BK Sub dilemma...

[scene]

So at last, I'd finally made up my mind on what sub to get, and importantly also got approval from Mrs. Scene *good*

And there I was on the BK Electronics site, about to get an XXLS400-DF - the only question remaining being the finish, when I notice that they're doing a new sub... The P12-300SB - also available in down-firing form, in the same wide range of finishes. The main obvious difference is that this is a 300W RMS unit, rather than the 400W of the XXLS400, it's £40-45 cheaper, and it features an auto switch off...

Now this last point interests me, as I am one of the many who fried his KEF sub by leaving it on all the time, in blissful ignorance of the fact that this left the sub's amp running until it stopped working. So...

Has anyone got/heard the new P12 - if so: what's it like? (Are WHF going to review one anytime soon...?)

Now I just don't know...

 

[fr0g]

Why not phone and ask them if it's ok to leave it on?

Mine has been pretty much constantly on since I bought it... Still banging out the bass lines (XXLS400) - Bought in October 2011.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Just get the one you have your heart set on. Its just redesign to keep up with current trends. the 400 is tried and tested with a proven track record. And your also lossing power in the new one, which you will need with a sealed cabinate that extra 100w will make a difference IMO.

Personally I don't actually like the look of the new one. but thats me

Up to you though you do get a 14 day return period so you could buy both and return one after comparison. Thats what i would do. Or if you closs enough they have been known to lend out samples for testing.

 

[scene]

Why not phone and ask them if it's ok to leave it on?

Mine has been pretty much constantly on since I bought it... Still banging out the bass lines (XXLS400) - Bought in October 2011.

Thanks frog - that's good to know. When it's on and not in use, how much power does it draw?

Out of interest: How big a room are you using yours in?

 

[scene]

Just get the one you have your heart set on. Its just redesign to keep up with current trends. the 400 is tried and tested with a proven track record. And your also lossing power in the new one, which you will need with a sealed cabinate that extra 100w will make a difference IMO.

Personally I don't actually like the look of the new one. but thats me

Up to you though you do get a 14 day return period so you could buy both and return one after comparison. Thats what i would do. Or if you closs enough they have been known to lend out samples for testing.

Yes, I hear where you coming from - and it's pretty much what I was thinking

I must admit, I think the silver legs look a little bit naff.

I suppose my main worry is the having it on all the time, both from my experience with the KEF and also in terms of the power usage.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Subs draw very little when idal so i wouldn't worry to be honest.

You can always turn it off at the back (red switch i think on the 400) I actually prefer my sub when it's been on for a few hours its deeper and more refined.

If power consumption really concerns your why not look at SVS sb 1000 model it has a very engery effeincte ampand has a really good auto detect function on baord, heard good things about it! Its meant to be better than the Bk 400 apprently.

But then that adding to your confussion

 

[fr0g]

Why not phone and ask them if it's ok to leave it on?

Mine has been pretty much constantly on since I bought it... Still banging out the bass lines (XXLS400) - Bought in October 2011.

Thanks frog - that's good to know. When it's on and not in use, how much power does it draw?

Out of interest: How big a room are you using yours in?

It has been in use in the living room which is an L shape, the part it was in is around 8 metres by 4.5

It's now in use in a VERY small space (2m by 3m max). Great in either scenario.

 

[ellisdj]

The 400 takes about 40 minutes to start sounding decent when you turn the system on indicative of the amplifier inside warming up, I dare say it draws minimal power when not being used. I had one for a couple of years - my cousiin has now had his about 3 and half years no problems at all. I dont think you need to worry about that - but dont shoot the messanger

400watts in a sealed box sub is only just about enough if you ask me - not ouput volume it plays plenty loud enough

Its a lovely looking sub in gloss black - the finish is exquisite and worth the extra if you want gloss.

I saw they had released a new sub, I expected a better one - not one in the middle of the range - seemed an odd choice to me to have that option?

 

[jonathanRD]

I've got a matt black one, which I quite often forget to turn off. I've had no problems with it after nearly two years.

The only problem is that visitors think it is a fancy coffee table and I have to guard it just in case they try to place their mug on top *stop*

 

[scene]

Subs draw very little when idal so i wouldn't worry to be honest.

You can always turn it off at the back (red switch i think on the 400) I actually prefer my sub when it's been on for a few hours its deeper and more refined.

If power consumption really concerns your why not look at SVS sb 1000 model it has a very engery effeincte ampand has a really good auto detect function on baord, heard good things about it! Its meant to be better than the Bk 400 apprently.

But then that adding to your confussion

?

 

Yes it does look good, but due to small people it needs to be down firing, and to get approval from Mrs. Scene it needs to blend in, so wood veneer. So thanks, but fortunately no extra choices being added

 

[scene]

Yes the gloss black does look good, but that is not an option as lightish wood veneer is all that has been approved by Mrs scene. Oh well.
Yes, 400w for the size of room I've got seems about the minimum and pretty much rules out the P12.

 

[scene]

I've got a matt black one, which I quite often forget to turn off. I've had no problems with it after nearly two years.?

The only problem is that visitors think it is a fancy coffee table and I have to guard it just in case they try to place their mug on top  *stop*

:ROFL: Yes this is a concern, and funnily enough one of the reasons Mrs scene likes the xxls400-df is that it has a "furniture like" quality about it :lol: Hopefully I'll be able be able to put it somewhere where it doesn't become a coffee table

 

[fr0g]

I've got a matt black one, which I quite often forget to turn off. I've had no problems with it after nearly two years.

