Older vs newer subwoofers

[nugget2014]

is there any noticeable difference in sound quality and such with subs that are say 4 years old, compared to a sub that is brand new and released in 2016?

i would of thought so, even a small amount. but i want to make sure.

 

[bigboss]

I don't think there has been any design or technology breakthrough in the subwoofer world for a few years.

 

[nugget2014]

I don't think there has been any design or technology breakthrough in the subwoofer world for a few years.

interesting.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Bigboss is correct. Hence subwoofer models from about three years ago are still available to buy, unlike televisions from thee years ago!

 

[FunkyMonkey]

I have a subwoofer from 2005ish. It's sound as a pound. Modern ones have DSP. Mine does not. But who cares? The av receiver takes care of that.

 

[mikemar]

About to build my long awaited audio/video room. Unpacked the Miller & Kreisel V1B sub and found the driver's surround totally desintegrated. So I ask, replace the driver for $65 -100 or sell the cabinet on Ebay and get a new sub? Which is the better value?

 

[bigboss]

How much does it cost new? What about getting a used one?

 

[Series1boy]

Had my focal sub for 12 years and they are still selling the same spec sub just in a different looking case.

 

[CnoEvil]

I think that over the last decade or so, cone material has got stronger and the digital amps driving them, have got more powerful. This means that you can get infeasibly powerful performance from smaller cabinets..eg. Paradigm Seismic 110 or Velodyne SPL 800 Ultra.

 

[Deleted member 2457]

I've had the PV1 for 9 years now.

 

[ellisdj]

Sealed box subwoofers have improved loads over the last 10 years.

It's not about design improvements as such more what can be done with a amplifier in terms of controlling the performance of the drivers in the box.

Comparing rels of years old compared to some newer sealed subs there is no comparison.

 

[super]

About to build my long awaited audio/video room. Unpacked the Miller & Kreisel V1B sub and found the driver's surround totally desintegrated. So I ask, replace the driver for $65 -100 or sell the cabinet on Ebay and get a new sub? Which is the better value?

Where did you store the sub and for how long ?

 

[eggontoast]

is there any noticeable difference in sound quality and such with subs that are say 4 years old, compared to a sub that is brand new and released in 2016?

i would of thought so, even a small amount. but i want to make sure.

The latest subwoofers utilise class D amplifier modules and have a much higher power output (although some manufacturers ones are a bit flaky). They also have DSP room equalisation too, especially handy if you are using it in a 2 channel setup.

 

[ideal av]

i`d say quite a bit depends on which manufacturer of subwoofers you choose

JL Audio for instance have recently re-vamped the Fathom and Gotham series, the new V2`s have more power, better driver suspension, 18 band DARO eq amongst other improvements and these differences are quite audibly noticeable tbh, so i`d say yes, you can heat a difference between these and the similar model from 4 years ago

Allan

 

[mikemar]

About to build my long awaited audio/video room. Unpacked the Miller & Kreisel V1B sub and found the driver's surround totally desintegrated. So I ask, replace the driver for $65 -100 or sell the cabinet on Ebay and get a new sub? Which is the better value?

Where did you store the sub and for how long ?

It's been box-stored inside for most of 18 years. Was in a storage warehouse for about 5 but the cabinet doesn't have any dryness to it at all. The surround is desintegrated. Obviously they are not made any more but is it worth the 65-100 for a new driver? The newer amp technology just might be rendering it obsolete?

 

[Benedict_Arnold]

If it ain't broke don't mend it.

Or...

If it ain't broke keep improving it until it IS broke. (Then go out and buy a bigger louder faster shinier new one).