New Sub needed - problem is I am on a budget

[dUnKle]

Need a new Subwoofer
Now the only two points I need to consider are (a) price and (b) performance

I want low bass and also good quality slam from it - im an action movie junkie at heart and what something that can really make me feel those explosions

Amp wise I am using an Onkyo 905 which plays mainly high def sources from an EP35 or PS3 - also used for gaming with a 360

At most I could afford at moment is £400 to £500 (and thats stretching it)

Current sub set up is a Rel Q100E

 

[recruit]

Hi dunkle - There are a few options open to you in that price bracket from both SVS and BK, the obvious one from BK is the Monolith if you do not mind the larger size cabinet or you could look at the smaller SVS SB12+ which for it's size produces very good performance, also have a look in the powerbuy section above as maybe one of the SVS cylinders may be an option too.

All of the subs mentioned will offer excellent movies and music performance !

 

[cribeiro]

That sort of money can buy you really a good sub.
If only performance for your money is what counts, then you should look into the SVS cylinders.
In any case, forum favourites are BK and SVS subwoofers. Just look in their web-sites and choose AV-sales has special forum pricing, AFAIK (only in UK).

 

[cribeiro]

Hi dunkle - There are a few options open to you in that price bracket from both SVS and BK, the obvious one from BK is the Monolith if you do not mind the larger size cabinet or you could look at the smaller SVS SB12+ which for it's size produces very good performance, also have a look in the powerbuy section above as maybe one of the SVS cylinders may be an option too.

All of the subs mentioned will offer excellent movies and music performance !

Simultaneous answers!
And same content, too

 

[badbob]

Should be able pickup a second hand 20-39 PC Plus, new BK Monolith or SVS SB12+. If it's for for HT, get the tubes.

A mate has a Q100E and it's so crap in comparison to 20-39 PC Plus you'll need to wear adult nappies during your first few demo scenes.

 

[dUnKle]

Cheers guys

Yeah its for movies only - no interest in music at all (unless its accompanying a fine chase sequance )

If I was to lower my budget somewhat to say £350 or so would I still be ok

 

[badbob]

Should be able to get a second hand PC Plus..

 

[dUnKle]

Cheers

Looks like will have to be new (possible Credit Card purchase) and with that in mind seems a toss up between

SVS 25-31PCi or SVS SB12 Plus

Just not sure which

 

[badbob]

hmm I didn't have a PCi cylinder- my PC Plus was the gen 1 Plus cylinder, I have a SB12+ and a PC Ultra 13 now and the box subs don't go that loud- I think it'll struggle in a medium sized HT room, compared to the tubes. For HT you want the headroom. The PC Plus is now in a medium sized living room and copes easily enough.

Or if you have PP could buy it second hand put on your CC? I sold my 20-39 PC Plus for £350.

 

[dUnKle]

hmm I didn't have a PCi cylinder- my PC Plus was the gen 1 Plus cylinder, I have a SB12+ and a PC Ultra 13 now and the box subs don't go that loud- I think it'll struggle in a medium sized HT room, compared to the tubes. For HT you want the headroom. The PC Plus is now in a medium sized living room and copes easily enough.

Or if you have PP could buy it second hand put on your CC? I sold my 20-39 PC Plus for £350.

I guess I should take room size into account
At moment its in a medium sized room (its actually the 2nd of our 3 bedrooms)

However towards end of this year and beginning of next I will be converting our good sized garage into a cinema room and so I guess I should get something that will cope with that - another push towards the cylinder

The SVS 20-39PC-Plus (normal price £680.00 - AVForum price £612.00) is too much over my budget - the Monolith looks good choice but seems a big box to hide compare to the cylinders - mind more concerned about quality bang per buck, so would the BK be better option than the cheapest cylinder ?

Guess I will have to hang round the classifieds

 

[badbob]

The SVS 20-39PC-Plus (normal price £680.00 - AVForum price £612.00) is too much over my budget -

From other posters, the Plus cylinder is a step up on the monolith, it's annoying av sales has been creeping the prices up on SVS subs. Good for sellers, bad for buyers.

 

[dUnKle]

From other posters, the Plus cylinder is a step up on the monolith, it's annoying av sales has been creeping the prices up on SVS subs. Good for sellers, bad for buyers.

Ah so its either a Monolith or keep saving - mind guess could hold of til the new room is built

 

[Ian J]

I have a SB12+ and a PC Ultra 13 now and the box subs don't go that loud- I think it'll struggle in a medium sized HT room, compared to the tubes.