The only problem is that visitors think it is a fancy coffee table and I have to guard it just in case they try to place their mug on top *stop*

:ROFL: Yes this is a concern, and funnily enough one of the reasons Mrs scene likes the xxls400-df is that it has a "furniture like" quality about it :lol: Hopefully I'll be able be able to put it somewhere where it doesn't become a coffee table

Or you can throw a fancy tablecloth over it and actually use it as furniture

 

[RobinKidderminster]

40mins to warm up??? If I knew anything about electronics I'd say that was rubbish. But I don't.

 

[scene]

I've got a matt black one, which I quite often forget to turn off. I've had no problems with it after nearly two years.

The only problem is that visitors think it is a fancy coffee table and I have to guard it just in case they try to place their mug on top *stop*

:ROFL: Yes this is a concern, and funnily enough one of the reasons Mrs scene likes the xxls400-df is that it has a "furniture like" quality about it :lol: Hopefully I'll be able be able to put it somewhere where it doesn't become a coffee table

Or you can throw a fancy tablecloth over it and actually use it as furniture

I'm sure Mrs. Scene will be happy to do this... Though might have the odd Jurassic Park moment:

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Its an analog amp so quit possibly can make a difference. But please don't let this decend into the seedy world of burn in. And lets help scene in making the right choice for his situation.

Scene...... Thats far enough about the way the subwoofer looks and completely understand

 

[scene]

Its an analog amp so quit possibly can make a difference. But please don't let this decend into the seedy world of burn in. And lets help scene in making the right choice for his situation.

Scene...... Thats far enough about the way the subwoofer looks and completely understand

Yes, yes and yes.

If it makes Mrs Scene happy, and helps ease open the cheque book I'm happy

Regarding the P12... I suspect the auto power off, going down to a 1W consumption, as opposed to the 12W consumption of the XXLS400 (I downloaded the product manuals) has something to do with the new European regulation on standby power consumption.

 

[Deleted member 116933]

I really wouldnt worry to much. I work from home and the Imac i use, uses slightly more power than that (basically a hair dryer) and see only £15-20 increase in billing.

The auto on/off things can be really annoying any how, going off through a move, hairing them pop in and out . The best i've come across was my siesmic 110. It never went off during a film no matter the volume.

Really the best on/off is a 12 volt trigger system.... But i dont know if the bk 400 has this or not.

I really wouldn't worry my sub stays on all the time and really makes no diffference to the electric bill. leaveing your sky box on costs more!

I would be more concerned with the power on tap and agree with an earlier post that 300w for a sealed cab sub of its size is not really enough and i think it will noticeably lose control with more complex and demanding passages of a film. Like my rel q150 did with films. I think the new P12 will be more for music not movies.

 

[scene]

I really wouldnt worry to much. I work from home and the Imac i use, uses slightly more power than that (basically a hair dryer) and see only £15-20 increase in billing.

The auto on/off things can be really annoying any how, going off through a move, hairing them pop in and out . The best i've come across was my siesmic 110. It never went off during a film no matter the volume.

Really the best on/off is a 12 volt trigger system.... But i dont know if the bk 400 has this or not.

I really wouldn't worry my sub stays on all the time and really makes no diffference to the electric bill. leaveing your sky box on costs more!

I would be more concerned with the power on tap and agree with an earlier post that 300w for a sealed cab sub of its size is not really enough and i think it will noticeably lose control with more complex and demanding passages of a film. Like my rel q150 did with films. I think the new P12 will be more for music not movies.

Thanks for that. That's sort of what I was thinking. No the Sub doesn't have a 12V trigger - ho hum. But I might be able to do something with my power block - the Belkin Pure-AV unit - though I'm not 100% convinced as both the AV Amp and the Sub are "high current" devices, I think, and I only have one socket for a high current device. *scratch_one-s_head*

 

[Deleted member 116933]

you could always get a timer plug? £10-15 from a hardware store.

see link (sorry its a bit long) it has a sven day programer for on and off

http://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-digital-programmable-7-day-timer-240v/50676?kpid=50676&cm_mmc=Google-_-Product%20Listing%20Ads-_-Sales%20Tracking-_-sales%20tracking%20url&kpid=50676&cm_mmc=Google-_-Shopping%20-%20Electrical-_-Shopping%20-%20Electrical&gclid=CjwKEAiA3IKmBRDFx-P_rLyt6QUSJACqiAN8VdfGCmgbwolsuM8YwuimfqqUgazZQhcGnmaVW91eRRoCU8nw_wcB

 

[scene]

you could always get a timer plug? £10-15 from a hardware store.

see link (sorry its a bit long) it has a sven day programer for on and off

http://www.screwfix.com/p/masterplug-digital-programmable-7-day-timer-24...

Got a couple of timer plugs already, funnily enough.

I was more thinking of one of those plugs that switches off everything connected to it when the main device is switched off...

 

[Deleted member 116933]

Ah i see! that would work..... all you need to do then is order it.....!

 

[scene]

Ah i see! that would work..... all you need to do then is order it.....!

And that is the plan!

 

[scene]

At last! It's here *biggrin* One brand spanking new xxls400-df!
Little bit twitchy, as the box has a huge tear and how in one side. Not good. Think DPD have been a bit incautious with it. I'm hoping that it's just damage caused to the box by something ordering against it.

Looks OK inside, no visible damage to the sub. Need to plumb it all in and check it out. Fingers crossed.

 

[bigboss]

*drinks*