your further thoughts / comments / insights appreciated. Thanks for what you've fed back so far !

Damian

[Ian J]

Originally posted by snaxo
Question: What's the total cost incl all delivery charges of the 25-31 PCi?

It should be about £450 delivered and all taxes paid.

It will work in a corner but if you can pull it out even a few inches, so much the better. I haven't heard this model but would be very surprised if it wasn't significantly better than the B&W.

[FazerThou]

Originally posted by snaxo



Lastly the BK SLX200 - significantly cheaper than the above two - is it significantly outclassed by them? Or is there a real chance it could add value to my system. I presume it would compare very favourably with the Kef 2010 considering people on here seem to be rating it higher than the Rel Q150e?

The problem with the BK and the SVS is that I have to buy blind - which I am not used to doing. However if it's recokned that they really are that much better than the competition at their price points - perhaps I can be persuaded to take a leap of faith !


Damian

Had my BK a couple of days now and I would say it has more impact than the Q100 that I had before. You could try ringing them as they told me if I wasn't happy I could return it as long as in as new condition.

Good luck whatever you choose

[Stellavision]

Originally posted by snaxo


The B&W looks nice - and whilst I could spend that if I wanted - I didn't really wanna shell out that much. Is the 25-31PCi better?

Damian

I've had the svs 25-31 PCi and the B&W ASW675 and I think the SVS just wins it for its bigger sounding bass, but the B&W is tighter.
I can reccomend both, but if I were going to buy one of the two again I would go for the svs.

[Kazman]

Vickers will sell the PSW2010 seperately: http://www.vickers-hifi.co.uk/retail/subwoofers.html

Try there. I've never used them, but they appear to be quite professional, don't know if others here have experience of them?