I have read that a few times that the box sub might struggle in a medium sized HT room and that is just not the case. Several of us went to Kent to listen to the SB12 when it was first brought over to the UK and it was compared side by side with the bigger PB12 Plus and didn't give away that much.

Secrets of Home Theater have long been the most trusted reviewers around - especially John E Johnson and he has reviewed the SB 12 Plus here and for comparison purposes he also reviewed the PCi here.

Johnson's comments on the little SB12 included the following:-

I was able to get a maximum of 116 dB at 1 meter, using our standard combination frequency test tone of 20 Hz, 31.5 Hz, and 50 Hz. That is a lot of power!

For such a reasonably small subwoofer, there is plenty of output at 20 Hz

The above comes from a man who's personal system includes four Velodyne 18" subs so he does know what sub bass sounds like

 

[dUnKle]

I have read that a few times that the box sub might struggle in a medium sized HT room and that is just not the case. Several of us went to Kent to listen to the SB12 when it was first brought over to the UK and it was compared side by side with the bigger PB12 Plus and didn't give away that much.

Secrets of Home Theater have long been the most trusted reviewers around - especially John E Johnson and he has reviewed the SB 12 Plus here and for comparison purposes he also reviewed the PCi here.

Johnson's comments on the little SB12 included the following:-



The above comes from a man who's personal system includes four Velodyne 18" subs so he does know what sub bass sounds like

Cheers for that

Still unsure which of the two (SB12 or PCI) would be best for me

 

[cribeiro]

I thought that purely based on performance, the cylinder should have the edge, because the SB12plus, although impressive for its size, it is a compromise for those needed a small sub (EDIT: so does SVS say!).

So, if you can live with the cylinder, then get it. If you prefer to give up a bit of performance (basically depth and SPL) and have a small sub which also excels with music, then go for the SB12plus.

 

[dUnKle]

Looks like it may well be the PCI - I am assuming it will be a HUGE improvemnet over the Q100

 

[Ian J]

Still unsure which of the two (SB12 or PCI) would be best for me

Either will give you exactly what you are looking for as both have bags of slam and go pretty low and either would be a huge improvement on the Q100. The cylinder will probably have a slight edge but as it's three times the height that is hardly surprising.

 

[badbob]

A 20-39 PC Plus went for £520 in the for sale forum.

 

[dUnKle]

Either will give you exactly what you are looking for as both have bags of slam and go pretty low and either would be a huge improvement on the Q100. The cylinder will probably have a slight edge but as it's three times the height that is hardly surprising.

Just, may give it another month or so and then take plunge - thanks for the advice though

Got 2 other subs lay around (Rel Quake and the one that comes with the Kef 3005 package) maybe when get sub can sell them towards the cost

How does the Kef sub compare with the cylinders (only as as its the newest one I have)

 

[badbob]

How does the Kef sub compare with the cylinders (only as as its the newest one I have)

Not even close. Neither is the Rel Quake. In fact once you get a real sub you won't go back to the Quake or Kef sub.

It's like comparing the sound of a 2 stroke Fiat 500 to a TVR.

 

[dUnKle]

Well I am very VERY close to treating myself having had a bad few weeks and doing nothing but stuff for other people

However my budget is limited to the £400 mark - give or take £50

Which of the subs then should I go for which would give me deep low bass that I can feel (you know the stuff that makes your stomach go funny )

 

[suniil]

you could check with [email protected], whether they have any ex-demo subs like 20-39 PC+

Well I am very VERY close to treating myself having had a bad few weeks and doing nothing but stuff for other people

However my budget is limited to the £400 mark - give or take £50

Which of the subs then should I go for which would give me deep low bass that I can feel (you know the stuff that makes your stomach go funny )

 

[dUnKle]

Good idea - seems not at moment but was worth considering

If I was to buy this week - and was limited to £450 then which of the available subs would give me the lowest most stomach feeling bass ?

 

[badbob]

Don't know about the PCi, but 20-39 PC is just laughably better than the Rel Q100E. The 16hz tuned cylinders offer the lowest bass, but lose overall maximum spl output.

 

[dUnKle]

Don't know about the PCi, but 20-39 PC is just laughably better than the Rel Q100E. The 16hz tuned cylinders offer the lowest bass, but lose overall maximum spl output.

Now you would think having been member here for all these years I should understand all that by now guess should pay more attention

Guess what I want is more "cinema style" bass that I can feel and notice for £450

GUess what I should also be asking is, is the 20-39 PC worth the extra 123 over the pci