Subwoofer to match my KEF/Yamaha setup

[mannenigata]

Hi all

I am looking to buy a subwoofer to get some more punch in my setup, both for watching movies and listening to music.

My current setup:

Front: KEF XQ40
Back: KEF XQ10
Center: KEF XQ50

Receiver: Yamaha Z7

Budget: £800 (I can stretch the budget if needed)

I have read a lot of good stuff about SVS, and was thinking about getting the 'SVS PC12-NSD' (the cylinder).

Then I started thinking about going for a KEF sub to get a all KEF setup.

I then notised that the B&W ASW610 got the "Best subwoofer up to £700, Awards 2011" here at whathifi.

Hmm.. Any comments/thoughts/tips would be highly appreciated. What is the best match for my current setup?

Br

 

[bigboss]

1) I've heard good things about SVS subwoofers as well, & it should definitely be on your shortlist for demo.

2) It's not essential to have subwoofers from the same brand as the speakers. Of course, there are aesthetics advantages though.

3) Also consider to demo B&W PV1D and Monitor Audio AW12 & RXW12.

4) If you don't mind an ex-demo product, the REL R328 is very special & would be my choice:

http://www.petertyson.co.uk/ebuttonz/ebz_product_pages/rel_r328_ex_demonstration.shtml

 

[Frank Harvey]

You have three SVS to choose from. The SB12 is the smallest, and uses a 400w amp to drive a 12" unit in a sealed box. Sealed boxes can be integrated into rooms and speaker system easier. The PB12 NSD is the same as the SB12 but in a much larger, ported box. This will reach much deeper. The PC12 NSD again uses the same amp and driver, but placed into a cylindrical cabinet that is closer in volume to the PB12 NSD, but takes up less floor space. This one will also reach deeper. The latter two will reach deeper than any of the subs you have mentioned. A little more care is needed to set up a ported sub in your room.

Alternatively, the KEF R400b, which is nearer to the size of the SB12 is another sealed sub, but uses dual 12" drivers in a force cancelling arrangement in order to remove cabinet resonances so that it's output is unaffected by its box.

If you shop around, you should be able to find, within your budget, a few B grade bits and bobs, like the Monitor Audio GXW15, which uses a 15" bass driver in a sealed box.

Any sub can be incorporated not any system, but it's the room you need to worry about. You need to find the best part of the room to place the sub in order to get the most even response from it, and then use your receiver's room EQ to flatten out any peaks in it's output. Obviously this is don't automatically for you during the auto setup sequence.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

I have one of the SVS subwoofers, the PC-12 Plus, and I'm very happy with it. But staying within your £800-ish budget, consider also the Tannoy TS2.12 and the Velodyne EQ-Max 12. The Tannoy has dual cancelling 12-inch drivers. Both have recently been favourably reviewed here in What Hi-Fi and also in Home Cinema Choice magazine by Adam Rayner.

By the way, how big is your room?

 

[Pittodriered]

Another to consider is the BKElec XXLS400. Mines arrived yesterday to replace a Monitor Audio R370HD. It's bigger than I expected but not too big. I alo bought an anti mode which I just away to set up. I've the same amp as you so will let you know how it sounds once set up.

 

[mannenigata]

Hi. Thanks for the feedback

Size of the room (length x width x height): 6.5m x 4.5m x 2.20m

I will read up on some of the sub´s you have suggested, and see if I can get a demo of some of them.

Regarding the budget..

After reading up on the "whathifi awards 2011", and the winner of the + £700 class (Velodyne SPL-1000 Ultra), I have desided to set the budget around £1500. I will try and get a demo of the SPL-1000 next week.

Anyway,if you have more suggestions for subs in the £1500 range, please let me know

Regards.

 

[Frank Harvey]

I think a few subs mentioned might struggle a little in that size room.

That sort of budget gets you a whole other dimension. For depth you're looking at the SVS PC12 Plus or the PB12 Plus, and for speed, the KK Sound MX700 MkIII. You can still look at the Monitor Audio GXW15.

 

[Son_of_SJ]

Fairly big room! Now that you have increased your budget you could also consider the £1,300 Jamo D600 (if you can actually find one!), which has a 15" driver and was very well reviewed here in the May 2012 issue "It's fast and accurate, and capable of truly sofa-shuddering bass" or maybe TWO Tannoy TS2.12 subwoofers? There is some debate about whether to have one larger subwoofer or two smaller ones; a good dealer should be able to advise.

10:23 am - I've just actually SPOKEN to David at Frank Harvey Hi-Fi! I am suitably starstruck!!

12:35 pm - I've also just actually SPOKEN to Rick at Musicraft! Now I am doubly suitably starstruck!!!!