Forward or downward firing sub woofers

[fayeanddavid]

Yes - I too am interested in this, especially as I'm trying to decide between a (ported) BK Monolith and the (unported) BK XXLS-400. Both Downfiring models, I might add.

Scene

Pretty much where we are as well, both excellent pieces of kit I understand, but which one??

Someone please!!

 

[CnoEvil]

I prefer bass to sound tight and fast...even for movies, but that's a personal thing. Others want to shake the room. I like the sub to blend in as subtly as possible and not draw attention to itself...except when called for. It is possible to get amazing bass from a small sealed box eg Paradigm Seismic 110 and Velodyne SPL 800R. It just takes a very powerful amp and a lot of cone movement to make up for the lack of cubic inches...but it canny break the laws of physics. At any given size of cabinet, you can get more bass with a ported design, and David has described some of the pitfalls

Yes, I understand the view and comments, is it night and day between ported and sealed do you think, as a comparison between two of"identical" standing?

As in do you go "wow that sealed sub is so much faster/tighter than the other ported model you used, however am I missing something at the lower register?" or is it so much more subtle than that, given most people on this Home Cinema thread would be using a sub in terms of av presentation, clearly the stereo audiophile would be going the sealed route if I understand correctly?

Quite important in my tiny head to understand this as a newsub is my likely next move

If you are hoping that someone is going to give you "the answer", it's not going to happen.
Audiophiles can't even agree on what constitutes "night and day!".

A well designed ported sub will out perform a poorly designed sealed one.

If music is on the cards, go sealed... if not, it's less important. This is one that you may just have to make up your own mind on (with demos).

FWIW I wouldn't go with a ported sub for my own use.

Cno

 

[scene]

Thanks CnoEvil

Trouble is, the BK Monolith and XXLS400 are both well designed subs - so it doesn't ease up the choice. Actually, thinking about it, and IIRC, BK Elec themselves recommend the XXLS400 (and unported) if the majority of your listening is music and the Monolith (and ported) if the majority of your listenening is movies.

But...

 

[fayeanddavid]

Thanks CnoEvil

Trouble is, the BK Monolith and XXLS400 are both well designed subs - so it doesn't ease up the choice. Actually, thinking about it, and IIRC, BK Elec themselves recommend the XXLS400 (and unported) if the majority of your listening is music and the Monolith (and ported) if the majority of your listenening is movies.

But...

Scene

That's what I have heard/read but...............

Need to hear both subjectively side by side to gain any real insight I guess!

Apparently the XXLS400 is more rhythmic and "tighter" with music, but does not have the low end grunt and SPL of the Monolith

And the Monolith goes lower with more "slam" than the XXLS400.............

I get confused because it seems that rhythm, tautness and slam are all from the same school, and the dynamics would be a function of the amplification of the sub.............?

 

[MattSPL]

If the sub is for maximum depth and room shaking, watching movies at physical volume levels, then the Monolith will probably be hard to beat at the price. Especially if you have a larger room.

If musicality, detail and precision are top of your list, then the sealed XXLS400 will be the better of the 2 subs.
Im sure the XXLS400 will still be a serious room shaker if required, with its 12 inch driver

You could also consider second hand?
Ive seen some pretty serious subs on the used market. This would allow you a fairly high end sub for similar money.

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Hello to all!

I am newly arrived in these places and live in Portugal, I'm in the process of buying a sub to complete my 5.0 system ... Will be this time that I get a 5.1 system .......? I'll be honest I have always considered a sub FF instead of DF, because I live in an apartment on the 4th floor and 3 where someone lives ... I fear that DF sub will transmit a lot vibration directly into the ground ...?! someone has a neighbor from above with a DF sub ...???? GOOD EASTER!

 

[CnoEvil]

Hello to all!

I am newly arrived in these places and live in Portugal, I'm in the process of buying a sub to complete my 5.0 system ... Will be this time that I get a 5.1 system .......? I'll be honest I have always considered a sub FF instead of DF, because I live in an apartment on the 4th floor and 3 where someone lives ... I fear that DF sub will transmit a lot vibration directly into the ground ...?! someone has a neighbor from above with a DF sub ...???? GOOD EASTER!

Welcome HFO and Happy Easter to you as well.

Check out an Auralex Gramma to help with isolation, or failing that, a thick Granite slab (2-3 ins thick)...or both (as in my case).

 

[Hi-FiOutlaw]

Thanks for the tip CnoEvil !
what remains now is to decide which sub to buy ...

 

[Anonymous]

Just to address the original post. According to BK Electronics DF or FF configurations make no difference on either ported

http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/Monolith-DF+&FF+.htm

or sealed

http://www.bkelec.com/HiFi/Sub_Woofers/XXLS400.htm

subwoofers as they offer their products in both styles and say the performance is the same.

This can't account for higher end subs though.

Will

 

[basshead]

just to add my quick feelings on the subject - i have a bk monolith DF. i went for the DF as it protects the cone from being damanged. BK informed me that it makes no difference to the sound as long as the sub is in a large room and you're sitting over a meter from the sub (or something like that)

as far as ported vs sealed goes............ my oppinions go against the grain, i much prefer a ported sub for music. all the sealed ones i tried just didnt go low enough or create enough of a feeling of scale.

this may just be my taste in music though. lots of D'nB dubstep and techno, where the ported design really does allow for deep bass. i have no desire to get perfect accuracy in any of my hi-fi, i want a fun sound always and the BK monolith certainly gives me that i dont want a polite bass, i want a slap you around the face and twist your guts bass.

please, no one take the 'sealed for music, ported for movies' rule seriously. it really is just a matter of personnal taste as to which people prefer.

 

[scene]

Thanks for that basshead. My choice of DF (when I get it!) has also been determined by the need to prevent small people from damaging the cone so easily. Also, the chest-like appearance of a down-firer was easier to win OH approval...

Good point on the sealed vs. ported.

Out of interest, what kit have you got your Monolith partnered with and how big is your listening room?